Ice Storms in Texas

Texas is no stranger to severe weather, with hurricanes, tornadoes, and extreme heat waves regularly occurring. However, in recent years, the state has been hit by increasingly hazardous winter weather storms that are causing power outages and wreaking havoc on the electrical grid. Ice storms in Texas are one type of particular winter storm that has caused damage and gained more headlines in recent years.

Ice storms occur when raindrops fall through a layer of freezing air near the ground, causing them to freeze upon impact with surfaces such as roads, power lines, and trees. The resulting accumulation of ice can cause significant damage to infrastructure, disrupt transportation, and knock out power for days or even weeks.

Texas experienced a devastating ice storm in February 2021, which resulted in widespread power outages and water shortages. The storm, caused by a polar vortex that swept across the state, caused temperatures to drop below freezing for several days, leading to frozen pipes and water treatment plants. The state’s power grid was also severely affected, with millions of Texans left without power for several days.

This ice storm was not an isolated incident in Texas. The state has a history of ice storms, with notable events occurring in 2011, 2013, and 2015. These storms have caused significant damage to the electrical grid, resulting in power outages that have affected millions of people across the state. So over the past ten years, Texas has had its fair share of ice storms.

Ice and Solar

So, what does this mean for solar? It’s an opportunity to prove that solar array systems can help residents maintain power, even when the grid goes out. Texas residents can ensure they have power when unexpected weather hits by owning a solar Solar energy system with battery backup storage.

Solar panels can still produce energy even in cold and cloudy conditions, making them a viable option for winter weather. In some cases, snow and ice can actually refract sunlight, causing the panels to produce even more energy. Solar panels are built to withstand all weather conditions, and snow and ice are not issues for well-built arrays. Most of the time, the ice that accumulates during a freeze melts off the panels very quickly; as soon as the sun can warm up the panels.

However, the real benefit of solar with battery storage is that it provides a reliable backup power source during outages caused by ice storms or other extreme weather events. The battery storage system allows excess energy generated by the solar panels to be stored for later use, ensuring that residents can access power even when the grid is down.

There are many advantages to installing a solar array system with battery storage in Texas. It can reduce the strain on the electrical grid during peak demand periods, which is vulnerable to failure. It can help reduce energy costs for residents. Property owners can sell excess energy generated by the solar panels back to the grid or use it when electricity rates are higher – learn more about net metering in Texas.