Going solar in Texas is a great investment – saving on electricity bills and reducing your carbon footprint. But it's important to be cautious and informed to avoid scams and make the best decision for your home. The rising incidence of fraud and bankruptcies in solar is well documented. One-star ratings on Solar Reviews have [...] The post Four Ways to Protect Your Home Against Solar ‘Bad Actors’ appeared first on Longhorn Solar ..read more

For most people, installing a rooftop solar system might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience – usually, that’s all it takes. Solar energy systems last 25 years or longer and with regular maintenance they’ll often churn out power for another 25. But Robert B of New Braunfels, TX, is now on his fourth solar system, his first [...] The post New Braunfels Homeowner Prevents Power Outages and Saves with Solar and Battery Backup appeared first on Longhorn Solar ..read more

At the peak of the Hurricane Beryl power outage, more than 2 million Houston-area residents struggled to get by in the sweltering summer heat without electricity. The delayed restoration of power — still not complete — highlights the advantages of having rooftop solar power paired with battery storage. Those equipped with their own power generation and backup systems were able to weather the hurricane and its aftermath with some degree of normalcy. Hurricane Beryl caused extensive storm damage throughout the Houston area. Photo: Meridith Kohut/NY Times Solar panels aren’t immune to storm dam ..read more

It’s not your imagination: It’s really hot out there. Texans are experiencing a heat wave the likes of which we haven’t seen since, believe it or not – ever. Not surprisingly, we are not alone, as the entire country and especially the Southwest is in the grips of dangerously hot conditions. Whether or not you already have solar panels on your roof, the question is, how can you prepare for the worst? First, the weather stats May 2024 was earth’s 12th hottest month in a row, making 2024 the hottest on record since records were first recorded in 1850, according to climatologists. During April 202 ..read more

If you’ve been frustrated by the number of utility texts and emails you receive every time the mercury spikes, there’s a solution: the Tesla Virtual Power Plant (VPP). Tesla’s VPP program gives energy consumers in deregulated areas in Texas the opportunity to help stabilize the grid. And for the first time, consumers get paid – often very highly — for accelerating the transition of the Texas power grid to renewable energy. So, what’s a Virtual Power Plant?  In a nutshell, a Virtual Power Plant is a network of decentralized energy resources, seamlessly connected to form a unified, intellig ..read more

The truth behind residential solar energy In recent years, Texans have been increasingly choosing to go solar as a way to both reduce electricity costs and protect their homes from grid instability. A residential solar system is a great way to hedge against rising utility bills, and when paired with battery backup can provide energy independence during our hot Texas summers and increasingly unpredictable winters.  But despite the growing popularity of solar, several myths and misconceptions persist. In this blog, we aim to debunk some of these common myths and shed some light on the truth ..read more

Homebuilders have a lot on their plate. Why should they add solar to the list? If you’ve been considering adding a solar option to your home designs, you may have questions. Meet Juan Facundo, manager of our homebuilders program at Longhorn Solar. Juan has years of experience in construction and solar and can answer any question you have. In this educational video, he answers three of the top questions for homebuilders in Texas: Why should builders include solar in their new homes in Texas? What is the solar installation process like for homebuilders? Why choose Longhorn as your solar partne ..read more

Springtime in Texas means two things: bluebonnets and hail storms. While the state flower of Texas is a welcome sight in Central Texas, spring hail often wreaks havoc on our homes. Fortunately, most solar panels are built to withstand hailstorms, but roofs are not always as tough. (We’ll walk you through the steps of solar inspection after a storm later in this post.) When Does Hail Hit in Texas? Hail season spans from March to June in Central Texas, with peak activity in April and May. Through a phenomenon known as “updrafts,” high winds during a severe thunderstorm can carry rain to a higher ..read more

Positive word of mouth and referrals are highly influential in the solar buying decision. And they pay extra dividends for Longhorn Solar customers. Remember that new restaurant you couldn’t stop telling people about? Or the new car you bought on the recommendation of your car buff friend? Word of mouth is crucial for many buying decisions. In fact, 74% of consumers say word of mouth is a key influence in their purchase decisions. For many small businesses, positive word of mouth is a key part of their marketing strategy. As a Texas-owned and operated business, Longhorn Solar is highly depende ..read more

In Texas, where winter (and summer) power outages are becoming increasingly common, many Longhorn customers are installing battery storage to protect their home from weather-related grid events. Installing a battery backup system with a solar power system allows homes and businesses to store excess clean energy generated during the day for use at night or during a power outage.  Texans had a wakeup call about the unreliability of our electricity grid during the winter of 2021, when power outages across the state were responsible for hundreds of deaths. It became clear that the state’s sta ..read more