Loading NuWatt Energy...
We use your location to provide localized solar offers and incentives.
We serve MA, NH, CT, RI, ME, VT, NJ, PA, and TX
Loading NuWatt Energy...
NuWatt designs, installs, and manages solar, battery, heat pump, and EV charger systems across 9 states. One company, one warranty, one point of contact.
Get a Free Quote
Winter Storm Uri left 4.5 million TX homes without power for days. Hurricane Beryl knocked out 2.7 million Houston homes for up to 12 days. Your grid-tied solar panels produce zero power during outages. A battery changes everything.
If you have solar panels without a battery, your system automatically shuts off during a power outage. This is a required safety feature, not a malfunction. Your solar panels will sit idle on your roof while your home is dark.
The only solution: Add a battery backup system ($6,000-$17,000).
Federal 25D Solar/Battery ITC: Expired
The Section 25D residential solar investment tax credit expired December 31, 2025. There is no federal tax credit for solar panels or battery systems installed in 2026. TX utility rebates (Oncor, Austin Energy, CPS Energy) remain the primary financial incentive.
The ERCOT grid has experienced multiple catastrophic failures. Texas is uniquely vulnerable because it operates its own isolated grid with limited interstate connections.
Duration
4-7 days
Homes Affected
4.5 million homes
Deaths
246 confirmed
ERCOT grid collapse — frozen gas lines, power plants offline, rolling blackouts became sustained outages
Duration
1-3 days
Homes Affected
1.5 million homes
Deaths
87
Extreme cold, insufficient winterization progress since Uri. ERCOT issued emergency warnings.
Duration
2-12 days
Homes Affected
2.7 million (Houston)
Deaths
36
Cat 1 hurricane, CenterPoint infrastructure failures. Some Houston areas without power for 12 days.
Duration
Hours (rolling)
Homes Affected
Statewide alerts
Deaths
N/A
ERCOT issued 6 conservation appeals in summer 2023 due to record demand, tight generation margins.
Many Texas homeowners are shocked to discover their solar does not work during outages. These are the most common misconceptions.
Reality: No. Grid-tied solar systems without a battery automatically shut off during a power outage. This is a safety requirement (anti-islanding) to protect utility workers repairing power lines. Your solar panels produce zero usable electricity during an outage unless you have a battery.
Reality: No. Grid-tied inverters (SolarEdge, Enphase without battery) are designed to sync with grid frequency. When the grid goes down, the inverter shuts off within milliseconds. There is no manual override. You need a battery with an automatic transfer switch to create a local microgrid.
Reality: This is dangerous and does not work. Grid-tied inverters need stable, consistent frequency and voltage. A portable generator provides neither. Backfeeding through your panel is a code violation and fire hazard. A battery is the only safe, approved solution.
Four battery systems dominate the Texas market. Each has different strengths depending on your existing solar setup and backup needs.
Capacity
13.5 kWh
Continuous Power
11.5 kW continuous
Backup Runtime
8-12 hours (essentials)
Solar Integration: Built-in solar inverter (hybrid). Can charge from grid or solar.
TX Advantage: Highest continuous power output — can run AC during outage. Tesla app with Storm Watch auto-charges before predicted storms. Most popular battery in TX.
Capacity
5 kWh per unit (stackable)
Continuous Power
3.84 kW per unit
Backup Runtime
4-8 hours per unit (essentials)
Solar Integration: Works with Enphase microinverter systems. Modular — add units as needed.
TX Advantage: Modular design lets you start with one unit and add more. Perfect for Enphase solar homes. Multiple units stack for whole-home backup.
Capacity
15 kWh
Continuous Power
10 kW continuous
Backup Runtime
10-15 hours (essentials)
Solar Integration: Works with any inverter brand. Franklin aGate manages solar + grid + battery.
TX Advantage: Largest single-unit capacity. Auto generator integration for extended outages. Popular in hurricane-prone Gulf Coast areas.
Capacity
9.7 kWh (stackable)
Continuous Power
5 kW per unit
Backup Runtime
6-10 hours (essentials)
Solar Integration: Native with SolarEdge inverters. DC-coupled for higher efficiency.
TX Advantage: Best efficiency for SolarEdge solar systems (DC-coupled). Compact wall-mount design fits Texas garages.
You cannot back up everything — a single battery does not have enough capacity for a whole TX home. Prioritize these loads for your backup panel.
TX Summer Priority: In Texas, AC is a safety issue, not just comfort. Indoor temperatures can exceed 100\u00B0F during a summer outage. At minimum, plan to back up a window AC unit (500-600W) or ceiling fans. Full central AC backup requires a Tesla Powerwall 3 or stacked battery system.
| Load | Watts | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 150-400 | Critical |
| LED lights (10 bulbs) | 100 | Critical |
| Internet/router/modem | 30-50 | Critical |
| Phone chargers (4) | 40-80 | Critical |
| Window AC unit (5,000 BTU) | 500-600 | High |
| Central AC (3-ton) | 3,000-3,500 | High |
| Medical equipment (CPAP, O2) | 100-500 | Critical |
| Sump pump | 400-800 | High |
| Garage door opener | 400-600 | Moderate |
| EV charger (Level 2) | 7,200-9,600 | Low |
Limitation: Finite capacity (13.5 kWh Powerwall = 8-12 hours essentials). Extended 7+ day outages require solar recharging or stacked batteries.
Limitation: Fuel dependency (gas lines froze during Uri), noise, exhaust, annual maintenance ($200-$500), no daily savings, 10-20 second transfer delay.
For maximum protection in hurricane-prone Gulf Coast areas, pair a battery with a generator. The battery handles daily TOU savings and provides instant backup (0 second transfer). The generator kicks in for extended outages when the battery depletes. Franklin WholePower has native generator integration.
A battery is not just for outages. In Texas's deregulated market with TOU, free nights, and solar buyback plans, a battery generates daily savings — even when the grid is up.
Charge battery from solar during midday. Discharge during evening peak (2-7 PM) when rates are $0.18-$0.25/kWh. Avoid buying the most expensive electricity.
Annual savings: $300 - $600On TXU Free Nights or similar plans, charge battery from grid during free hours (9 PM - 6 AM). Discharge during daytime. Effectively stores free electricity for daytime use.
Annual savings: $400 - $800Export solar to grid at buyback rate ($0.04-$0.10/kWh) during midday surplus. Use battery for evening self-consumption instead of buying at $0.14-$0.20/kWh.
Annual savings: $200 - $400During ERCOT conservation events, wholesale prices spike to $5-$9/kWh. Battery discharges to reduce grid draw. Some REPs offer credits for demand response participation.
Annual savings: $50 - $200 (event-dependent)Total daily value: Combining TOU arbitrage, solar buyback optimization, and demand response participation, a battery in Texas can generate $600-$1,200/year in ongoing savings — on top of outage protection. At $12,500-$15,000 installed (no ITC), this yields a 10-15 year payback on economics alone, with outage protection as a bonus.
1 Battery
10-15 kWh
Fridge, lights, internet, phones, small window AC. Covers most 1-2 day TX outages. Recommended minimum.
2 Batteries
20-30 kWh
Everything above plus central AC, cooking, laundry. Full comfort for 1-2 days. Ideal for families with medical needs.
3+ Batteries
30-45 kWh
Full home backup including EV charging. With solar recharging, near-indefinite off-grid capability in TX sun.
The ERCOT grid has failed multiple times. The question is not if it will happen again, but when. Get a free solar + battery assessment with outage protection sizing for your home.
Get Your Free Battery Quote