June 21, 2024

Fire Season: Why Solar + Storage is a Must Have

Fire season has arrived, and will continue to become a growing concern for the country at large and California in particular over the coming months. With rising temperatures and several fires already on the scene, California residents can expect to be on guard until this season is over, with now being the time to make plans. Preparedness is the name of the game when it comes to fire season, and there are steps that every homeowner can take to protect their homes and surrounding areas from a potential fire. With the addition of a solar + storage system on your home, you’ll be ready to go whether the power is on or out. Let’s investigate some of the potential challenges of fire season, and explore some proactive steps we can take to increase our home’s resilience.

Grid Stability in Fire Season

As fire season tends to follow the summer, we can usually expect to see fire activity as early as July, with the potential to extend through October. However, fire season is an unpredictable time, so there is of course no hard start and end date to the potential for wildfires. We have already had some fire activity this month, and with that in mind, It is a good idea for every California resident to have a plan and be prepared for more.

One major factor to keep in mind is that during the summer, the energy grid tends to struggle under the increased usage of homebound residents. With homes more full now than any other time of year, and with larger levels of energy consumption due to AC usage, it becomes more likely by the day that an issue will arise with utility power. We’ve seen what can happen when unstable conditions and aging equipment cause grid failures, so the more we can lighten the load the better. Solar systems are an excellent way to reduce the amount of energy you draw from the grid, as they enable you to generate, store, and export energy right from your home.

Outages Abound

During fire season, this grid instability will ultimately lead to outages, whether due to fire activity or actual grid failures. In any case, homes equipped with solar systems and battery storage will be able to maintain power even if the lights go out. This can be critical in the midst of fire season, for a number of reasons. With the power on, you can keep your devices powered, meaning you won’t lose contact with your friends and family who may be in the area, or concerned for your safety. You’ll also be able to maintain access to vital emergency information, like wildfire trackers or evacuation notices.

Crucially, if you have medical or mechanical devices that rely on power, you’ll be able to continue using them with battery power, even if your connection to the grid is interrupted or impeded by natural disaster. Outages are all but a guarantee in fire season, but with the proper equipment, you’ll be able to keep the lights on and your critical devices powered.

Be Prepared

To prepare for fire season, California homeowners should begin to make preparations in and around their homes. These simple steps can increase your resiliency against outages and fires, and ensure your family is prepared in the event of a fire.

Fire Season Game Plan

Defensible space is the name of the game when it comes to home fire safety. With a preparedness guide like this one from CAL FIRE, you can take the necessary steps to prepare the area around your home by removing flammable and combustible materials from within 100 feet of your house.

You should also have an evacuation plan in place, along with an emergency preparedness kit in case you are unable to leave your home for supplies. Planning ahead is the key to safety in the moment, and the more you are able to prepare for fire season, the more peace of mind you can enjoy as we get through the summer together.

Finally, a solar system can help you keep your devices charged, your battery system topped up and ready to go, and reduce overall grid reliance, which should hopefully contribute to a more stable grid overall. Together, these preparedness tips will help you achieve increased resilience, and put you in a better position to weather the upcoming fire season. To get started on the solar component of your fire preparedness plan, schedule a free consultation today.

Sustainable solar house with thumbnail of smartphone solar app and its offerings

Smart Power For Your Home

Solar energy generates tremendous benefits for you and the planet. We utilize the latest solar advancements that will not only help you save money, but will contribute to reducing your carbon footprint. Our goal is to make the solar process feel simple and easy, from the proposal to the installation and throughout the lifecycle of your system.
Get Started
Simply Solar Guarantee logoSimply Solar 25-Year Warranty logo

Contact Us Today

Choose Simply Solar

Why choose Simply Solar when there are so many commercial solar companies vying for your business?
  • Experience: With over 20 years in the industry, we have what it takes to build a solar system that will exceed your expectations.
  • Products and Partners: With industry-leading products, which we choose for their durability and outstanding performance, you can be sure that your solar panel system will last for many decades.
  • Expertise: Commercial solar companies hire out inexperienced contractors. Not Simply Solar! We handle the full site analysis, system engineering, permitting, installation, activation, monitoring, and maintenance of your solar system.
Smiling woman sitting at a computer wearing headphones with attached microphone
crossarrow-right