- During extreme weather conditions, blackout happens. The solar panel and batteries could serve efficiently.
- Renewable energy sources like solar and wind power are weather-dependent power sources.
- There is an increased demand for solar panel systems due to electricity shortfall incidents.
- What causes blackout? It happens because residents demand more electricity during hotter summer and colder winters.
To know more about Renewable Energy Resources, read: What Are Renewable Energy Sources? – Types of Green Energy.
Experts have stated that the bigger and conventional electricity systems can be saved from blackouts with smaller renewable energy systems.
During the month of February, on Monday evening blackout happened nearby the home of Mauricio Montoya in Texas. The power supply restored after three days. During this time period, the home of Montoya stayed warm due to the availability of electricity. The extended family of Montoya and his neighbors approached him during the blackout. The electricity was available due to series of solar panels and batteries Montoya had at his home. The solar power system was nothing but a lifesaver for them.
The problems related to the energy crisis are intensifying due to ongoing climate changes leading to extreme weather events and warmer Earth.
For more information read: Is Transition To Clean Energy Crucial For Our Survival?
The smaller solar system along with storage batteries can provide electricity at the domestic level. The power gets stored in batteries through solar panels fixed on the rooftop. Thinking wide the technique of solar power system can be integrated into a virtual power plant that would be used to provide electricity on the bigger level during the blackout. Some states of the United States including Vermont, California are testing this theory excluding Texas.
Renewable energy sources like solar and wind power are weather-dependent power sources. The real query revolved around the question like how to store and utilize power produced by renewable energy sources on a bigger level. This problem got solved by the latest technology being used in the production of solar batteries. Utility-level storage batteries are costing 70% less than before.
An energy analyst firm in the United States reported that the country has increased its energy storage capacity 10 times since 2010 and it will be sixfold before 2025.
A local storage expert in Wood Mackenzie Chloe Holden has told that many homes have the potential to install a solar system and utilize the stored power capacity.
People started looking for solar panels and batteries after the blackout in California during 2019 and 2020. There was an increased sale of small-scale solar systems that could get recharged the following sunny day. The director of the California Solar and Storage Association, Bernadette del Chiaro has mentioned that approximately 60,000 homes will have a solar panel installed on the rooftop.
There is an increased demand for solar panel systems due to electricity shortfall incidents. The question is what causes blackout? It happens because residents demand more electricity during hotter summer and colder winters. Whatever causes a blackout, the energy crisis is often met by fossil fuel-based power plants. But by adopting virtual power plant theory the energy crisis can be overcome.
In Texas, approximately 60% of homes are heated with conventional electricity. Those homes that have solar power systems don’t put stress on conventional electricity demand. However, the extreme weather events have stressed out the grid station. A policy director of national solar and battery company, Amy Heart has stated that virtual power plants are indeed helpful during blackouts.
Also check out: Renewable Alternative Energy Resources – Advantages and Disadvantages
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