Archives: Resources

Grid Failure Checklist

4 Min Read IES Texas Solar cares about the Health and Safety of our community of Solar Energy Readers. Below are a few tips to stay safe. With the heat in Texas hitting historic highs, the grid has been pushed to the limit. ERCOT has been calling on Texans to conserve power while the power plants are skipping scheduled maintenance in order to meet the demand for power. With the power plants running non-stop, the skipped maintenance is bound to add up and experts are saying that the more that maintenance is put off, the longer the next outages will…

Why are Energy Bills so High for Texans?

Time to read: 8 minutes  Rising energy prices have left a lot of Texans scratching their heads. Why are these prices so high? How much higher are they than last year? Is there a way to offset these costs? The truth is that there are actually several factors that contribute to these increases. In this article, we’ll be exploring the reasons why Texans have been seeing a large increase in their energy prices.  Something for perspective As a concrete example of what Texans are experiencing, we’ve provided a portion of a Texas resident’s PEC electric bill that details their power…

CPS Energy Pricing and ERCOT: Temperatures and Prices Rise as Texan Morale Plummets 

Time to read: 5 minutes Bills Up 50% Amid Record Heat Getting away from the Grid’s neglect with the options from IES Texas Solar can make you less dependent on their poor choices.  Texans are experiencing record temperatures in the 100’s and seeing energy prices skyrocket all over Texas. With the aging grid, poor maintenance, and gas prices on the rise, Texans are forced to bust their budget to cool their homes to remain safe. But when it comes to ERCOT and the grid, one thing is abundantly clear; safety isn’t free. We continue to bear the brunt of the…

Residential Solar Panel Installation

Time to read: 13 minutes What Happens During a Residential Installation? When someone says “solar powered”, the first images that often spring to mind are of homes with solar panels. This leads to the question, “how on earth did those get there and how did they do it?” With temperatures reaching extremes, more and more people are beginning to install solar powered systems in their homes. This is especially true in Texas where the power grid is struggling to keep up with the scorching heat waves that are already rolling across the lone-star state. When a customer considers joining the…

Off-Grid Solar Powered Systems

Time to read: 11 minutes Energy independence is a hot topic these days, and not just because it’s summertime! When someone talks about installing solar, they usually think of it as a way to reduce their electric bills and to save a ton of money while going green. The solar powered systems that we’re talking about in today’s post certainly go a long way towards the goal of energy independence, but they take it to the next level.    Off-grid solar powered systems are solar installations that a big portion of customers ask about. These systems are especially appealing if you…

Rising Heat and Rising Prices: A Solution for Rising Energy Costs for Texans

What can Texans do when it comes to extreme temperatures and rising energy bills? Time to read: 7 minutes The temperature is rising and so are energy prices. When six power plants shut down due to ERCOT putting off maintenance just a-month-and-a-half ago, Texans saw a massive increase in energy bills as a result. Evidently this was a taste of the summer to come. Despite ERCOT’s claims that they would make changes to benefit Texas residents, it seems that they still struggle with providing enough power. ERCOTS handling of the power grid and searing temperatures have caused large increases in…

The Great Myth of Solar Panels and Batteries

Time to read: 11 minutes When it comes to solar panels and batteries, customers often have concerns over how these panels and batteries work with each other. Do you need both solar panels and batteries or can you just have the panels? What about generators? What’s the deal when the grid goes down? In this blog post, IES Energy Solutions Manager Justin Charles talks about one of the greatest myths in the world of solar energy - the relationship between panels and batteries. Justin has 12 years of experience in the alternative energy space, specifically the solar industry, and runs…

Mini-Blog/Blogette 5: PPA (Power Purchase Agreement)

Cost should never be an obstacle when you consider making the switch to solar. In our series of posts on the financial resources available, there are six very viable commercial financing options. Bank Loans Cash Capital Lease Operating Lease PACE Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) This installment in the commercial finance series deals with the last common finance option: PPA’s (short for Power Purchase Agreements). While PPA’s are more complex than other commercial financing options, they are also extremely beneficial. Next Article If you are considering switching to solar for your home or business, reach out to us by going to our website, iestxsolar.com, or by…

Mini-Blog/Blogette 4: Operating Leases

When considering the switch to solar power for your business, financing can seem like the biggest obstacle you face on the path to this energy solution. Cost, however, is a much easier hurdle to overcome than you might realize. In our series of posts on the financial resources available to you, there are six very viable commercial financing options. Bank Loans Cash Capital Lease Operating Lease PACE Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) In our next post in the series, we once again team up with Justin Charles as he takes us on a journey through the next option you should consider when…

Mini-Blog/Blogette 3: Capital Leases

Choosing the correct way to finance your solar powered system can seem like a daunting task. Fortunately, experts like Justin Charles with IES Texas Solar are here to help. With that said, there are six very viable commercial financing options to choose from when making the switch to solar. Bank Loans Cash Capital Lease Operating Lease PACE Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) In the next post in our commercial finance series, Justin Charles gives us an in-depth look at the next financing option available to you: Capital Leases. Next Article If you are considering switching to solar for your home or business, reach out…