Consumer info requests for solar on the rise

Consumer interest in solar panels and on-site battery storage is surging as a result of extreme weather events and grid shortages.

Events ranging from wildfires and drought in the West to freezes and floods in the South have caused significant disruption to the electric grid this year, and homeowners are buying solar energy and home storage systems at a pace not seen before.

According to SolarReviews.com, California homeowners requested solar estimates between June 30 and Aug. 6 at a rate 358% higher than the same period in 2020. The state of California has been experiencing wildfires and record drought.

Californians have also experienced numerous power outages as energy companies have cut power during dry conditions and high winds to curb the risk of fire. Customers have also been asked to cut usage during peak demand, and rolling blackouts have been enacted.

SolarReviews also reported a 919% increase in solar estimate requests in Oregon year-over-year from June 25 to 30. This follows record high temperatures in the state, with Portland hitting an all-time high of 116 degrees earlier this summer.

Quote requests in Texas jumped 850% year-over-year from Feb. 13 to 17, a time when multi-day power cuts led to more than 150 deaths.

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