The holidays are an exciting time, but they also usher in the extreme weather of the winter months. Even states with relatively mild climates can face unexpectedly brutal winter storms, like Texas experienced last February. Winter Storm Uri abruptly shut down most of the state's power grid for a week, prompting a devasting series of rolling blackouts.

Outages and blackouts are on homeowners' minds. SunPower recently conducted a nationwide survey of 1,500 homeowners and found that people in 2 of every 5 households worry about power outages on a monthly basis. Of those considering solar, 70% said they plan to include a battery energy storage system. 

Those homeowners naturally find solar storage solutions like SunPower’s SunVault™ storage system very attractive. Many people don't realize it, but most solar-powered homes are tied to the grid and are affected by blackouts, just like other homes. The difference is that solar homes can use a solar battery to keep the lights on and necessary appliances running when other homes grind to a halt. Solar-powered homes also help reduce strain on the grid during extreme weather events such as heatwaves.

Reliable solar power brings peace of mind, but it also brings savings. Electricity rates are rising across the U.S. and generating clean, free energy on your own roof helps reduce your need for expensive grid power and can and lower your electricity bills. With SunPower® panels – the most efficient on the market1 – you can generate more power and greater savings. A SunPower solar system’s monthly payment may be lower than your electric bill today. You could pay as little as $79 per month for a SunPower solar system and then recoup the upfront cost with savings in as little as 10 years.2

While SunVault is handy in a blackout, it can also add to the day-to-day savings homeowners see with a SunPower system. That's because a SunVault™ system allows you to store solar energy during the day and use it at night. In addition, excess energy that is generated beyond what you use or store in your solar battery can, in many regions of the U.S., help you offset your electric bill through net metering.3

Exploring the advantages of solar + storage by scheduling a free online consultation will be one of the most stress-free things you do this holiday season. SunPower’s Design Studio makes it easy for homeowners to lay out their own system, showing them how many solar panels will fit and the best places for them to go.

Homeowners also need long-term assurance that their investment in solar will weather storms and the usual wear and tear of time. SunPower does that. Our Complete Confidence Warranty is considered the best in the solar industry. Part of the reason is that SunPower systems are designed and warranted by one company, so there's no confusion about who will take care of you going forward. And as the only company with 36+ years of dedicated solar experience, SunPower has proven it takes care of its customers. 

Homeowners can gift themselves with the confidence to handle anything Mother Nature sends their way and save money this holiday season when they purchase a SunPower Equinox® solar system with SunVault™ storage by Dec. 31, 2021. Qualifying purchases can get a $1,500 VISA Reward Card Rebate, while those who opt for a SunPower Equinox® solar system alone can get a $1,000 VISA Reward Card Rebate.

This post originally appeared on the SunPower Resources Blog