Texas Is Next State To Get Sunnova Solar + Storage

By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent

Texas is one of the sleeping giants of the solar industry. With it high isolation rates, it’s been predicted that given its way, solar from Texas could actually power the entire country. In other words, it’s a powerhouse waiting to happen.

And now homeowners in the state have the opportunity to put solar + storage at their homes thanks to an expansion by a homegrown solar company that is slowly expanding its national footprint.

Sunnova Energy Corporation announced today the expansion of its Sunnova SunSafe solar plus battery storage service offering to homeowners in the company’s home state of Texas. Sunnova is one of the first residential solar plus storage service providers to offer solar plus battery storage in the Lone Star State. In addition, Sunnova is the only residential solar service provider to offer a 25-year solar plus battery storage contract with a comprehensive warranty and performance guarantee ensuring long-term peace of mind for homeowners.

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“There are two things you should never bet against—adoption of technology and consumer choice. And in Texas we’re seeing that firsthand with the demand of residential solar plus storage. Sunnova’s newly available solar plus battery storage offering provides Texan homeowners with an added layer of energy reliability and freedom that utilities can’t provide,” said William J. (John) Berger, Chief Executive Officer of Sunnova Energy Corporation. “Texas has been the epicenter for transformative energy technologies for years and, as such, it’s only fitting that homeowners across our Lone Star State will play a critical role in our mission to help power energy independence.”

Sunnova’s SunSafe offering in Texas is a customized solar plus battery storage technology system designed to replace much of the energy homeowners normally consume from the electrical grid, day and night. It maximizes the use of the energy produced by the solar system, significantly reducing consumer dependence upon the grid and in some cases eliminating it all together. Unlike solar-only power systems that do not have a battery, it will also continue to produce and store energy when the power grid is down or idle, giving homeowners back-up power for their critical loads.

“In Texas, we’ve seen firsthand the devastation caused by storms and hurricanes, and homeowners across the state want to ensure they’re protecting their families from extended power outages and electricity instability,” said Michael Grasso, Chief Marketing Officer for Sunnova Energy Corporation. “By offering Sunnova SunSafe, homeowners are given that peace of mind knowing that they’ll have reliable energy, day and night.”

In addition to Texas, Sunnova also offers the service in Hawaii, Arizona, California, Puerto Rico and Massachusetts.

SolarWakeup Podcast: Sunnova Makes Its Move Into Florida – Here’s Why

By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent

What Happened: It appears Florida is finally getting serious about becoming a viable solar market. Two weeks ago, the Public Service Commission decided, against all odds and the expectations of some seasoned solar observers, to allow third parties to own solar arrays without becoming regulated utilities.

In the wake of the decision, at least one major residential solar company has decided to execute a Florida market plan it’s been working on for years and waiting for precisely the right moment to go in—and they’ve decided now is that time.

To discuss this development is the the CEO of that company—Sunnova—John Berger.

Join us on June 21st in Chicago for SolarWakeup Live! to talk about all things happening in Illinois. Stay tuned for tickets and more info.

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Sources Say Sunnova Is Heading To Lucrative Florida Market

By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent

What Happened: Following a Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC) decision that third-party solar installations won’t be considered regulated utilities, residential solar giant Sunnova is set to get into the game, sources tell SolarWakeup.

The company has been quietly setting up its partner network in the state over the past year waiting for the right time to enter this lucrative market.

When they move into the state, Sunnova will be offering “solar finance agreements” (known everywhere else in the country as loans).

You don’t have to be a Kennedy Space Center rocket scientist to know that it’s time to move into the Florida solar market – you just have to be smart. Sunnova, clearly, is smart.

SolarWakeup’s View: It feels like I’ve been writing about Florida’s potential as a solar state for the entire seven years I’ve been in the solar industry. And as many times as I’ve written the story, that’s equally as often as I’ve been disappointed when the lucrative market I’ve predicted has failed to materialize.

It appears, however, that my prediction of a lucrative Florida solar market might finally be coming true (fingers crossed – I hate being wrong).

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Sources close to residential solar giant Sunnova, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the unannounced plans freely, have told SolarWakeup that an announcement of the company’s plans to enter the Florida market are imminent. No definitive timetable has been set for the announcement of the plans, but it could come as early as this week, sources say.

Honestly, I wish they’d hurry it up a bit – Floridians I talk to are desperate to install solar systems on their roofs but haven’t had the ability to do so for lack of solar providers.

It’s clear that Sunnova has known for a long time about the same decades-old report I also reported on last week, which indicates the state’s potential solar production could reach nearly 56 GWh annually by 2020 and has been planning accordingly.

I’d want to be part of that market, too – and I’m glad to see Sunnova is getting ready to take the plunge.

This story was updated at 12:13 pm ET on 5/1/2018 to clarify that Sunnova will be offering loans to solar customers, not leases.

More:

Could Decade-Old Florida Report Finally Be Relevant? Let’s Hope So

Florida Public Service Commission OKs Sunrun’s Petition – So It’s Full Speed Ahead