Stay Powered, Save Money, and Prepare for California’s End-of-the-Year Season

In California, the end of the year is a time that brings sunny golden afternoons, cooler evenings, and a familiar uptick in weather events. Along with the beauty of the season come Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) that can leave homes without electricity. For homeowners, these realities raise an important question: how do you keep your household comfortable and secure when the grid isn’t always reliable? At Summit Technology Group, we have an answer: pairing solar power with battery storage.

In this blog, we’ll look at the seasonal challenges Californians face, explain how PSPS events work, and share why this is the smartest time to consider solar and storage solutions that keep your home secure and powered throughout the season.

Keep Your Home Safe From Burglars This Season!

You’ve zipped the suitcases, set the thermostat, and tugged the front door once more. With twinkle lights on the block and a calendar full of festivities, it’s easy to believe that a solid deadbolt is enough to secure your home. 

But the holidays also create perfect conditions for break-ins. Thieves look for small clues that a home’s sitting empty: dark windows night after night, delivery boxes stacking up, mail peeking from the box, a quiet driveway, even cheerful vacation posts on social media. A good lock slows someone down, but it doesn’t stop a determined intruder who’s already identified your place as “away for the week.”

This season, think beyond the key. In the next sections, we’ll show how a layered security approach turns your empty house into a challenging target and lets you enjoy that airport latte with true peace of mind. 

Ditch Tangled Cords and Make Your Home Festive and Warm With Just One Touch.

Decorating for the holidays is one of the most joyful parts of the season. From twinkling string lights to cozy candles and glowing wreaths, lighting helps create that magical atmosphere everyone loves. But if you’ve ever wrestled with tangled cords, overloaded outlets, or timers that never quite work right, you know the process isn’t always merry and bright.

Luckily, that’s what smart lighting was created for. With just a tap or a voice command, you can make your home sparkle in all the right ways without the hassle. Here are five ways smart lighting makes holiday decorating easier, safer, and a whole lot more fun.

Work with one expert team, and enjoy lower costs, faster timelines, and better results

Upgrading your home’s smart systems shouldn’t feel like a second job. Between solar bids, battery options, EV charger specs, and all the “smart” gadgets, it’s easy to end up juggling vendors and dropping the ball.

At Summit Technology Group, we bring those moving parts under one roof. Think of solar, storage, EV charging, and even smart home controls working as a single system, planned and installed by one team that knows how each piece affects the next. 

If you’re considering adding smart energy features and solutions to your home, bundling the work can change the experience entirely. Fewer handoffs, cleaner designs, and a home that’s ready for what comes next.

Curious how a bundled approach actually plays out? Let’s dig in.

Let Us Help You Build a Reliable Energy Strategy

Solar energy and battery storage are fantastic tools for reducing reliance on the grid and living more sustainably. But even the best solar arrays have their limits. When you face cloudy weather, short winter days, or regular seasonal shifts, the amount of energy you generate can be affected. When battery reserves run low, many people worry about running out of power altogether.

Luckily, this never has to be an issue with a generator. At Summit Technology Group, we design and install complete energy systems that combine solar, battery storage, and generator backup, so your home stays powered no matter what Mother Nature throws your way.

How Can You Turn Your Home Into a Smart Energy Command Center?

Summer energy bills often feel unavoidable, but your current home automation system may not do enough to help. Legacy platforms were built for convenience, not efficiency, which means they miss chances to reduce costs while keeping you comfortable.

The latest releases from Control4’s 4X platform and Savant’s power management system take a more proactive approach to energy efficiency and management. Control X4 enhances how you interact with your home by adding personalization, smarter routines, and modern integrations. Savant Power provides circuit-level monitoring and advanced energy load management. 

Together, these upgrades create more intuitive homes and cut unnecessary energy use.

Find Out Why Solar Power Could be the Smartest Investment for Your Home!

When people think of solar power, the first thing that comes to mind is usually lower utility bills. And it’s true: generating your own clean energy can take a big bite out of monthly expenses. But the value of solar doesn’t stop there. In the housing market, it’s also viewed as a premium home upgrade, much like a renovated kitchen or a beautifully landscaped yard. Studies show that homes with solar power often sell at a higher price and spend less time on the market.

That means when you invest in solar, you’re not just creating savings on utility costs, but you’re also building long-term value into your property. For buyers, solar represents efficiency, modern living, and a forward-thinking lifestyle. For sellers, it’s a way to stand out in a competitive real estate market. Either way, solar delivers a future-ready home that holds lasting appeal.

You Can Still Take Advantage of the 30% Rebate!

For homeowners who have been considering solar, 2025 has turned into a deadline. The Federal Residential Clean Energy Credit, more commonly known as the solar tax credit, currently covers a significant percentage of the cost of installing solar panels and batteries. That kind of savings can cut thousands of dollars off the cost of going solar. But time is running out! 

Congress has passed a budget bill that will eliminate the residential credit entirely after this year. That means systems must be installed before December 31, 2025 to qualify for the full benefit. Waiting could mean missing the single most effective financial incentive for solar adoption. Let’s take a closer look at what you need to know before the deadline arrives.

Don’t let grid shutdowns catch you off guard!

California summers bring heat, high energy demand, and an increased risk of wildfires. During red flag events—those periods of extreme weather where fire danger is high—utilities may shut off power without much warning to help prevent fires. These planned outages can last hours or even days, leaving your home without access to critical systems like air conditioning, refrigeration, lighting, and security.

The best way to maintain comfort and continuity during these events is with a professionally installed generator system and automatic transfer switch. This setup ensures your essential systems stay powered, even when the grid goes down. 

If you’ve ever experienced one of these surprise outages, or want to make sure you’re not caught off guard next time, this guide will walk you through what to expect, what’s at risk, and how the right power solution can keep your space safe and functional. Let’s dive in!

Turn Your Outdoors Into the Perfect Nighttime Retreat

Every outdoor area has the potential to be more than meets the eye. One day, it can be the ideal setting to host a fancy dinner party. Another day, it can be the best playground your kids have ever seen. And some other times, it can become the perfect peaceful sanctuary to drink your morning coffee surrounded by carefully chosen plants. These spaces are extensions of your home, designed for living, not just admiring from the window.

But darkness can kill the magic. When the sun sets, your investments in outdoor technology, furniture, and exotic plants just vanish. The pergola you spent months planning becomes invisible, the stone pathway turns into a tripping hazard, and your landscape design disappears until morning. Luckily, the right outdoor lighting brings it all back. 

In today’s blog, we’ll explore a few essential types of outdoor lighting every home should consider and how they can make your spaces more beautiful and enjoyable. Let’s dive in!

Here’s What You Need to Know to Keep Your Home & Family Safe

Google is officially winding down support for several Nest devices, and if you've been depending on them to keep your home comfortable or safe, it's time to take notice. By October 8, 2025, key models like the original Nest Thermostat and Nest Protect smoke and CO detectors will no longer connect to the app, send alerts, or receive updates. Some features may disappear entirely, and others could stop working without warning.

That leaves many homeowners in limbo. If you rely on Nest for comfort and safety, whether it’s remote temperature control or smoke detection while you're away, now's the time to make a plan. Keep reading this blog to learn what this means for your setup and what your next step should be.

Explore our Solar Strategies for Energy-Intensive Summers!

Once summer hits and the temperatures start to rise, your home begins working overtime. Air conditioners crank nonstop, pool pumps hum around the clock, and appliances run on repeat. While this can make your home a more comfortable place to shelter against the scorching heat, it also results in sky-high energy bills, stressed-out power grids, and even dreaded blackouts. But no worries! With the right solar energy strategy, you can keep your home cool, comfortable, and energy-efficient.

Let’s dive into how solar panels, battery storage, and smart energy management team up to make your home a more resilient and cost-effective space, especially during summer's peak.

Explore Home Network Upgrades for Streaming, Gaming & Remote Work

Summer is almost here, and once school is out, your home will probably be buzzing with activity. From video games and streaming marathons to remote work and virtual summer classes, everyone in the family is logging on. But is your home network ready to handle all that extra traffic? If you’ve noticed more buffering, lagging video calls, or grumbling kids who “can’t even load the game,” it might be time to look at how your home network is holding up. 

Here’s how a few smart upgrades can help your family stay connected and stress-free all summer long.

Let us create the perfect space to have fun and surround yourself with nature!

Spring is now here in full swing, and that means it's time to bring the party outdoors! Whether you're hosting a backyard BBQ, screening a movie under the stars, or gathering the family for an afternoon game night on the patio, there's one upgrade that can take your outdoor space to the next level: outdoor shades.

These stylish, functional features do a lot more than just look good. They offer sun protection, help control temperatures, and create a cozy, welcoming atmosphere that makes every get-together a hit. Let’s dive in to learn how outdoor shades can help you maximize comfort and fun all season long.

School Is Out, but Your Family’s Healthy Routine Is Not!

Summer break can be a wonderful time to relax, recharge, and enjoy more freedom in your daily schedule, but without the structure of the school year, routines can easily go out the window! 

If you're trying to keep your family on track while still soaking up the best of summer, smart shading can be your secret weapon. Lutron motorized shades aren’t just about luxury—they are about making daily life smoother, especially when the usual rhythms change.

Let’s explore how this simple smart home addition can be a game-changer for your family this summer season!