Why Fall Is the Smartest Time to Invest in Solar & Battery Storage

Stay Powered, Save Money, and Prepare for California’s Fall Season

In California, fall is a time of the year that brings sunny gold afternoons, cooler evenings, and a familiar uptick in wildfires. Along with the beauty of the season come Red Flag Warnings and 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 fall is the smartest time to consider solar and storage solutions that keep your home secure and powered throughout the season.

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The Rise in Fall’s Seasonal Risks

By the time fall rolls around, most Californians know the drill: drier air, gusty winds, and a higher chance of wildfire outbreaks. These conditions, besides raising safety concerns, also put pressure on the state’s electrical grid. When fire danger is especially high, utility companies may preemptively shut off power to reduce the risk of sparks from electrical lines. These events, known as Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), can last anywhere from a few hours to multiple days depending on the severity of the conditions.

While this measure can protect communities, it also underscores just how fragile our reliance on the grid can be. Refrigerators stop running, Wi-Fi connections drop, work-from-home schedules get disrupted, and anyone relying on powered medical equipment faces real challenges. Even short outages can create stress and uncertainty during a season when families are looking for comfort and routine. With wildfire seasons stretching longer each year, homeowners are increasingly looking for ways to take back control over their own energy supply.

Turning Fall’s Energy Challenges Into an Opportunity

If PSPS events highlight anything, it’s the value of having your own reliable energy source. Pairing solar panels with battery storage provides a practical solution that helps homeowners stay powered up, save money, and make a lasting impact. These are a few ways they make it happen:

• Energy Security

With a home battery system, you can keep the lights on, appliances running, and essential devices charged, even when the grid goes down. That means fewer disruptions to work, school, and daily life during a PSPS or unexpected outage.

• Cost Savings

By storing excess solar energy generated during the day, you can use it at night or during peak utility hours when rates are highest. Over time, this strategy lowers monthly bills and reduces dependence on unpredictable utility pricing.

• Sustainability

Solar energy is clean and renewable. When paired with storage, you’re not just lowering your carbon footprint, but you’re also making sure more of the energy your system produces gets used by your household, not lost to the grid.

• Peace of Mind

Perhaps most importantly, solar and storage combos deliver confidence. You don’t have to wonder whether your home will have power when you need it most, you’ll already have a plan in place.

The Financial Incentive: Act Before the ITC Phases Down

Beyond the seasonal risks, there’s another reason fall is the right time to act: the financial landscape. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) currently allows homeowners to deduct 30% of the cost of installing solar panels from their federal taxes.

This incentive has been a game-changer for making renewable energy more accessible, but it won’t last forever. After 2025, the credit is scheduled to stop, reducing the savings available to future projects. Acting now means capturing the maximum benefit before that window starts to close. When you combine these financial perks with the very real need for energy resilience, the case for solar and storage becomes even stronger.

Take Control of Your Energy Future

Fall may bring its share of challenges in California, but it also offers the perfect moment to make a smart, lasting investment in your home. Don’t wait until the next PSPS or the step-down of the federal tax credit to start planning. By acting now, you can secure your energy independence and enjoy the benefits for years to come. Contact Summit Technology Group today to learn how a custom solar and storage system can keep your home comfortable, secure, and prepared this fall and beyond.