Ann Arbor, Michigan, is testing whether neighborhood-scale solar and battery systems can make blackouts less disruptive and electric bills less painful.
In Bryant, a neighborhood on the city's southeast side, residents can have the equipment installed at no upfront cost and use it for backup power and lower bills.
Here's what to know
Resident Bruce Schauer said he enrolled as soon as he got the chance, a decision that affects the four generations of people living in his home. As Marketplace reported, the Ann Arbor Sustainable Energy Utility is putting rooftop solar panels and batteries on homes in Bryant.
Power interruptions have been a familiar problem for Schauer's family. Schauer told Marketplace that, "About a year ago, we had a blackout here, and I lost a freezer full of meat and a refrigerator full of meat." During a later two-day outage tied to a summer heat wave, the home's battery kept the power on, protecting refrigerated medicine and food.
April Adkins, Bruce's granddaughter, told the outlet that "our medicine was saved. Our food was saved. It was a godsend. It was amazing."
The program's setup is not based on ownership. The city retains ownership of the equipment, while participating households pay a service fee of about $600 per year. Marketplace also reported that most of the residents enrolled in the program are low-income, and many are considered energy-burdened, meaning utility bills can consume as much as a third of household income.
Yet, Shoshannah Lenski, executive director of the Ann Arbor Sustainable Energy Utility, said that this model still lowers electric bills by roughly $700 to $1,000 annually, per Marketplace, making it financially worthwhile and helpful when the power does go out.
More background
For homeowners outside Ann Arbor, going solar is one of the best ways to save money on home energy. You can explore EnergySage to get free solar installation estimates and compare quotes. Those who do save up to $10,000 on their solar projects.
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Beyond lowering costs, neighborhood solar and battery systems are helping homes stay powered during storms or larger grid failures while also reducing pressure on the broader electric system.
Adding battery storage to a solar setup is one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, save money on energy, and go off-grid. It can also keep essentials like refrigerators, lights, and medical supplies running when the wider grid fails.
Homeowners can also explore EnergySage for information about home battery storage options, including competitive installation estimates.
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