Volume 04 | September 2018
Thanks for reading our monthly newsletter featuring customer tips, community events, solar news, and company happenings.
Storm Season Update
It’s hurricane season along the coast, which seems like a good time to remind everyone to stay safe. Trim trees near your home, clean out your gutters, inspect and weatherproof your roof and doors/windows, gather emergency supplies, prepare a “go kit,” and consider a solar battery or generator for backup power (more on that below).

One thing you won’t have to worry about is your solar power system. When Texas suffered the severe impacts of hurricanes Harvey and Irma last year, 42 counties received Federal Disaster Declarations and over 300,000 homes and businesses lost power, with 7,500 MW of capacity removed from the grid. Freedom Solar Power is proud to report that we did not receive a single service request for damage or repair to any of our almost 100 residential and commercial projects within the counties impacted by the storms.

And speaking of storm preparation, we’ve been getting some positive local press and industry coverage of our solar + battery solutions in Houston.
TIPS & TRICKS
Batteries vs. Generators
If you’re looking for home power backup, check out our guide to brands, costs, and a side-by-side comparison to help you evaluate which solution is best for you.
Concerned About Production?
Learn how to ensure your system is working properly by tracking your monitoring account, your revenue meter, and your utility bill.
SOLAR INDUSTRY NEWS
Texas Solar is Growing!
If you didn’t catch the news in the Midland Reporter-Telegram or the Houston Chronicle , Wood Mackenzie and the Solar Energy Industries Association reported that more solar was installed in Texas during the first quarter of this year than in all of 2017, growth that is second only to California and putting us at #5 in the nation for installed capacity.
EVENTS
CC4C "Run to Uplift" Sep. 30th in Austin
We are proud to partner with CC4C, a non-profit dedicated to supporting children with rare and undiagnosed conditions. A team of employees will be participating in the race and we invite you to join us or to pledge your support.
Bluebonnet Solar Tour Sep. 29th in Manor
Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, Texas Solar Energy Society, and Solar Austin are hosting a self-guided solar homes tour and installer fair with breakfast tacos, coffee, juice, prizes, and kids’ activities. Start at Lagos Elementary School (11817 Murchison St. in Manor) at 9am on Saturday the 29th. Free & open to the public!
COMPANY NEWS
SunPower Celebrates 33 Years
This month marks SunPower’s 33rd anniversary. As a U.S.-based, publicly-traded company that has manufactured more than one billion solar cells, SunPower has the experience and stability to give you peace of mind for your system’s lifetime – and beyond. We are proud to partner with the world's best solar company.
Driving (Solar-Powered) Electric
We just celebrated National Drive Electric Week. If you’re thinking about buying an EV or plug-in hybrid, do you know how much more solar you’d need to charge it? Search all makes and models below to see equivalized charging requirements (kWh per 100 miles), then estimate the increase to your average electricity usage based on your daily commute in miles.
Dion Adrian Sherren Tesla Model S Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid
OPERATIONS CORNER: New On The Road
Freedom Solar Power is excited to unveil our latest installation crew truck, a 2018 Isuzu NPR HD with a new concept and a new look. Replacing the pick-up truck and trailer combo, this vehicle is more maneuverable with a tighter turn radius to better navigate narrow neighborhood streets. It is also lighter weight and will cut down on truck and trailer maintenance. Brian Gamez's crew will be the first to utilize these new rigs. Keep an eye out for it on the road, or if you're near the airport stop by the truck court at our headquarters location to see it in person!
New Freedom Solar Installation Crew Truck