DOE Warns of Power Outages — Here’s What Fresno Homeowners Can Do Now to Stay Powered

On July 7, 2025, the U.S. Department of Energy released a report warning that power outages could surge dramatically if scheduled fossil-fuel power plant closures go forward as planned.

The report — which claims the risk of blackouts could increase 100-fold by 2030 — has stirred debate across the country. While it’s largely aimed at influencing national energy policy, the message for everyday homeowners is clear:

The grid is becoming less stable. And if you want energy security, you’ll need to take control of your power.

Here in Fresno, where PG&E outages are already a concern, this is a wake-up call. Let’s break down what this report means and how solar + battery backup can help protect your home — no matter what happens on the grid.

📰 What the DOE Report Says

The Department of Energy (DOE) claims that the planned closure of 104 gigawatts of coal and natural gas plants — often referred to as “baseload” power — will be replaced by only 22 gigawatts of new round-the-clock power sources.

Because wind and solar are intermittent (producing energy only when the wind blows or the sun shines), the DOE warns that blackouts could become far more frequent if additional baseload capacity isn’t built.

In fact, in one scenario, the report predicts that power outage duration could increase by 100x by the year 2030.

🔋 What This Means for You as a Fresno Homeowner

Let’s put the politics aside for a moment — whether you support clean energy or not, the big picture is this:

• The grid is getting more complex and less predictable

• Demand is rising fast (thanks to AI data centers, EVs, and population growth)

• Utilities like PG&E are under pressure — and already dealing with outages

If you rely solely on the grid, your home is vulnerable to:

• Rolling blackouts during heatwaves

• Unexpected shutoffs from grid stress or fire risk

• Evening rate spikes under time-of-use pricing

But if you install solar panels with battery backup, you can take control of your power and stay protected — even when everyone else goes dark.

⚡ Solar Alone Saves You Money — But Solar + Battery Keeps You Powered

With NEM 3.0 in California, most solar systems are now designed to power your home first, and then store excess energy in a battery instead of sending it back to PG&E for minimal credit.

That means:

• You use more of your own solar power

• You avoid high evening rates

• And you have backup power when the grid fails

This is the exact type of energy independence the DOE says may become increasingly important in the years ahead.

🧠 Real Fresno Example: Lights On, No Matter What

Earlier this year, a Clovis family had One Sun Solutions install a 6.2 kW solar system with a Tesla Powerwall. During a summer transformer failure that knocked out power for 10 hours, their home stayed powered the entire time.

Refrigerator? ✅
Lights? ✅
Wi-Fi and A/C? ✅

The battery recharged the next day from solar, and they didn’t even notice the outage — unlike their neighbors.

💬 What Experts Are Saying

While the DOE’s warning has triggered strong political reactions, not everyone agrees with the report.

Caitlin Marquis of Advanced Energy United argues that the DOE:

“Appears to exaggerate the risk of blackouts and undervalue the contributions of entire resource classes, like wind, solar, and battery storage.”

In fact, Texas — long seen as grid-challenged — has improved its reliability and pricing by aggressively integrating wind, solar, and battery technology.

The key takeaway? Clean energy works — when done right. And for homeowners, combining solar + battery provides reliable, local control, regardless of what’s happening on the national grid.

🔎 What Should You Do Right Now?

If you’re in Fresno or the Central Valley and you:

• Worry about blackouts

• Rely on A/C or medical equipment

• Want to protect your food, internet, or family

• Are tired of rising electric bills...

...then now is the time to act. One Sun Solutions can help you:
✅ Assess your home’s solar + battery potential
✅ Lock in federal tax credits (up to 30%)
✅ Qualify for $0-down financing
✅ Get a system that keeps you powered — even when PG&E goes down

🔚 Final Word: Take Control Before the Grid Decides for You

Whether or not you agree with the DOE’s assessment, one thing is certain: the grid isn’t getting any more reliable — and the costs (both financial and emotional) of being unprepared will only grow.

Solar with battery backup is no longer just a “green” choice. It’s a resilience strategy for smart homeowners who want energy freedom.

👉 Check if your Fresno home qualifies for solar + battery — book your free estimate today and protect your power before the next outage.