To the Editor,

As more frequent extreme weather events pose a threat to aging infrastructure or cause power outages, more homeowners are looking for ways to improve their energy security. One Nebraska homeowner, Eric Williams, has built a system that allows his home to function as a small-scale “nano grid,” capable of running independently from the main utility when needed.

His system includes a Sol-Ark 15 kW inverter and 9.6 kWh of battery storage. The inverter directs energy between his solar panels, battery, and home, ensuring a seamless flow of power. The battery stores excess solar energy, which can be used during outages or when electricity rates are high. This setup allows his home to switch to battery power instantly during a grid failure, so smoothly that even the clocks don’t reset.

To test his system, Eric disconnected from the grid for 99 hours last fall. His battery reliably powered essential systems like refrigeration, freezing, lighting, and Wi-Fi. While it couldn’t continuously sustain air conditioning, he managed energy use by shutting off non-essential devices.

For homeowners in rural areas or places with an aging power grid, solar and battery storage offers reliability, cost savings, and greater energy independence. Batteries allow homeowners to shift their power use to times when electricity rates are lower, reducing dependence on the grid and cutting costs.

Setting up a system like this requires planning, and finding knowledgeable contractors can be a challenge. But as solar and battery technology improves, home energy independence is becoming more accessible. While going fully off-grid isn’t realistic for most, a well-designed system can provide resilience, affordability, and sustainability—offering homeowners greater control over their energy future.

Madeline Faber, 

policy associate, Center for Rural Affairs