Energy Solutions LLC

09/02/2026

Most of us don't think about the power grid until the power goes out, and that's kind of the point.

In 2024, Iowa customers experienced an average of 166.7 minutes of electric interruptions, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. That number includes major outage events.

This week, we're seeing another reminder of how much demand the grid can handle during extreme heat. MISO, the regional grid operator serving Iowa and much of the Midwest, is expecting electricity demand to push close to its all-time high.

Does that mean your power is going to go out? Not necessarily.

But it does raise a reasonable question: What happens at your house if it does?

A standby generator isn't really about expecting the worst. It's about having a plan for the times when the grid can't keep up, whether that's a summer storm, winter weather, equipment failure or an unexpected outage.

You may never think about your generator on a normal Tuesday.

That's exactly how backup power should work.

If you're curious about what a standby generator would look like for your home, Energy Solutions Iowa is happy to talk through your options.

📞 515-243-1422
🌐 energysolutionsiowa.com

Partner with Energy Solutions, serving the Des Moines area and other Iowa communities, to implement a renewable energy system for your city, your business, or home.

08/31/2026

A generator can add value before it ever turns on.

For homeowners, this can be an investment in the property itself. A professionally installed standby generator can add an estimated 3–5% to a home’s value, which is roughly $12,000–$20,000 on a $400K home, for example.

Why? Because buyers are purchasing reliable backup power, convenience, and one less thing to worry about when the grid does go down, and let's face it, in Iowa... that's inevitable during certain seasons.

With outages becoming more disruptive, having power when you need it is becoming a feature homeowners actually look for when buying.

Thinking about adding backup power before the end of the year? Our can help you figure out what generator setup makes sense for your home.

👉 Reach out to us today to get started.

08/28/2026

Batteries are changing. Lithium-ion still dominates energy storage, but it’s no longer the only game in town.

BloombergNEF expects 158 GW of new energy storage to be deployed globally in 2026, which is a 41% jump from last year.

Newer technologies like sodium-ion and long-duration storage are moving into bigger projects. This matters because more technology means more options.

The right battery isn't necessarily the one everyone else is buying... It should fit what you truly need: backup power, better use of your solar, and more control over your energy costs.

Thinking about adding storage? Give us a call!

📞 515-243-1422
🌐 energysolutionsiowa.com

Source: BloombergNEF, Energy-Storage.News, Bloomberg

Partner with Energy Solutions, serving the Des Moines area and other Iowa communities, to implement a renewable energy system for your city, your business, or home.

08/26/2026

What could distributed energy look like for your property?

Dimension Energy recently announced $857 million in new financing to expand its distributed solar business.

The money will help move 29 projects totaling 149 MW into construction across five states.

Why should you care? Well, this gives a pretty good look at where the energy industry is headed.

The important note is distributed solar puts generation closer to the people, not just the huge solar farms out there.

These projects help save businesses and communities money and energy. Investors are starting to put serious money behind these projects, and for property owners and businesses, that matters!

Solar isn't a passing trend that depends on everyone believing in the same vision.

The financial side of the industry continues to attract major capital, because there is a real demand for lower energy costs, more control over energy use and greater energy independence.

That's where a conversation with the right local team can help.

Want to see what might make sense for your property? Give us a call.

📞 515-243-1422
🔗 energysolutionsiowa.com

Source: Dimension Energy, August 17, 2026; TaiyangNews, August 20, 2026

Partner with Energy Solutions, serving the Des Moines area and other Iowa communities, to implement a renewable energy system for your city, your business, or home.

08/24/2026

The solar equipment market just changed. And if you're planning a project, you should know why.

On July 28, the FCC added certain foreign-produced power inverters to its Covered List over national security and cybersecurity concerns.

Since then, the FCC has updated the guidance to clarify exactly which equipment is affected and how certain domestically manufactured equipment can qualify for an exception.

So, what does this actually mean for someone planning solar or battery storage? Equipment selection just became a bigger part of the conversation.

Where an inverter is manufactured, whether the equipment meets the new requirements, what is already approved, and how quickly equipment can be sourced can all affect a project's planning.

And this isn't just a manufacturer problem, this can affect your equipment choices, your timeline and your budget.

Your project shouldn't have to be on hold. Make sure you're working with a team that understands the industry trends and sets goals to keep you on track with your timeline.

At Energy Solutions, we handle equipment procurement and project planning as part of the bigger picture. We don't want you finding out about a supply-chain or regulatory issue after you've already committed to a project.

Thinking about solar or storage? Call us before you start ordering equipment.

📞 515-243-1422
Sources: FCC; pv magazine USA, August 2026

08/21/2026

Buy American just got a little more real.

If you're planning a solar or battery storage project, there’s a supply-chain change worth knowing about.

The FCC recently added certain foreign-produced power inverters to its Covered List. Then, just yesterday, the FCC updated the policy again, narrowing which inverters are covered and creating exceptions for certain equipment that qualifies for domestic-production incentives.

So, what does that mean for someone looking at solar? It means where your equipment comes from matters.

Equipment sourcing, availability, lead times and pricing can all be affected when the rules change.

And we're already seeing major investment in U.S. solar manufacturing. Tesla recently proposed a $10.1 billion solar manufacturing facility in Texas, showing just how quickly the domestic supply chain is evolving.

The takeaway isn't to panic about your solar project.

It's to plan carefully and know what equipment is going into your system.

We keep an eye on changes like these, so our customers aren't left trying to figure them out after the fact. Thinking about solar or storage? Let's talk about your project.

Source: Federal Communications Commission, July 28 & August 20, 2026; industry reporting

08/19/2026

Your solar project can be ready to go and still be waiting on the grid.

There’s a bigger conversation happening around battery storage right now.

Bloomberg recently reported that some U.S. battery storage projects are facing delays as utilities work through interconnection upgrades and shortages of critical grid equipment, including transformers and circuit breakers.

Why does that matter?

Because getting a solar and battery project built isn't just about ordering the equipment.

There can be engineering, utility approvals, interconnection studies, grid upgrades and equipment lead times to account for before a project can actually move forward.

In other words... The timeline matters.

If you're considering solar or battery storage, planning ahead can help you avoid surprises later.

Here at Energy Solutions, we look at the project from the beginning, including the utility and interconnection side, so you have a better understanding of what needs to happen and when.

Thinking about solar + storage? Let's talk before you start the clock!

Source: Bloomberg, August 15, 2026

08/18/2026

Is investing in solar still worth your $$ with the energy costs rising?

A report recently from Lazard shares why it's still worth it to take solar into serious consideration.

The 2026 Levelized Cost of Energy + report compared the cost of building and operating different types of new power generation. Even with higher costs across the energy industry, solar and wind remain some of the most cost-competitive options.

Here’s a look at the numbers:

☀️ Utility-scale solar: $40–$98/MWh
💨 Onshore wind: $37–$99/MWh
🔥 Natural gas: $51–$129/MWh

So, while renewable energy isn't completely immune to rising costs of living, the numbers still make a strong case for considering solar.

For both homeowners and businesses, the important question is really: What could solar save you over time?

That answer depends on your property, energy use and goals. If you're curious about whether solar makes sense for you, we're happy to help you look at the numbers.

📍 Serving Iowa
🔗 https://www.energysolutionsiowa.com/

Source: Lazard, 2026 Levelized Cost of Energy+ Report
u-s-solar-lcoe-on-the-rise-lazard-says/

Partner with Energy Solutions, serving the Des Moines area and other Iowa communities, to implement a renewable energy system for your city, your business, or home.

08/12/2026

Saving the day

08/10/2026

August in Iowa means two major traditions: the Iowa State Fair and getting ready for Back-to-School! 🎡📚

While funnel cakes and school supplies might seem worlds apart, both traditions reflect what makes Iowa great: community pride, hard work, and building a better future for the next generation.

With late-summer heat driving up air conditioning costs right as back-to-school expenses hit, it’s also the perfect time to think about how we power our homes. In our latest blog post, we break down:

✨ Why Iowa continues to lead in clean energy innovation

💰 How solar helps offset peak late-summer electricity bills

🌱 How reducing your home's carbon footprint helps build a cleaner Iowa for our kids

Read the full story on our blog:

Partner with Energy Solutions, serving the Des Moines area and other Iowa communities, to implement a renewable energy system for your city, your business, or home.