On Thanksgiving day in 2022, a power grid substation in Clackamas, Oregon was attacked by unknown vandals who used rifles to try to damage critical components and transformers. No one lost power, but the substation was damaged.
December 3, 2022: There was a similar incident in Moore County, NC. This time 40,000 customers lost power, some for over a week.
December 8, 2022: A third incident in Bellevue, Washington took place. Only limited customers lost power.
Recently on January 17, 2023, another power grid attack occurred in Thomasville, North Carolina.
Will there be additional power grid attacks in 2023? Has this become a trend?
The threat of power grid attacks is real and present, but solar offers a solution that supports energy independence despite substation vulnerability.
The Power Grid’s Vulnerable Infrastructure
The power grid is full of fragile infrastructure that can be damaged with most standard ammunition sold in gun stores everywhere.
We have 400 million firearms in the USA and over 55,000 power grid substations, found mostly in rural (and remote) areas that are easy to target.
How long will it take to build bullet-resistant walls around 55,000 substations? Years? Decades? Will the electric company find a cost-effective solution to this problem?
Another fact: Many of those 55,000 power grid substations are 40 to 50 years old. Fifty-year-old equipment is easy to destroy—with a NERF gun, a fire, maybe even a prayer and a light breeze. We joke, but the threat is real.
How soon until the substation in YOUR zip code becomes the target and you lose power for days, even weeks?
How inconvenient is that? What if you own a restaurant or grocery store that requires constant electricity for cold storage? How much money will you lose if your business loses power for multiple weeks while the power company rebuilds the substation?
These may not be questions you’ve thought about before, but after recent substation attacks, it’s wise to consider them now.
A Peace-of-Mind Solution
Solar on your roof (with a quality battery back-up) solves the instability issue and inherent unreliability of the old (and brittle) power grid. Solar with a battery back-up requires NO refueling, recharges every single morning, and is 100% silent and reliable.
If the substation in your community dies from old age or gets killed intentionally, you’ll keep the steaks cold in your fridge and the lights on.
Our goal is not to scare you into buying solar with a battery back-up, but if these power grid attacks continue you’ll be glad you called us now to prepare for the worst.
Beyond power grid attacks, there are many reasons why switching to solar now is a bright idea. It gives residents and business owners peace of mind despite summer and winter storms, the increasing cost of electricity, and global energy shortages.
Even with zero blackouts, solar will save you money on a monthly basis.
Call us today for a quote on 100% reliable solar with battery back-up equipment sized for the exact specs for your home or business.
