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Texas wind solar

Texas is No. 2 in the US for wind and solar capacity, but the Texas Senate passed a bill that aims to kneecap clean energy with an industry-killing review process. Here’s what happened in the House.

May 28, 2025: The Senate passed SB 819, which would have created prohibitive new restrictions on wind and solar energy development that didn’t apply to any other form of energy. But it failed to meet deadlines that would have allowed it to progress in the House, so it’s now dead in the water. (Good riddance.)

SB 388 and SB 715, also anti-renewable, also died in the House of Representatives for the same reason. SB 388 would have required 50% of new energy generation to be “dispatchable,” but the bill unfairly excluded battery storage as a form of dispatchable energy. SB 715 wanted to require existing renewable energy installations to install backup energy.

Adrian Shelley, Texas director of Public Citizen, said, “The failure of these three bills is a victory for ratepayers. It is also a tacit recognition by a legislature that is too friendly to fossil fuels that renewable energy sources are an indispensable part of powering the state.”

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April 15, 2025: The Texas Senate today passed SB 819, which creates new restrictions on the development of wind and solar energy under the guise of “protecting” wildlife. The restrictions don’t apply to any other forms of energy.

Texas uses an extraordinary amount of power, and renewables play a big part in supplying that power. The Texas Tribune reported in March that “ERCOT [the Texas grid] predicts that Texas’ energy demand will nearly double by 2030, with power supply projected to fall short of peak demand in a worst-case scenario beginning in summer 2026.” That’s because of extreme weather, population growth, and crypto-mining facilities.

As of February, Texas increased its energy supply by 35% over the last four years, and 92% of that supply came from solar, wind, and battery storage.

Solar is the largest source of energy generating capacity that has been added to the Texas grid. That’s because it’s cost-effective and it can be deployed quickly. So if new solar projects are kneecapped, power demand will outstrip supply in the Lone Star State.

Daniel Giese, Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)’s Texas director of state affairs, stated after the Senate’s vote, “With energy demand rising fast, Texas needs every megawatt it can generate to keep the lights on and our economy strong. We cannot afford to turn away from the pro-energy and pro-business policies that made the Lone Star State the energy capital, but that’s exactly what SB 819 does. We urge the Texas House to reject this bill.”

Less clean energy would also jack up electricity bills for Texans, and rural areas would lose billions in landowner revenue and tax payments. Every time a wind farm or solar farm is installed on rural land, it brings a lot of money to the community that surrounds it. A January report estimated that existing and planned solar, wind, and battery storage projects will contribute $20 billion in local tax revenue and $29.5 billion in landowner payments.

What’s especially baffling about this bill is that it flies in the face of a core Texas value – keeping the government out of private property decisions – yet it does precisely the opposite.

Environment Texas executive director Luke Metzger issued the following response: ‘By making it much more difficult to build wind and solar energy in Texas, this bill threatens to increase pollution, increase blackouts and increase our electric bills.​

“Under the guise of helping land and wildlife, SB 819 would create a discriminatory and capricious permitting standard that could grind renewable energy development to a halt.

“We urge the House of Representatives to reject this bill and instead support policies that promote a cleaner, more sustainable energy future for all Texans.”

It will come as no surprise to regular readers that I find this bill ludicrously masochistic. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below, and please keep it civil.

Read more: A vast 600 MW Texas solar farm just hit a major milestone [update]

To limit power outages and make your home more resilient, consider going solar with a battery storage system. In order to find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and you share your phone number with them.

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Heybike Prime Fall Sale drops ALPHA mid-drive e-bike to new $1,399 low + other lows, Autel 50A EV charger $455, Lectric, more

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October 1, 2025

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Heybike Prime Fall Sale drops ALPHA mid-drive e-bike to new ,399 low + other lows, Autel 50A EV charger 5, Lectric, more

Today’s Green Deals is another nearly EV-packed edition, headlined by Heybike’s Prime Fall e-bike Sale with up to $700 savings – and many new and returning low prices, like the ALPHA All-Terrain Mid-Drive e-bike hitting a new $1,399 low. Right behind it is Autel’s MaxiCharger AC Lite Home 50A Level 2 EV Charging Station at $455, as well as Lectric’s restocked XPedition 2.0 Cargo e-bikes with up to $674 in FREE gear starting from $1,399, and much more waiting for you below. And don’t forget about all the hangover deals collected at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s exclusive launch savings on the new Bluetti RVSolar Power System and its bundles, the new low on ECOVACS’ Goat O1000 robot, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Ride1Up Revv1 DRT Off-Road e-bike sitting in grass

Review: Ride1Up’s Revv1 DRT e-bike is a rugged off-roader with plenty of suspension and hidden punch

When it comes to e-bikes, most people’s immediate thought is a commuter model designed to get you through streets to your various destinations, but with Ride1Up’s Revv1 DRT e-bike, the fun is extended (and primarily focused) to off-road adventures, and boy, does this baby have some go in it. It’s been over two years since we reviewed the Revv1 FS counterpart, which we came away quite impressed with its SUPER73-like design. Now we’re heading off the beaten path with this newer off-road variant, which boasts improved specs that outshine its predecessors in the series.

To get our full hands-on impression of this new flagship e-scooter, be sure to check out our review here.

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man riding Heybike ALPHA all-terrain e-bike up forest incline

Heybike’s Prime Fall Sale drops the ALPHA all-terrain mid-drive e-bike to a new $1,399 low, more from $899

Heybike has launched its Prime Fall e-bike Sale with up to $700 in savings on a selection of the brand’s e-bikes, including several new and returning low prices. One such model that’s really benefiting is the ALPHA All-Terrain Mid-Drive e-bike that is down at $1,399 shipped. While this model normally carries a $1,699 MSRP, we more often see it keeping down at $1,599, and more recently $1,499 with regular sales and discounts outside of events. During this two-week event, however, you can save more on it than we’ve seen before, as the $300 markdown is dropping costs to a new all-time low. What’s more, there’s a bit of extra savings in the form of the FREE front cargo basket you’ll be getting. Head below for more on this model and the others seeing discounts right now.

The Heybike ALPHA e-bike is the first to be equipped with the brand’s newer 500W Mivice mid-drive motor (which is rated for 900 to 1000W peaks), bringing some serious balance and power to all terrain types. There’s also the 680Wh battery that powers the system, providing up to 60 miles of pedal-assisted travel – supported by a torque sensor – and yes, there is a throttle for when you want to do some electric cruising. Speeds max out at 28 MPH for those living in states where it’s allowed, while otherwise delivering a 20 MPH default top speed.

What’s really nice is that the mid-drive motor doesn’t seem to send the ALPHA all-terrain e-bike into heavier weight classes, as it retains a manageable 72 pounds in all, and there’s a 400-pound rider payload, so more people of larger builds can enjoy the fun. As a more cost-effective mid-drive model, there’s a nice array of features, including the hydraulic disc brakes, hydraulic front suspension fork, and 4-inch puncture-protected fat tires – all providing plenty of support when heading off-road. There’s also an 8-speed Shimano Altus derailleur, an integrated rear cargo rack (and don’t forget the free front cargo basket), an auto-on headlight, a brake-activated taillight, and LCD screen for your setting adjustments, and more.

Heybike’s Prime Fall e-bike deals:

  • Hauler Single-Battery Cargo e-bike (new low): $899 (Reg. $1,499)
    • 20/28 MPH for 55 miles
  • Mars 2.0 Folding Fat-Tire e-bike: $999 (Reg. $1,499)
    • 20/28 MPH for 45 miles
    • comes with free front basket and large basket
    • upgrade to 1000W model for $100 more
  • Ranger S Folding Fat-Tire e-bike: $1,099 (Reg. $1,499)
    • 20/28 MPH for 55 miles
    • comes with free front basket and large basket
  • Cityrun Urban Commuting e-bike: $1,099 (Reg. $1,599)
    • 21 MPH for up to 55 miles
    • comes with free front basket and large basket
  • Horizon Full-Suspension e-bike (second-ever low): $1,299 (Reg. $1,999)
    • 20/28 MPH for 55 miles
    • comes with free front basket and large basket
  • Hauler Dual-Battery Cargo e-bike (new low): $1,299 (Reg. $1,899)
    • 20/28 MPH for 85 miles
  • ALPHA All-Terrain e-bike (new low): $1,399 (Reg. $1,699)
    • 20/28 MPH for up to 60 miles
  • Hero 1,000W Carbon-Fiber All-Terrain e-bike (new low): $2,099 (Reg. $2,599)
    • 35 MPH for 60 miles
  • Hero 750W Mid-Drive Carbon-Fiber All-Terrain e-bike (new low): $2,299 (Reg. $3,099)
    • 35 MPH for 60 miles

Heybike’s newest releases:

man charging EV with Autel MaxiCharger AC Lite Home 50A EV Charging Station

Get up to 50A charging speeds with Autel’s MaxiCharger AC Lite level 2 EV station at $455

By way of its official Amazon storefront, Autel is returning its MaxiCharger AC Lite Home 50A Level 2 EV Charging Station back to $455.20 shipped, which beats out the brand’s direct website, where it is listed for its full $569 rate. This is the first time since late July that this model has seen a discount, with the rate here only beaten in 2025 by a drop to $450 during July’s Prime Day event, and a fall further to its $399 low that hasn’t been seen since Black Friday sales. You’re looking at a 20% markdown here that cuts $114 off the going rate for the second-best price of the year and the third-lowest overall.

If you want to learn more about this EV charging station, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

mom and daughter at playground with Lectric XPedition 2.0 cargo e-bike

After selling out during some of the past sales, Lectric has officially restocked its XPedition 2.0 Cargo e-bikes, with them getting up to $674 in FREE bundled gear. While supplies are replenished and last, you can pick up the base 13Ah single-battery model with a $326 bundle at $1,399 shipped, while the 26Ah dual-battery model with a $525 bundle is at $1,799 shipped, and the 35Ah dual-battery model with the largest $674 bundle is at $1,999 shipped. As is the norm with Lectric, the discounts are on the bundles of free gear rather than the more rare direct price cuts to costs, and these packages are mostly focused on adding comfort for passengers – perfect for parents needing a new way to shepherd kids to and from daily appointments, which is what I’ve seen it mainly used for in NYC. Head below for more on the free gear you’ll be getting, as well as a rundown on the e-bike’s performance.

If you want to learn more about these three variations, be sure to check out our original coverage of these deals here.

Husqvarna Automower 115H robot lawn mower in grass next to rocky driveway with man walking dog in background

Husqvarna’s Automower 115H 4G robot with a built-in alarm system returns to its second-best $499 price

Amazon is offering the Husqvarna Automower 115H 4G Robotic Lawn Mower at $499 shipped, beating out the brand’s direct website, where it is currently priced for its full $700 MSRP. At Amazon, though, you’ll more regularly find it at $599 since June, with the discounts we’ve seen this year having been dropping costs lowest to either $499 or $490. The deal we’re seeing today gives you a 29% markdown off the MSRP, saving you $201 ($100 off the going Amazon rate) and landing it back at the second-best price.

If you want to learn more about this autonomous lawn care solution, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

Best Fall EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.


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HVAC giant Carrier has a solution for AC’s excessive grid load: home batteries

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52 mins ago

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October 1, 2025

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HVAC giant Carrier has a solution for AC's excessive grid load: home batteries

Carrier wants to pair batteries with air conditioners to help the grid

The energy demand for data centers is surging right along with record-setting heat domes and conversations about a new “Category 6” for hurricanes, bringing serious concerns about grid stability on summer’s hottest days. That’s the kind of problem that keeps the heating and cooling specialists at Carrier awake at night, but they’ve come up with a scalable solution that can deployed yesterday: pair air conditioners with home batteries.

Carrier doesn’t just sell comfort anymore — by using home battery energy storage tech to address issues like grid resiliency and peak shaving directly, the company hopes to position itself at the center of a home battery-backed virtual power plant with nationwide scale.

Whether or not that eventually happens, the mere conversation signals a massive shift in the way utilities could think about air conditioners. They wouldn’t be just a load demand problem, in other words. With built-in batteries, they could be part of a load demand solution.

“The homes we have and the fact that they all have air conditioning (or a heat pump) defines how the grid is sized, built, and operated today,” Hakan Yilmaz, Carrier’s chief technology and sustainability officer and head of its energy-solutions arm, told Canary Media. ​”The [US’] peak load is about 750 gigawatts — that’s what the grid can manage today. Around 300 gigawatts of that is reserved for HVAC.”

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As a graph, Yilmaz’ claims look something like this.

US energy demand curves

Form EIA-930, Hourly and Daily Balancing Authority Operations Report; eia.

“We forecast US electricity demand fulfilled by the electric power sector will grow at an annual rate of just over 2% in 2025 and 2026, according to our Short-Term Energy Outlook,” writes Energy Information Administration (EIA) contributor Alex Mey. “Until 2020, electricity demand was relatively flat,” they add, noting that forecasted electricity demand growth is expected to be higher in areas with plans for large data centers and manufacturing facilities, like Texas and Northern Virginia.

Ironically, the two markets named in the EIA are markets that get extreme summer heat and, in Virginia’s case, humidity – and their energy grid solutions are far from being state-of-the-art. Yilmaz thinks his vision for battery-backed Carrier air conditioners solves for that.

With an estimated 30 million Carrier HVAC units installed in North American homes – representing more than 100 GW of potential flexible demand – the opportunity is significant. At scale, these systems could offer utilities a powerful tool to manage electricity demand.

CARRIER

“If we replace an HVAC unit today with a battery-integrated HVAC, the load of that HVAC unit never shows up at the peak for the next 15 years,” Yilmaz said. ​”Use that electricity somewhere else.”

Yilmaz’s team at Carrier is piloting a modular battery that sits under or next to its outdoor air conditioning units to drive the HVAC systems during peak energy hours, which not only helps support the grid but can help reduce home energy costs by charging during overnight and off-peak hours when the electrical load is low and electrons are cheaper. It’s a solid idea, but there’s no reason to wait for Carrier to make the batteries

You can do this with a home battery NOW

Enphase home backup battery; via Enphase.

We often talk about home solar power and battery backup systems in the same breath — and for good reason: you need a battery in order to use the energy your solar panels develop during a blackout. That’s because your home disconnects from the grid in order to keep line crews safe while they’re trying to restore power, but (while important) it’s not the key takeaway here.

The key takeaway is that clever use of a home battery system, even without solar panels, can help manage your home or business’ electrical use, reduce your energy bills, and support the grid as-a-whole while doing so. And, while I tip my hat to Carrier and co. for the idea, there is absolutely nothing stopping someone from deploying a conceptually similar setup tomorrow.

Heck, the 9to5Toys guys can probably show you a Raspberry Pi unit that’s ready to manage the whole thing for $39.99 or something during Prime Day (no promises). That’s my take, anyway — let us know yours in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Carrier.

If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them. 

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.


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The Chevy Equinox EV is taking off as America’s best-selling EV outside of Tesla

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1 hour ago

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October 1, 2025

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The Chevy Equinox EV is taking off as America's best-selling EV outside of Tesla

Chevy-Equinox-best-selling-EV

Chevy’s electric SUV is quickly becoming America’s favorite. The Chevy Equinox EV now ranks as the best-selling EV in the US behind the Tesla Model Y and Model 3.

The Chevy Equinox closes in on Tesla for best-selling EV

GM took the top sales spot after delivering over 710,000 vehicles in the US in the third quarter. Sales through the first nine months of 2025 were up 20% to 2.2 million vehicles, GM’s best pace in a decade.

“No one is in a stronger position for a changing US market than GM,” according to Duncan Aldred, the company’s senior vice president and president of GM North America.

Aldred claims that GM has “the best lineup of ICE and EV vehicles we’ve ever had,” and it’s showing. GM set another record after delivering over 66,500 electric vehicles in the third quarter. Through September, GM has sold 144,668 EVs, more than doubling (+105%) its sales from the same period last year.

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The Chevy Equinox EV continues to lead the way and is now the best-selling EV in the US outside of Tesla models.

Chevy-Equinox-best-selling-EV
2025 Chevy Equinox EV LT (Source: GM)

In the third quarter, over 25,000 Chevy Equinox EVs were sold, bringing the total to 52,834 through the first nine months of 2025.

GM promotes the electric SUV as “America’s most affordable 315+ range EV,” with starting prices under $35,000.

Chevy-Equinox-best-selling-EV
Chevy Equinox EV (Source: GM)

According to Cox Automotive, the company is not lying. The Chevy Equinox EV had the lowest ATP (average transaction price) among the top-selling EVs. Even more impressive, it had very little help from incentives.

Although Chevy’s electric SUV has been GM’s biggest hit, the automaker offers an EV for nearly everyone across its Chevy, Cadillac, and GMC brands.

2026-Cadillac-Optiq-EV
Cadillac Optiq EV (Source: Cadillac)

Chevy is the fastest-growing EV brand, while Cadillac took the top spot in the luxury EV market in Q3. Cadillac now has three of the top 10 best-selling EVs in the luxury segment: the Lyriq (#2), Optiq (#5), and Vistiq (#6). In Q3, Cadillac sold 7,309 Lyriqs, 4,886 Optiqs, and 3,924 Vistiq models.

With an electric SUV offered across nearly all segments, Cadillac posted its best Q3 since 2013. The luxury brand has now achieved 13 straight quarters of YOY growth, securing its best luxury market share since 2014.

GMC is on pace for its best year ever, with new vehicles like the Sierra EV driving growth. Even Hummer EV (pickup and SUV) sales are up nearly 50% this year, with 13,233 units sold.

2025 Chevy Equinox EV trim Starting Price EPA-estimated Range
LT FWD $34,995 319 miles
LT AWD $40,295 307 miles
RS FWD $45,790 319 miles
RS AWD $49,090 307 miles
2025 Chevy Equinox EV price and range by trim (Including $1,395 destination fee)

Although the $7,500 federal tax credit expired on September 30, GM, Ford, Hyundai, and others are extending the discount for at least another few months.

GM Financial launched a program with Chevy, GMC, and Cadillac dealers that will enable them to continue passing on the credit through leasing. The program will run “for the next several months,” GM said.

Want to see how GM’s electric vehicles drive for yourself? From the Chevy Equinox to the Cadillac Escalade IQ, you can use the links below to see what’s available near you (via trusted affiliate links).


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