El Niño is officially in effect—and it’s getting stronger. According to NOAA, El Niño conditions are currently present, with a greater than 90% chance of a very strong El Niño during fall and winter 2026–27.
For California homeowners, that makes now a good time to think about energy preparedness.
El Niño changes weather patterns by warming portions of the tropical Pacific Ocean. While no single storm or weather event can be blamed solely on El Niño, stronger events can increase the likelihood of significant weather impacts.
For homeowners, storms can also mean downed trees, damaged power lines and unexpected power outages. California residents already face outages from storms, equipment problems, wildfires and Public Safety Power Shutoffs.
Solar panels can help produce your own electricity during daylight hours, while battery storage allows you to save that energy for when you need it most.
With a properly designed solar and battery backup system, your home can keep essential loads powered when the grid goes down. And when the sun comes back out, your solar system can recharge your batteries—potentially extending your backup power during a longer outage.
That means keeping important things like refrigeration, lights, internet, phones and other selected household circuits running when the neighborhood loses power.
You can’t control what El Niño brings to California this winter—but you can make your home better prepared for it.
Don’t wait until the lights go out. Prepare your home now for an unpredictable El Niño season.
