The Outlet: March 15, 2026
Welcome to this week's edition of The Outlet. Here are some sparks to keep you informed and entertained!
Fun Fact
The first practical electrical wiring system in the U.S. used knob-and-tube insulation, installed in homes starting in the 1880s. Porcelain knobs held wires away from wood framing, and ceramic tubes protected wire where it passed through joists. The method was so durable that functional knob-and-tube wiring can still be found in homes over 130 years later — though it's no longer up to code and most insurers won't cover it.
Laugh of the Day
What did the electrician say when he finished wiring the house ahead of schedule?
Wire you all so shocked?
Texas to Adopt the 2026 NEC on September 1
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has confirmed that the Lone Star State will adopt the 2026 National Electrical Code effective September 1, 2026. Under the state's Electrical Safety and Licensing Act, TDLR is mandated to adopt the latest NEC edition as the statewide code. The update from the 2023 NEC brings revisions to installation methods, equipment requirements, grounding and bonding practices, GFCI and AFCI protection, and labeling standards. For Texas electricians, now is the time to start studying — jobsite delays, inspection failures, and costly rework hit hardest in the first months after enforcement begins...
Electrification Rules Are Changing Contractor Exam Content
If you're preparing for a licensing exam in 2026, expect more questions about solar, batteries, and EV charging. California's 2025 Energy Code update — effective January 1, 2026 — is driving a nationwide shift in exam content toward electrification topics. The C-10 electrical exam now emphasizes photovoltaics, battery storage, EV charging circuits, and panel sizing for all-electric homes. Study materials across trades are treating electrification as core knowledge rather than a specialty. For newly licensed contractors, mastering this content is becoming a competitive advantage on jobsites where all-electric design is the new standard...
Solar and Battery Storage to Drive Record 86 GW of New U.S. Capacity
The Energy Information Administration projects 2026 will see the largest single-year power capacity expansion in over two decades: 86 gigawatts of new generating capacity, with solar and battery storage accounting for 79% of the total. Utility-scale solar alone is expected to add 43.4 GW — a 60% jump over 2025's record. Meanwhile, 24.3 GW of new battery storage will come online, surpassing last year's 15 GW record. For electricians, this translates directly to work: nearly half of all grid storage is now co-located with solar arrays, and residential battery attachment rates in some states have topped 69%...
We hope you enjoyed this week's edition of The Outlet. Stay tuned for more updates, and as always, keep the current flowing!
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