VPPs get the VIP treatment
With net metering waning in the United States and utilities looking for ways to affordably bolster their electricity networks, the US Department of Energy (DOE) is trying to support virtual power plant (VPP) deployment. Solar industry veteran Jigar Shah, known as the father of the solar power purchase agreement, is now leading the charge at the department’s Loans Programs Office.
Merging DER platforms into single virtual power plant solution
Swell Energy and Shifted Energy’s combined solution comprises what the companies say is a turnkey virtual power plant that will provide utilities with forecasts of energy demand and generation across the board.
Electriq Power expands into New England with solar-plus-battery storage system program
The program will help homeowners in Derby, Connecticut access solar-plus-battery solutions regardless of their socioeconomic status.
Sonnen unveils “NEM proof” function for solar batteries
The company released an optimized time-of-use solution to unlock value under California’s net energy metering 3.0 electric rate environment.
Sunrise brief: U.S. energy storage sets Q2 high water mark
Also on the rise: Not all ‘lithium-ion’ batteries are dangerous. Solar industry should focus on virtual power plants, says DOE’s Jigar Shah. And more.
Solar industry should focus on virtual power plants, says DOE’s Jigar Shah
With the days of solar net metering “numbered” and more utilities looking to deploy virtual power plants that compensate owners of distributed storage, industry veteran Jigar Shah sees virtual power plants as a route to industry success.
Texas to activate its first virtual power plants
A pilot project tests how consumer-owned small energy devices like batteries, generators, electric vehicle chargers and more can be virtually aggregated and participate in the wholesale electricity market.
SolarEdge joins Xcel Energy’s virtual power plant incentive program in Colorado
The Renewable Battery Connect initiative will call on home battery owners to discharge power to the grid when electricity demand is especially high, and provide them with financial incentives in return.
Leap raises $12 million to expand virtual power plant business
The funding round was led by Standard Investments with several other investors participating.
The rapid expansion of small-scale, distributed-generation solar
Small-scale PV systems drove the installation of more than 200 GW of solar capacity last year and could support more than 300 GW this year. That means a reset for utilities.
