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.
Sunrise brief: Arizona to vote on 37% slash to solar net metering
Also on the rise: Microsoft invests in 6.6 MW solar facility in Mississippi. Texas to activate its first virtual power plants. And more.
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.
Turning EV charging centers into islanding solar microgrids
An electric bus charging station on Martha’s Vineyard is using microgrid controllers to turn solar-plus-storage EV charging centers into microgrids that provide power when the grid goes down.
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.
Michigan energy storage bills can serve as a model for the nation
Passing these bills would make the state among the most ambitious in the Midwest when it comes to growing storage capacity and encouraging business models that unlock the full potential of this technology, like the “virtual power plant” model.
Sunrise brief: Virtual power plants roll out across the U.S.
Also on the rise: Solar-plus-storage microgrids minimize power shutoffs during wildfires. Solar permitting reform at a turning point. And more.
