How can on-site solar PV & energy storage improve sustainability?

To achieve sustainability goals while meeting the increasing electricity demands of electrification, organizations are pairing on-site solar PV generation with on-site energy storage. These systems, which are considered as “behind-the-meter” (BTM) systems, allow facilities to maximize the benefits of on-site renewable generation.

When is a solar system considered an onsite system?

When a solar system is installed directly on the purchaser’s property, and the renewable energy that it produces is consumed there, it’s considered an onsite system.

Do on-site solar systems work everywhere?

However, many on-site systems simply can’t scale large enough to cover full consumption needs, so they typically only cover a percentage of the facility’s needs, relying on traditional electricity to cover the deficit. They also don’t work everywhere as solar and wind resource varies from location to location, as well as incentives and rebates.

How do I install solar energy onsite?

There are a couple ways to go about installing solar energy onsite: one is financing the installation yourself and another is entering into an onsite power purchase agreement (PPA) with a developer.

Can on-site storage be used alongside solar PV?

If a utility restricts the exports from a facility to the grid, the use of on-site storage alongside solar PV can provide a solution to avoid costly infrastructure upgrades, thus increasing the feasibility of larger on-site PV installations.

Is offsite solar better than onsite solar?

Regardless of the exact method, participating in offsite solar can have upsides similar to onsite. While both offsite and onsite options offer project structuring with no upfront installation costs and provide renewable energy at a fixed cost, the two system types ultimately can offer their own distinct benefits.