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.

Do solar panels work everywhere?

Solar panels work everywhere in the United States, but some areas have more sunny, clear days than others, which means more energy production. Other factors to consider are the elevation of the land (the flatter, the better) and proximity to transmission lines and the point of electricity consumption (the closer, the better).

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.

How does a solar farm connect to the grid?

All solar farms connect to a specific point on the electrical grid, the vast network of wires that connects every power generation plant to every home and business that consumes power. That point is called the “point of interconnection,” or POI.

How many TW of solar photovoltaic potential are there?

There is approximately 115 TW of solar photovoltaic potential in the U.S., which includes 1 TW on buildings, 27 TW on agricultural land, 2 TW on brownfields, and 2 TW for floating solar. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) conducts research to reduce the cost and impact of siting solar.

Should solar PV production be reduced on-site?

Increasing the amount of solar PV production on-site can provide additional cost and emission reductions and resiliency benefits for facilities. However, the additional generation that can result from larger systems during peak daylight hours must be exported or managed through curtailment on-site.