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.

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.

What are the benefits of an on-site solar PV system?

For the scenario represented in the graph, an on-site solar PV system allows the facility to reduce the amount of electricity drawn from the grid during the middle of the day. Increasing the amount of solar PV production on-site can provide additional cost and emission reductions and resiliency benefits for facilities.

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.

What percentage of LMI households have on-site solar?

If current trends continue, LMI on-site solar would reach around 40 GW of capacity, or about half of what is installed on non-LMI households (80 GW) (Figure 8). This would result in about 18% of LMI households having on-site PV, compared to 25% of non-LMI households. Alternative scenarios include a partial or full incentive for LMI households.

Should low-cost solar be a viable option for low-income households?

Lower-cost utility-scale solar is explored in DOE (2021) and could result in lower retail utility rates which could have a meaningful impact on energy burden. Community solar is also another very relevant option for low-income households to gain access to solar, especially for those homeowners with a roof which is unsuitable for solar or renters.