ConnectedSolutions: How a New Program Improves the Economics and Social Benefits of Solar+Storage in Massachusetts and Beyond

This webinar presented new economic analysis showing how commercial facilities in Massachusetts (and beyond) can maximize energy savings and resiliency by installing solar PV and battery storage systems under the new ConnectedSolutions battery incentive program. The social and policy benefits of the ConnectedSolutions program were discussed, and the opportunities for states to replicate the Massachusetts program. The webinar was designed to highlight two new reports on these topics from Clean Energy Group (available here and here).

The economic finding is based on analysis of six multifamily affordable housing facilities in Massachusetts. For each facility, a solar+storage system was designed to take advantage of a suite of incentive programs and revenue streams including the SMART solar incentive, the ConnectedSolutions battery performance incentive, the federal investment tax credit (ITC), demand charge management, and net metering. The presentation will help building owners understand how the incentives and opportunities for solar+storage systems interact, how “value stacking” works (and when it doesn’t), how to optimize system sizing and operations, and how systems pencil out in economic terms, using real commercial buildings as examples.

The policy portion of the webinar explained the social and policy benefits of the ConnectedSolutions model, as it addresses common barriers in energy storage funding, financing, aggregation, and applications. It explained how the program was designed and integrated into the Massachusetts Energy Efficiency Plan, and how other states can replicate this innovative program.

Speakers:

– Geoff Oxnam, American Microgrid Solutions

– Todd Olinsky-Paul, Clean Energy Group

– Seth Mullendore, Clean Energy Group (moderator)

This webinar was presented by Clean Energy Group’s Resilient Power Project.