Hello, solar enthusiasts! It’s an exciting time in the world of solar, with big changes afoot. Today, let’s dive into a fascinating trend that’s been emerging in California’s solar industry. With shifting regulations and the plummeting costs of batteries, more and more homeowners are getting on board with battery energy storage systems (BESS) for their solar solutions. Yup, you’ve read it right—California is witnessing a surge in pairing solar array for home with batteries, quite a revolutionary stride for solar companies.
According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), the percentage of California citizens choosing to include a battery in their solar installation has skyrocketed from just 20% in October 2023 to an impressive 50% by April 2024! This exponential push towards batteries is largely due to a transition to Net Energy Metering 3.0. Let me break it down for you in simpler terms—this regulation reduces the amount customers are paid for feeding their solar-generated electricity back into the grid. Not the most ideal situation, right?
On the surface, it may seem less beneficial for solar power users. But there’s a larger picture at play: regulators want to emphasize the importance of storing and dispatching the precious, sun-powered electricity when it’s needed most. This principle is even more significant given the mismatch of peak solar production and peak electricity demand. And, of course, added to this potpourri is the allure of energy independence, which is becoming increasingly attractive these days.
The rising battery attachment rate has brought about significant change in California’s solar industry. A point of reference—solar plus battery systems now account for about 9% of all installed residential net metering capacity in the Golden State. From October 2023 through April 2024 alone, over 40,000 new systems were added. This accounts for a whopping 232 MW of new battery storage capacity! Quite significant, don’t you agree?
However, no change comes without its share of controversy. The switch to Net Energy Metering 3.0 wasn’t received with open arms by all solar advocates. Critics argued this move increased the overall cost of installing solar panels for your home, subsequently affecting the breakeven point and leading to a dip in installation numbers, despite the added convenience of battery backup during power outages.
Despite the challenges, we must mark a major milestone – as of now, California boasts more than 12,000 MW of installed solar capacity in sub-1 MW residential net metering systems. A whopping 70% of installed net metering capacity is residential, accounting for about one-third of total installed capacity in the state. Quite the feat for solar companies, right?
Change, growth, controversy – the solar industry seems to have it all. But with the rising popularity of solar, I firmly believe homeowners can take calculated, informed decisions to turn these shifts into advantages, thereby making solar a powerful and cost-effective choice.
Stay tuned in to this space as I get back with more updates from the dazzling world of solar! Until then, keep thinking solar! Bye for now.
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/07/19/more-than-half-of-california-solar-customers-to-include-battery-storage/
