Report | 2015

The Economics of Load Defection: How Grid-Connected Solar-Plus-Battery Systems Will Compete with Traditional Electric Service, Why it Matters, and Possible Paths Forward (Executive Summary)

By RMI
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In particular, we sought to answer two core questions:1. Lowest-Cost Economics: When grid-connected customers have the option to source their entire load either from a) the grid, b) a solar- plus-battery system, or c) some combinationof the grid, solar PV, and batteries, how does that configuration change over time based on lowest-cost economics for the customer? And how do the relative contributions of grid- and self-sourced electricity change over time to meet customer load?2. Implications: What are the potential implications for utilities, third-party solar and battery providers, financiers/investors, customers, and other electricity system stakeholders? And what opportunities might be found in grid-connected solar-plus-battery systems?