As the heat rises, solar drives New England grid savings

News Release — SunCommon
Aug. 28, 2018

Contact:
James Moore, SunCommon, 802.882.8144, c 802.505.8698

SunCommon report shows 14{0b7da518931e2dc7f5435818fa9adcc81ac764ac1dff918ce2cdfc05099e9974} reduction in energy costs during heat wave

A third-party analysis, released today by SunCommon, demonstrates how the solar energy produced by a relatively small number of homes and businesses benefits all electric ratepayers. Wholesale costs were decreased by 14{0b7da518931e2dc7f5435818fa9adcc81ac764ac1dff918ce2cdfc05099e9974}, or $20 million dollars, when temperatures soared across New England in the July heat wave. The report cites as much as $4.8 million in savings on just one day of the July heatwave, as solar systems across the region helped meet its elevated energy needs. The current heat wave could drive even higher electric demand that will be similarly tempered by the region’s solar power.

“We’ve always known that solar contributes in a big way to our region’s energy needs on long, hot, sunny summer days. We wanted to put numbers to it,” said James Moore, SunCommon co-founder. “$20 million in savings in one week is impressive! The amount of solar produced was the equivalent of removing 850,000 homes from New England’s grid.”

SunCommon hired Synapse Energy Economics, Inc., a research and consulting firm, to analyze the financial impact of solar to the New England electric grid between July 1 and July 7. In the midst of a heatwave, solar systems produce huge amounts of power during the same hours that energy prices soar.

“Solar power is the perfect match for heat waves. During a heat wave, energy demand goes through the roof and so do energy costs. The power that solar produces allows our utilities to buy less of the most expensive – and often the dirtiest – energy,” explained Patrick Knight of Synapse Energy Economics.

“I love checking my solar monitoring on these long, sunny days,” said Ryan Dudley, a SunCommon solar customer and middle-school teacher. “Knowing that my solar system produces enough power to keep up with our needs, and sends extra savings to my neighbors and community is even more satisfying. I feel like I’m doing my part.”

The Synapse-authored analysis reports localized energy savings that strongly reflect the penetration of solar in each New England state.

Massachusetts boasts half of New England’s solar capacity and contributed $9.3 million in savings from solar during the period analyzed.

Vermont, the smallest of the New England states by population, hosts 17{0b7da518931e2dc7f5435818fa9adcc81ac764ac1dff918ce2cdfc05099e9974} of its solar capacity and contributed $1.3 million in savings.

Maine and Rhode Island saved the least with $1.2 million each, due to their relatively low solar adoption.

“Every home and business-owner who’s made the decision to go solar should know that they did more than just make the right decision for the planet. Their solar systems are contributing significant energy savings across our region on hot, summer days,” said Moore. “As the climate warms, and heat waves become more frequent, our solar systems will only do more to temper energy costs.”

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For more information, including the full Synapse report: www.suncommon.com/heat-wave