Curb M10, equipped with 10 energy sensors (CT clamps) that can monitor all the key electrical activities in a home, will allow for accurate tracking of appliance energy usage and aid homeowners and operators in lowering rising energy costs through actionable insights delivered via the Curb app, web interface and email reports. In addition, M10 will track solar production data with its continuous cellular connectivity capabilities and monitor high home energy consumers, such as HVAC systems, EV chargers, water heaters, pools, stoves/ovens, clothes dryers, lighting and more.

M10 is the latest device to connect with Elevation’s Curb cloud-based, AI-enabled smart energy engagement platform. When deployed in a home, Curb receives energy usage data from thousands of sensors in real-time and mines this information to provide actionable insights on energy efficiency patterns and device health. For instance, Curb M10 could predict an HVAC outage or malfunction in advance, mitigating expensive and frustrating repairs or replacements. M10 represents the latest evolution of the Curb product line and pairs years of available Curb’s intelligent, actionable home energy data with new features focused on improving connectivity, reliability and ease-of-use.

Rental operators are increasingly seeking solutions that will enable them to invest in the efficiency and longevity of their portfolio homes for both the betterment of the environment and their bottom line. Curb M10 offers the SFR industry a scalable, easy-to-deploy solution for lowering operating costs and emissions with real-time data monitoring and insights. Similar to existing products in the Curb family, M10 is also designed to empower residents to optimize their relationship with energy through its user-friendly interface and advanced communication capabilities.

“Curb M10 arrives at a time when eco-friendly features continue to be preferred by both renters and homeowners nationwide,” said Greg Fasullo, CEO of Elevation. “Across most SFR portfolios, energy bills are the second-highest cost for tenants after rent. We’re excited to introduce the M10 as a scalable solution for portfolios of all sizes that will deliver measurable cost-saving benefits for operators and residents. With reliable connectivity, a reduced installation time and a more seamless configuration interface, M10 will bring energy efficiency insights and invaluable real-time data to consumers and operators.”

With energy prices expected to remain high throughout 2023, M10 is poised to become an essential and impactful solution for the residential real estate industry. In the face of a historically turbulent housing market, there is a tremendous opportunity for both operators and residents to take greater control of their energy use, carbon footprint and costs with efficiency and technology upgrades. With the launch of M10 and its existing portfolio of whole home energy solutions, Elevation remains committed to offering rental operators solutions to lower emissions, reduce utility costs and improve tenant comfort.

To learn more about the M10 energy monitoring device, please visit: https://www.poweredbyelevation.com/curb-energy-monitoring

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About Elevation

Elevation is a fully integrated residential energy solutions company. As a leader in clean energy technology including solar, energy efficiency, and smart energy management platforms, Elevation takes a whole home approach to energy and sets the industry standard in its deployment of technology to homeowners, institutional operators of single-family rental properties, and utility providers.

As a 2019, 2020, and 2021 Contractor of the Year recipient by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Elevation team possesses extensive knowledge in both the single-family rental market and residential solar spaces. Elevation goes beyond solar to create an Elevated Home and collects data to analyze the direct impact of its solutions. In just one year, Elevation’s customers helped to avoid 128,738 tons of carbon dioxide. For more information, please visit https://www.poweredbyelevation.com.

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The impact of these recent executive actions may not be felt immediately. However, forward-thinking real estate leaders have an immediate opportunity to ride this momentum, and to leverage future investments made in domestic clean energy production. These groups have an opportunity to act now to adopt solutions like solar, home energy efficiency, and monitoring – at scale – to accelerate this U.S. transition to clean energy, one rental property at a time.

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More Power to Homeowners, Managers, and Investors

In the next decade, it’s predicted that 12 percent of all new homes built in the U.S. will be single family rentals (SFR). Many of these homes are owned by larger investment groups and management companies. The DPA will reduce the costs of adopting clean energy for individual residential customers, as well as property managers owning and operating portfolios of single-family homes.

Lower costs and higher availability of materials will make energy efficiency retrofit projects in the SFR market more viable. Homes that have been upgraded with renewable generation, efficient appliances, and energy monitoring are transformed from sources of strain on the grid, to potential assets for decarbonization and utility support. What’s more, reducing emissions produced by millions of single-family homes will propel the real estate industry toward a more sustainable future.

Amid all the momentum driven by legislation and heightened private sector innovation, many American renters are still left out of the equation when it comes to residential clean energy technologies. Supply chain and cost barriers aside, we have an abundance of options for retrofitting homes to increase energy efficiency and boost clean energy production. Since renters do not own their homes, most don’t know how or if they can approach these upgrades. By leveraging local and national incentives and price structures to bring these technologies to entire portfolios at scale, SFR owners and management companies are not only lowering their carbon footprint, they are introducing more Americans to the benefits of a sustainable and efficient home. Owners that pursue clean energy projects in their rental communities are investing in the planet, and laying the foundation for their renters to one day become homeowners with mindful energy-efficient habits.

The DPA makes the integration of clean technology more accessible, both through new home construction and existing home upgrades. Many of the materials needed to complete these projects will be manufactured in the U.S., eliminating international fees or tariffs, and shortening wait times for production and delivery. And, with a two-year bridge on select solar imports from countries like Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam (currently in effect), any essential technologies or components that cannot be sourced from U.S. manufacturers will also be lucrative options for maintaining momentum of clean energy projects.

More reliable access to quality materials, from a broad variety of U.S. and international PV and battery technology manufacturers, will help SFRs reduce the carbon footprints of their portfolios – and better utilize the clean energy they generate and store. Opportunities for improving energy efficiency in SFRs are widespread; they extend beyond just energy generation and addressing inefficiencies such as improper insulation or outdated appliances. The emissions reductions that come with clean energy sourcing and enhanced energy efficiency can also serve as strong ESG proof points in real estate portfolios for investors and developers.

Taking Efficiency from Rental Communities to the Grid

U.S. reliance on foreign countries (i.e., China) has disrupted the energy supply chain, and significantly impacted the clean energy industry by extending the timelines for residential and commercial clean energy projects designed to lower emissions and support utilities in their efforts to modernize grids. The DPA will strengthen our domestic solar and grid manufacturing industries, and help lower utility costs. Coupled with low- or no-tariff imports of components from international suppliers, we’ll see increased availability and a greater variety of technologies; even small-scale retrofit projects, like those owned by SFRs, will be able to contribute to meaningful change in clean energy generation and smarter energy use.

As the industry, and society at-large, waits to see how the DPA will go into effect, SFR operators must act on this opportunity to lead meaningful change. These executive actions have been introduced at a time of increased consumer demand for clean energy and home efficiency technologies. Heightened awareness of the lasting impact inefficient homes can have on the environment presents the perfect opportunity for property managers to invest time and resources into upgrading the efficiency of their portfolios.

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The signing of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has brought terms like “heat pumps” and “photovoltaics” into the national spotlight and homeowners’ vocabularies. One thing that’s flying under-the-radar: how both clean energy generation and efficient energy usage can come together for homeowners, landlords, and renters to save money and energy.

Benefits For Homeowners: Closing The Gap

The initial upfront costs of energy-efficient appliances and retrofits has long been one of the largest barriers for homeowners and property managers. The spread of rebates and tax breaks offered by the IRA will go a long way toward removing and reducing this barrier. Homeowners and property managers can now save money upfront as they add rooftop solar, install heat pumps, and switch out natural gas-powered dryers for electric, energy-efficient upgrades.

The diversity of incentives is one of the most intriguing parts of the IRA – there’s something in there for everyone.

Homeowners who have previously been on the fence about adding rooftop PV and home battery systems can make the transition with the tailwinds of a sizable tax break: a 30% tax credit that will be extended at a flat rate for 10 years is included in the IRA. This will revolutionize the demographics of Americans who can install solar and storage.

Landlords and real estate portfolio managers will be guided consistently towards smart-money investments in clean energy generation and efficiency. The diversity of incentives offered and the ability to package them together to achieve maximum savings will bring energy savings to Americans who previously have been left out, including renters, marginalized communities, and first-time homeowners.

As companies in the clean technology industry seek to help homeowners make the most of the tax credits and rebates, real-time data and energy usage monitoring tools will be key in identifying areas for immediate energy savings. Home energy audits will allow homeowners and energy services companies to seamlessly work together to create customized plans. As consumers save money from their solar, storage, and efficiency upgrades, they’ll be able to reinvest the savings into future improvements and installations.

Homeowners, real estate investors, and property managers can choose from a menu of rebates and tax credits that come with installing new, energy-efficient appliances, including heat pumps, water heaters, and stoves – with insulation ventilation, and wiring improvements included as well. Consumers can take as many of these rebates as they would like, up to a total of $14,000.

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Benefits For Real Estate Operators: Faster Scalability

Every step taken toward clean energy generation (i.e., solar panel installation) and managing energy usage within a home (i.e., insulation improvements) can be compounded. Generating energy through solar panels, storing energy in residential battery systems, and using this energy to run electric-powered appliances all work together towards increased sustainability for homeowners – financially and environmentally.

The installation of rooftop solar and/or the upgrades included in the Home Rebate program are all only the starting point for a chain reaction. Take, for example, a landlord who owns a set of four Single Family Rental (SFR) homes in a neighborhood. This landlord, as he installs rooftop solar at a discount and switches the appliances within his rentals for energy-efficient options, does so knowing that he has a return-on-investment waiting. Homes that are cheaper to heat, cool, and power and have reduced carbon footprints are extremely attractive for renters. Institutional landlords have the potential to scale these technologies and reach  millions of renters who have not had access. Simply put, there is a great opportunity to make energy use a more interactive and mindful experience for renters.

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Benefits For Clean Energy Providers: Increased Demand

As consumers rush to take advantage of these savings, energy-efficiency and solar companies will be forced to compete and innovate to find ways to meet demand. This same way of innovation and competition took place over a decade ago following the Obama Administration’s Recovery Act of 2009, which brought an estimated 900,000 jobs in the six years that followed. This corporate growth and innovation helped spur some of the companies leading the charge in decarbonizing the energy sector today.

Innovation driven by competition will not be the only industry result of the increased demand. As individual homeowners and real estate portfolio managers seek to install rooftop solar, batteries, upgraded appliances and other energy-efficient improvements, they’ll be stimulating the domestic construction and contracting industries. Electricians, plumbers, and solar installation technicians will be busier than ever. The $70B+ in clean domestic manufacturing investments provided by the IRA will drive the creation of new jobs – an estimated 912,000 new jobs per year for the next 10 years.

Holistic, whole home carbon reduction is the intended goal of the bill’s residential incentives and earmarked funding. There’s no question that homes that generate, store, and use renewable electricity will be a key part of achieving the emissions reduction goals outlined by the federal government. It will be rewarding to watch homeowners, landlords, and renters all share the benefits of this journey.

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In fact, single-family homes comprised nearly three-quarters of the one in five U.S. homes bought by institutional investors during the fourth quarter of 2021.

As a lucrative market, the number of SFRs is only bound to accelerate further; SFRs are predicted to encompass 12% of all new homes built over the next decade. This growth reveals a golden opportunity for SFR operators, particularly when ESG goals are concurrently increasing as a priority within the real estate industry.

Taking steps to decrease residential energy consumption and reduce dependence on fossil fuels will be consequential for those not only looking to meet ESG standards but to benefit the planet as a whole.

Residential Energy Consumption and GHG Emissions

ESG efforts, often captured through ESG scores, have become critical not only for decarbonization but also for amassing capital and achieving positive public reception. In fact, one study found that companies with higher ESG scores experienced lower costs of capital, equity and debt compared to those with lower ESG scores.

A major opportunity exists for higher ESG scores within SFRs, especially with residential energy consumption currently accounting for nearly 20% of U.S. energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. With SFRs increasing in scale, SFR operators must be scrupulous in ensuring that buildings across their portfolios are more energy-efficient and climate-friendly in order to obtain higher ESG scores.

Although rental housing inefficiencies can be attributed to various causes, building and appliance inefficiency are often great contributors to significant energy usage. With outdated infrastructure, tenants and investors remain uninformed about the most energy-draining aspects of the home.

New Energy Solutions

However, SFR operators have considerable potential to reduce energy usage, first by conducting energy audits to help determine where the most energy is being expended and even wasted. This includes identifying defective wiring, insulation or sensors that can be replaced. The retrofitting of older homes is another viable means of increasing energy efficiency. This may entail improving insulation, installing renewable energy generation sources or replacing older appliances with newer energy-efficient models.

Emerging technologies are also beginning to allow for more innovative and lower-cost methods of increasing energy efficiency, including methods providing real-time data to inform residents on energy usage and room for improvements.

Consumer Demand Pushes for Energy Efficiency

Investors aren’t the sole proponents of energy efficiency. Renters are increasingly looking for means to live more sustainably as well.

According to one report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, when given the means to compare rental units’ energy costs, prospective renters chose energy-efficient rentals 21% more frequently. The implications of this can potentially benefit institutional landlords as well. The same report also found that renters were willing to increase their monthly rent by 1.8% on average for a one-unit increase in energy score, translating into more than $400 of additional revenue annually for landlords.

With additional support from renters, SFR operators are poised to have an outsized impact on decreasing emissions and propel the real estate industry forward into a greener future.

Further U.S. Domestication in Energy Solutions Benefits SFR Operators and Consumers  

While efforts to increase energy efficiency in homes have been in progress for years, now is the opportune time for SFR operators to expedite their energy efficiency processes.

Thanks to recent initiatives by the White House, including the invocation of the Defense Production Act, the nation is prioritizing domestic solar panel manufacturing and other long-term goals to domesticate the clean energy supply chain now more than ever before.

As a result, a more stable supply chain can be realized, allowing lower prices for those seeking to employ energy-efficient practices.  

Setting a Precedent for Energy Efficiency

With institutional investors’ sheer reach in portfolio sizes, the impactful role they need to play in lowering carbon emissions can no longer be neglected. Many SFRs have led the shift in increasing energy efficiency by announcing significant plans to retrofit. With SFRs now able to measure their energy consumption, many SFR operators will be able to report on how their homes are leading by example, setting an industry-wide standard sure to bring lasting influence.

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A considerable decarbonization opportunity exists in the energy consumed by homes. Residential energy consumption accounts for nearly 20 percent of U.S. energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. That’s more emissions than Germany puts out, and approximately the same as Brazil.

Single-family rental homes (SFRs) have recently experienced substantial growth within the U.S. rental inventory. Their share of the market is currently valued at approximately $4.4 trillion. With the SFR market projected to further expand and become 12 percent of all new homes built over the next decade, there is a huge opportunity to increase sustainability efforts.

By following a process that involves pairing focused energy-efficiency upgrades and behavior changes with data driven by technology, major carbon reductions can be achieved. Rental operators and institutional landlords will see multi-faceted impacts — they’ll maximize savings and cut extra costs while working towards a more sustainable future.

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Addressing Inefficiencies by Implementing Sustainable Solutions

Inefficiencies across SFR homes are rampant, from improper insulation to outdated appliances. In fact, American renters use nearly one-third more energy per square foot than homeowners do, especially when utility costs are fixed and bundled with rent. To address these opportunities for energy and cost savings, SFR operators must begin by conducting energy audits across their rental portfolios. These audits can pinpoint a rental property’s energy drainers and provide a tangible starting place for cutting energy usage at scale. An energy audit provides actionable data, and when weighed against the data from other rental portfolios it provides the necessary insight to define benchmarks and identify areas of improvement or success in energy efficiency.

Properly reducing emissions in SFRs comes largely through changing behavior, in the forms of both human and appliance behavior.  Improving appliance behavior includes making informed maintenance decisions, taking advantage of appliance-technology capabilities, and weighing the benefits of replacing old appliances with newer, often more energy-efficient options. None of this is possible or effective without information from regular energy audits and ongoing energy monitoring benchmarked against large data sets in the SFR industry.

After all, you can’t manage what you can’t measure.

Changes in human behavior are also aided by the same process. Rental operators and institutional landlords can make informed decisions on energy-efficiency, from smaller items such as window and door insulation, to larger system upgrades such as solar panels and residential batteries. Renters and SFR occupants can also use their desire to reduce emissions and save money to shape behavior changes. This can take many forms, including understanding and implementing best practices around heating and cooling as well as taking advantage of natural light during the day.

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Holistic Energy-Efficiency is an Investment for All

Ultimately, landlords and renters are in it together. As they work together towards energy-efficiency in rentals, they’ll share the benefits that will follow. Air quality will improve. Money will be saved. Carbon footprints, both individual and institutional, will be reduced. They’ll make their homes stand out through investing in energy-efficiency and renters will be proud to live there.

ENERGY SCORE:

The new Energy Score provides customers with an intuitive way to understand how their energy consumption changes each day. Each day, a score will be given that represents how efficient their energy usage was during the prior day. The score ranges from 0-100, with 50 being the average; as energy consumption decreases, the Energy Score increases.

We understand that each home and its energy consumption is as unique as the individuals in the home; with this in mind, we have created a system that analyzes home energy consumption on an individual basis. A baseline is built by analyzing past energy consumption that sets an average and range for the score of  each home.

A change in behavior like adjusting thermostats and turning off lights will impact energy consumption and improve the daily energy score.

Note: During the baselining period, customers will see a “calibrating” screen as the system collects data.

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TIPS:

Our mission is to simplify energy for our customers. In addition to providing an Energy Score, we want to provide simple yet effective ways for homeowners to decrease their consumption and improve their score. The “Messages” tab gives us this opportunity to provide useful tips. It  also provides a location to find any alerts or notifications they may receive.

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EASY-TO-READ CHARTS

In addition to a new Energy Score and energy-saving tips, our team created straightforward  charts that are easier to understand. The charts provide information that can help the customer understand their energy consumption holistically, breaking down what energy was consumed from the grid versus solar production, and the financial costs or savings of that energy consumption compared to solar production.

We are here to simplify your home’s energy. Contact us to learn how you can start saving today.

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What is Curb?

Curb is a comprehensive household energy monitoring system. Home energy monitors (HEM) are Wi-Fi enabled devices that are installed in a home’s electrical panel. Some HEMs show a whole-house snapshot of energy usage, while others — like Curb — offer real-time data on how each appliance and every device in the home uses energy.

How is Curb installed?

The Curb system monitors the home by using hardware sensors that connect to the electrical panel. This is the central hub that routes electricity to your home’s appliances and various devices. A sensor is installed on each breaker in the electrical panel. These sensors then monitor energy usage in the home and communicate with Curb’s software to provide you with charts, graphs, and visual overviews of your home’s energy usage — real-time data on trends, activity, even cost.

What energy insights does Curb collect?

Because Curb is plugged into the nervous system of your home, the information it’s capturing is detailed to the granular level. It knows which appliances are turned on and when. It tracks how much power they’re using. It estimates the cost of a given device’s energy usage. And it helps identify abnormal patterns of use, which could indicate potential issues with an appliance or can alert you to when an appliance or lights are accidently left on.

How does Curb help homes become more energy efficient?

Knowledge is power — or in this case, a power-saver. As Curb processes the electrical usage data of your home, it shares it with you in real time via Curb’s mobile app. The app pushes personalized and timely notifications, arming you with tailored information that helps inform your future energy usage habits. You can use the app to see how much you’re spending on electricity at any moment, connect to smart home devices to remotely turn things off or on, and receive electricity safety alerts. Curb also sends weekly emails that not only report your power usage but that also identify changes in your energy consumption from week to week. The emails even include tips and suggestions that are specific to your home and help you conserve energy — and cut costs — the following week.

Discover For Yourself How Curb Works

Contact us at Elevation to learn more about the Curb energy monitor and how you can make your home smarter and more efficient.

What Are Virtual Power Plants

Ongoing efforts to improve energy reliability and sustainability have given rise to the idea of virtual power plants. Unlike a traditional power plant, a virtual power plant applies a decentralized power-generating network, including wind farms, combined heat and power (CHP) units, flexible power consumers, storage systems, and solar parks. The central control room within a virtual plant connects the various assets and ensures their independent operation. That effectively relieves the load on the grid by balancing energy availability with peak use times.

Sustainable Energy Management

Virtual plants promote a sustainable approach to overall energy management. Instead of relying on a fossil fuel-only-based resource, or even a single sustainable resource, such as hydropower resources, virtual energy plants allow for a broad swath of energy resources to be called upon at any moment. As a result, the sharing of energy or energy transfer throughout the virtual network allows areas with fewer renewable resources to tap such resources in other regions and geographies. That is a marked advantage in regions where energy resources, such as geothermal energy, are not necessarily as active or available.

Added Benefits of These Power Plants

The benefits of virtual energy plants are simply too great to ignore. Everyone realizes that renewable sources of energy are the way of the future. Still, problems within traditional grids or how grids are managed, as seen recently within Texas, can have a disastrous impact on overall energy availability. A more proactive approach and use of virtual power plants can avoid potential disruptions and help ensure a well-distributed energy resource is available for centuries to come. The added benefits of virtual energy plants include the following:

• Expansion of the energy grid to overcome periods of high demand.

• Increased forecasting for energy demand to scale production to avoid outages.

• Data-driven energy management and services that keep wholesale energy costs lower for businesses.

• Virtual power plants help to reduce infrastructure shortfalls.
• Virtual power plants also offer contracted management systems.

Get Future Ready

From lower operating costs through the decreased environmental impact and a natural ability to manage the virtual grid remotely, virtual power plants are a next-generation capability of proactive energy management. And implementing those resources is much easier with the right sustainability partnership and solutions provider, such as Elevation. Contact Elevation to find out how you can prepare your home for this bright future.

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Decentralization Is the New Normal for Distributed Energy Resource Management

Distributed energy management used to have a connotation as simply better distributing resources among major energy providers. However, that’s changing in today’s world. The real meaning of distributed energy resource management has now expanded to include homes and everyday facilities that generate energy and pour it back into the grid. As such, the more locations with energy generation will inherently further distribute the grid to promote more agile and responsiveness energy management. In other words, decentralization of energy generation and storage is the clear winner in the top trends of the industry.

Distributed Management Continues to Add New Generation Sites

Part of the jolt created by distributed energy resources comes from the variety of potential energy sources. Among these, solar energy generation, using photovoltaic panels and storage systems has been growing too. And now, solar energy distributed resources are now above the total volume of distributed fossil fuel-generation energy resources. That’s simply due to a host of policies and regulations that have incentivized solar energy en masse. And it will form nearly 67% of all distributed energy resource generation by 2025.

Regulations Favor Energy Resource Management Strategies That Favor Disruption-Free Distribution

Another factor playing into the top trends goes back to the very policies and rules that favor sustainable, renewable energy generation. As further explained by the Energy Information Administration (EIA), these include federal tax incentives and credits for qualifying renewable energy products, grans and loan programs, and additional state-level policies. They are all geared toward incentivizing businesses and other building owners to invest in renewable, distributed energy resources without the high costs of traditional installation and maintenance. In other words, the programs subsidize energy generation and distribution, further pushing it forward in the path toward a lower carbon footprint for the U.S. as a whole.

Renewable Sources of Energy Are Generally Preferred Within Distributed Energy Grids

While it is possible to leverage traditional energy sources, such as fossil fuels, within distributed energy grids, there’s another trend to understand. Since distributed resources hinge on ready availability and lower overhead (in terms of oil production and transport), there is a clear preference for renewable sources of energy. Furthermore, net metering technologies are allowing utility service providers to track energy generated, used, fed back into the grid and more. As a result, utility companies can take advantage of individual people and companies that have taken the steps to install sustainable systems and batteries, all without sacrificing their own profitability and energy demand.

Diverse Distributed Resources Are Adding New Levels of Scalability and Cost to Help Organizations of All Sizes Tap Their Value

Even as companies look to maximize all available resources, distributed energy resources further promote scalability. In other words, existing utility companies can access additional power reserves within the batteries or energy generation sites. That is best exemplified by looking at solar energy production. For instance, solar panels cannot generate energy during low-light or night-time hours. As such, their reserve power rests in the power cells of large batteries on site.

While these power cells may not be large enough to power a whole home, they do offer an additional resource that can be scaled to meet demand. Building on this example, companies could tap an extra kwh of energy from every site to provide ample power when there are periods of high demand. Meanwhile, using other resources, like virtual power plants, it’s possible to connect into grids and energy reserves in areas not experiencing high demands. Granted, that is a complex process, which is why more utility service providers make the decision to outsource distributed energy resource management to experienced third parties.

Choose the Right Partner to Maximize Investment in Distributed Energy Resources

Any strategy for successful use of distributed energy management must come from those that understand the nuances, scalability and best practices to apply decentralized energy generation and distribution. And these trends reflect the growing consensus that distributed energy resources are the next wave of energy management and fiscal stability in business overhead. Learn more about how your organization can be part of the sustainability future by exploring what Elevation has to offer. Contact Elevation today to get started.

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Around-the-Clock Energy Access

The first benefit of solar energy storage is the simplest and easiest to understand. A solar energy storage system provides a way to access energy around-the-clock. Obviously, this energy was generated by photovoltaic cells or a CSP system, and that is what sets it apart from other energy storage systems. Furthermore, other energy storage means, such as using flywheels, are not necessarily designed or readily available for use in common commercial or residential applications, reserved most often for large-scale energy production facilities. This benefit further plays into the balancing of energy loads, expanding power generation when necessary, to reduce strain on existing grids. In a sense, a solar energy storage system can even become its own microgrid, disconnecting when power is available and reconnecting to supply other energy users when necessary. And by the same token, they connect into larger virtual power plants too.

Provides Energy Grid Resilience

The scalability and value of a decentralized energy storage system further promote the ideal of energy grid resilience. During times of extreme demand, such as major peaks during the hottest and coldest times of the year, outages may occur. But when the power returns, it creates a vacuum that dramatically increases strain and can cause energy grids to fail. Instead, a solar energy storage system alleviates the burden and provides a degree of resilience. As a result, energy and utility service providers can allocate resources more effectively and prevent further outages.

Zero-Carbon Energy Storage and Distribution

The lack of a carbon footprint is yet another opportunity to leverage solar energy storage systems to keep costs under control and to lessen the environmental impact. Since the energy stored is generated without causing pollution, it is a more economic and long-term strategy for energy production, and dissemination. However, it is important to realize that even storing energy within a battery will have an environmental cost in the form of using raw materials to create that battery. It is in that space where organizations must find a happy medium and be able to ensure that their batteries and equipment will live up to long-term expectations.

Solar Energy Storage Options Provide Peace of Mind for Sensitive Equipment

While the list of solar energy storage system options is extensive, there’s another major benefit. Using automated sensors that detect when the power goes out, solar energy storage systems serve as a backup power supply. That’s a vital advantage for all companies with high-priority energy needs. For instance, health facilities could rely on such systems to power critical equipment, including ventilators, medication pumps, and more. In other settings, such systems provide an uninterrupted power supply to process payments and help to minimize the damage or disruption caused by an outage.

Lower Your Carbon Footprint With a Solar Energy Storage System From Elevation

All entities, including both commercial and residential installations, can benefit from the use of a combined solar panel array and solar energy storage system. And by putting these two technologies together, it’s easier and faster to tap the limitless power of the sun day or night. Contact Elevation to get started.

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