Solar-storage funding for New York businesses
New York plans to make $40 million available in November for commercial and industrial (C&I) solar-storage projects, including community solar gardens.
This is the first time the state has offered funding for storage since it released its energy storage roadmap in June. The Public Service Commission is accepting comments on the roadmap through October 31 (Docket number 18-E-0130).
New York is trying to spur development of 1,500 MW of energy storage by 2025 and make renewables 50 percent of its electricity supply by 2030. Cuomo plans to announce a larger 2030 energy storage target in late 2018.
The state expects the $40 million incentive to add at least 50 MW of solar-storage and reduce barriers to customer acquisition, siting, and interconnection of the technology.
The money will come from the state’s $1 billion NY-Sun fund, a program that has resulted so far in 85,327 solar projects with a total capacity of 1,203.2 MW.
Separately, the NY Green Bank plans to invest at least $200 million in energy storage. The Green Bank has issued a request for information to project developers seeking input on how to best support energy storage and address financing gaps. Responses are due December 31.
Sunrun top solar-storge company: Navigant
Sunrun ranked as the market leader for solar-storage in a new report from Navigant Research that examines 12 residential vendors based on their strategy and execution.
“Sunrun has focused on leveraging multiple roles through turnkey services or strategic partnerships across the project delivery value chain to drive down costs and enable financing innovation to increase customer acceptance and participation,” says Ian McClenny, research analyst with Navigant Research. “Additionally, Sunrun utilizes a comprehensive energy storage software platform that analyzes business cases based on local markets and optimizes customer or grid service revenue streams.”
Sunrun bested Tesla and Vivint Solar, companies performing well on sales, but trailing in terms of market vision and production strategy, according to the report.
Others in the top 10 were: E.ON, SunPower, Sunplug, Sunnova, Huawei, Soligent and ZEN Energy.
Navigant says to stay competitive in solar-storage, industry players must continue to develop a solid go-to-market strategy that proves their staying power.
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