With a plethora of prominent stories surfacing recently about our stressed, and sometimes failing national or regional energy grids, we’ve all had a crash course on the challenges associated with our massive and aging grids in the U.S. Thankfully, solar is enabling a new strategy that can work wonders for individuals, communities, and our nation as a whole—introducing the microgrid!
A microgrid is any localized and self-contained energy system that integrates distributed energy resources, such as solar panels and energy storage systems to supply electricity to a specific area, building complex, or community. Think of a small community where everyone has rooftop solar, or there is a nearby ground-based solar installation with battery storage systems for storing the collected energy. In a way, a home solar system with battery backup could be seen as the smallest form of a microgrid (a micro-microgrid?).
Microgrids can operate independently or in conjunction with the main power grid, but the true strength comes in when it disconnects and functions independently during grid outages. Your house or a small development can be entirely self-sufficient in the effect of a grid outage or weather emergency. With a microgrid, you and your neighbors can become your own power plant, one that is more resilient, reliable, and cost-effective. Efficiency even comes into play as electricity transmission over long distances can result in energy losses due to resistance in the power lines. Microgrids generate energy close to the point of consumption, reducing these losses and increasing overall efficiency.
In a recent story about North Carolina’s first microgrid development, Elham Akhavan, a senior research analyst at Wood Mackenzie—a consultancy specializing in the energy and renewables sectors—claimed there may already be over 3,500 microgrids in the U.S., so the concept isn’t necessarily new, but it is gaining more visibility. People who have become wary of large storms and volatile energy prices are beginning to seek out housing that has a more self-sufficient energy supply or that is integrated into a microgrid. And developers are taking notice as well. They see it as a way to increase the value of their own developments and lure more buyers, all while helping to make their projects more sustainable and resilient.
Microgrids are poised to empower individuals and communities to harness the power of the sun, making them a pivotal tool in transitioning towards a sustainable and robust energy future. Talk to your neighbors, community leaders, or a developer, and see if you’re ready to be a part of a connected microgrid. Or get started now by creating your own “microgrid”. With a home solar system with battery storage, you can store excess solar energy generated during the day for use during the evenings or any time your home needs to tap into extra power—decreasing your reliance on the grid and increasing your energy independence!
