Three studies: solar-plus-storage ... the technology will disrupt the power sector

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7. One could check out the story

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/is-grid-defection-still-a-threat-to-the-utility-business-model/440272/

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The fact of the matter is that relatively few customers are looking to add storage to their solar systems in order to cut the cord with their utility. Grid defection is neither viable as an investment decision nor as a business model for most companies.

But some companies are exploring the possibilities of combining storage with rooftop solar panels. In Ontario, Alectra Utilities, the third largest municipal utility in North America, began exploring solar-plus-storage about a year and half ago through its Power.House pilot program.

Through the program, Alectra aggregates residential solar-plus-storage installations to create a virtual power plant. The original program, since expanded, encompassed 20 houses, each with a 5-kW solar array and 6.8-kW, 11.4-kWh lithium-ion battery.

Alectra owns and operates the Power.House installations and guarantees customers savings of $100 a month in exchange for an ongoing service fee and a $3,500 upfront payment. The company also promises customers that at least 50% of their energy storage capacity will be available as backup power.

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Solar does not mean the end of the grid or the end of utilities.