A series of 12 solar-plus-storage projects with a combined capacity of 12MWh are expected to start operating by October in North Carolina – which claims to have “one of the largest solar-plus-storage portfolios” in the US.
The projects, featuring LG Chem’s lithium-ion batteries, will be co-developed by US solar company Cypress Creek Renewables (CCR), construction firm United Renewable Energy (URE) and electric cooperative Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation (BEMC).
URE has developed the project structure and power purchase agreements with BEMC, allowing the cooperative utility in Southeastern North Carolina to benefit from the energy storage capacity in the batteries while purchasing solar energy at avoided cost. CCR acquired the projects and provided late stage project development, financing and construction.
The solar portion of the system will charge the batteries during off-peak periods. Once the batteries are charged, the solar portion of the projects will continue to deliver energy to the grid.
During BEMC’s peak load times, the projects will provide reliable energy using the solar panels and/or the batteries and will be expected to meet the demand of the utility’s peak power.
Ben Van de Bunt, chairman of CCR, said: “Energy storage is a key component for solar. We see energy storage as inevitable. It makes solar 24/7 and permits us to be better partners to everyone in the energy food chain.”