High demand for photovoltaic (PV), battery, and small-scale combined heat and power (CHP) technologies are driving a virtuous cycle of technological improvements and cost reductions in off-grid electric systems that increasingly compete with the grid market. Using a case study in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, this paper quantifies the economic viability of off-grid PV+battery+CHP adoption and evaluates potential implications for grid-based utility models. The analysis shows that already some households could save money by switching to a solar hybrid off-grid system in comparison to the effective electric rates they are currently paying. Across the region by 2020, 92% of seasonal households and ~75% of year-round households are projected to meet electricity demands with lower costs. Furthermore, ~65% of all Upper Peninsula single-family owner-occupied households will both meet grid parity and be able to afford the systems by 2020. The results imply that economic circumstances could spur a positive feedback loop whereby grid electricity prices continue to rise and increasing numbers of customers choose alternatives (sometimes referred to as a "utility death spiral"), particularly in areas with relatively high electric utility rates. Utility companies and policy makers must take the potential for grid defection seriously when evaluating energy supply strategies.
Summary: J. Pearce. Consumers Can Profit from Leaving the Grid. Huffington Post Green 5.31.2016.
See also[edit | edit source]
- Levelized cost of electricity for solar photovoltaic, battery and cogen hybrid systems
- Performance of U.S. hybrid distributed energy systems: Solar photovoltaic, battery and combined heat and power
- The Potential for Grid Defection of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Using Solar Photovoltaic, Battery and Generator Hybrid Systems
- Review of solar levelized cost
- PV and CHP Hybrid System
- Hybrid photovoltaic-trigeneration systems
- Simulations of Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions from Low-Cost Hybrid Solar Photovoltaic and Cogeneration Systems for New Communities
- Photovoltaic plus combined heat and power
- PV and CHP Literature review
- Policies to Overcome Barriers for Renewable Energy Distributed Generation: A Case Study of Utility Structure and Regulatory Regimes in Michigan
- Economic viability of captive off-grid solar photovoltaic and diesel hybrid energy systems for the Nigerian private sector
- Vermont Utility helping customers leave the grid for fixed monthly fee
- Examining interconnection and net metering policy for distributed generation in the United States
- Economic viability of captive off-grid solar photovoltaic and diesel hybrid energy systems for the Nigerian private sector
- Energy Policy for Energy Sovereignty: Can policy tools enhance energy sovereignty?
- The energy crises revealed by COVID: Intersections of Indigeneity, inequity, and health
- A review of the value of solar methodology with a case study of the U.S. VOS
- Applying a Relationally and Socially Embedded Decision Framework to Solar Photovoltaic Adoption: A Conceptual Exploration
- Economics of Grid-Tied Solar Photovoltaic Systems Coupled to Heat Pumps: The Case of Northern Climates of the U.S. and Canada
- Decarbonizing rural residential buildings in cold climates: A techno-economic analysis of heating electrification
- Demonstration of the integrated rural energy planning framework for sustainable energy development in low-income countries: Case studies of rural communities in Nigeria
- Strategic Investment in Open Hardware for National Security
- Achieving 100% Renewable and Self-Sufficient Electricity in Impoverished, Rural, Northern Climates: Case Studies from Upper Michigan, USA
- Open source decarbonization for a sustainable world
- Can grid-tied solar photovoltaics lead to residential heating electrification? A techno-economic case study in the midwestern U.S.
- http://www.utilityratewatch.org/
In the News[edit | edit source]
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| Would You Live Off the Grid? - TV6 & FOX UP |
- Leaving the Electrical Grid in the Upper Peninsula- MTU News, Science Daily, Science News Online, ECN Magazine, Phys.org, Home Land Security, E Science News
- Leave The Grid In The UP? Michigan Tech Team Finds It Feasible - Tech Century
- Solar and Cogeneration is the Answer for Cold and Cloudy Climates - Solar Thermal Magazine
- Net metering changes could drive people off grid, Michigan researchers say - MidWest Energy News
- Off the Grid in the Upper Peninsula - ASME
- Report: Distributed resources to impact grid-based utility supply strategies - Smart Grid News
- How Utilities Are Fighting Back on Solar Power - Consumer Reports, Yahoo News
- State Senate bill may change solar power credit rules - TV6 Fox UP
- High energy costs fuel solar boom; net metering caps spur big solar fight in the U.P. Solar United Neighbors
- ---
- Subsidizing coal and nuclear power could drive customers off the grid -- The Conversation 5663,
- Chicago Tribune -1849,
- The problem with subsidizing nuclear power and coal - Salon 2784
- Los Angeles Post 5335,
- Phys.org, 7214
- Washington's Top News 16110,
- Lincoln Journal Star 29303,
- Tucson-Arizona Daily Star 37,778
- EcoWatch 43793,
- Renewable Energy World 70963,
- LaCrosse Tribune 99515,
- Rapid City Journal 113998,
- Cache Valley Daily,
- The Daily Times (Blunt County)TN,
- Independent Record,
- Globe Gazette,
- Nuclear Atmosphere,
- Environment Guru,
- Phil's Stock World,
- Idaho Press Tribune
- Chippewa Herald
- Fort Bend Herald
- Desmog, The Energy Collective
- SciTech Connect
- The Electrochemical Society
- Could Rick Perry's grid plan spur 'utility death spiral'? -- EE News 125993
- Upper Peninsula groups see a bigger role for solar, efficiency- US Energy News
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