COLCHESTER, Vt. (WCAX) – As could be expected, solar power production tanked during Monday’s total eclipse.
But what could have otherwise caused complications in the regional power grid was instead offset by battery storage, according to Green Mountain Power. GMP officials say their network of stored energy in customers’ homes and elsewhere replaced that lost solar power to meet the grid’s needs and save customers money.
“Our stored energy programs are a great example of the future of the grid happening right now in homes all over Vermont. They offer local resiliency and grid stability while importantly lowering costs for all. The total solar eclipse that crossed New England proved to be a great opportunity to show this in action,” GMP President and CEO Mari McClure said in a statement.
The utility says it has about 500 energy storage customers in its Frequency Regulation Pilot program.