Commercial Solar Energy Storage Solutions

When integrating solar technology with an energy storage solution, it takes a high degree of experience and knowledge to ensure solar panels and solar batteries work together in a way that helps your organization realize its energy goals. Solar installations alone generate energy on-site and provide savings by reducing your net consumption of energy from the grid. Adding battery storage to your solar installation helps increase savings by reducing the demand charge component of your utility bill and shifting grid energy usage to less expensive times of the day. SunPower's commercial storage solutions increase energy savings with our intelligent control system, which uses advanced predictive analytics to charge and discharge energy from the batteries at precise times for maximum benefit.

As a commercial customer, you likely see—and pay for—two types of charges on your monthly utility bill. The first of these is your energy charge, which is calculated by multiplying your total energy use for the month (measured in kilowatt-hours) by your energy rate. The other charge you’ll see on your monthly bill is what’s known as a demand charge and is typically calculated by looking at the greatest amount of power (measured in kilowatts) you need during any of the thousands of "demand intervals" that make up a billing cycle.* In most instances, a demand meter literally measures (and averages) your power "demand" in 15-minute timeframes throughout the month, and reports this information back to your utility.* This reported peak-kilowatt level is then multiplied by a specific rate, which determines your demand charges. For example, if your utility charges $10 per kilowatt (kW) per month, and your peak-demand interval power requirement is 100 kW within a month, you’ll pay $1,000 in demand charges that month ($10 x 100 kW). Remember, this is on top of your energy charges.

Costs vary from project to project and are impacted by many factors—project location, utility rates, available tax incentives and more are all key considerations in determining the value of commercial battery storage solutions. SunPower will work with you to develop a thorough analysis of your unique situation and help determine if integrating solar energy storage is the right choice for you.

When solar and battery storage are purchased as a joint solution, the combined system is eligible for the Federal ITC. However, if solar energy storage solutions are secured independently and added to an existing solar installation, the solar battery portion of that system will not be eligible for the ITC. That said, tax credits are subject to change and SunPower does not warrant, guarantee or otherwise advise its partners or customers about specific tax outcomes. We suggest that you consult with your tax advisor regarding the solar tax credit and how it applies to your specific circumstances. You can also visit www.dsireusa.org for detailed solar policy information.