Dive Brief:
- Stem Inc. and Kyocera Solar Inc. have teamed up to offer an integrated solar photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage solution for commercial power users in California, Hawaii and New York.
- The companies said Stem’s behind-the-meter energy storage and analytics enable rapid response to spikes in commercial customers’ electricity demand when combined with Kyocera's high-performance solar modules. Stem says such systems can save customers up to 20 percent on electric bills.
- The systems are designed to provide additional capacity to utilities during periods of variable solar generation and peak demand, and Stem believes its system can predict power usage up to 30 days in advance.
Dive Insight:
Storage and solar go hand-in-hand, Stem said, and Japan's Kyocera is the first solar provider to offer the company's systems.
“Intelligent energy storage is a natural fit for PV—and our solution integrates seamlessly with Kyocera’s solar technology to bring new value to the commercial market,” Stem CEO John Carrington said. “Kyocera’s expertise in providing turnkey solutions through its technology partners presents a great opportunity for Stem as we expand our offering to solar customers.”
Stem’s storage systems draw on previously-stored power to reduce energy costs, and the company said that in aggregate it can provide additional capacity to utilities during periods of variable solar generation and peak demand. By charging the on-site battery from the utility grid when rates are lowest, Stem claims it can save customers up to 20 percent on their annual electricity bill.
“Kyocera is an industry leader in solar module reliability, and the Stem platform will optimize our customers’ energy use through real-time data and state-of-the-art energy storage technology,” said Steve Hill, president of Kyocera Solar Inc. “Simply put, we believe our comprehensive solution offers a greater return, in a shorter period, and with a longer total lifespan, than any competing renewable energy system.”