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Solar and Storage Cut New England’s Peak Costs by $20 Million - On June 24, New England hit its highest peak demand in over a decade at more than 26,000 MW. Behind-the-meter solar shaved 2,400 MW off what would have been a 28,400 MW peak and delayed it to the evening. This shift saved ratepayers nearly $20 million in wholesale costs. With storage in the mix, solar proved it can deliver during critical hours and strengthen grid reliability.
More solar good news!
On June 24, New England hit its highest peak demand in over a decade, more than 26,000 MW at 7 p.m. Behind-the-meter solar stepped in and delivered.
It shaved 2,400 MW off what would have been the true peak—28,400 MW around 3:40 p.m.—and helped delay it to 7 p.m., when it landed just over 26,000 MW. That single shift saved ratepayers nearly $20 million in wholesale electricity costs, according to ISO-NE and the Acadia Center.
This is a big deal. Solar installed on homes and businesses carried nearly a tenth of the region’s heaviest load. It’s proof that the tandem of solar and storage works and is ready when needed. It's already in place. No new permitting. It doesn't wait for supply chains. And when the grid calls for help, there’s no interconnection drama. It’s just: do you have the energy?
Critics have long claimed that solar can’t help with peak demand. That it’s too intermittent to be reliable.
And yes, solar alone has limits. That’s always been the Achilles heel.
But this time, solar wasn’t alone. Storage was in the mix.
This wasn’t a failure. It was a tag team performance.
Solar plus storage stepped up. And this combo should be everywhere. It isn’t just a cost-saver. It’s a stability tool. A reliability lever. A community resource.
This isn’t about what solar can’t do. It’s about what it just did. And what’s possible if we scale the models that are already working.
Anyone else tracking local wins like this? Seen it in your community or your projects? Would love to hear what this looks like from your side.
https://www.rtoinsider.com/109579-behind-the-meter-solar-shines-iso-ne-capacity-deficiency-event/
Author: Jon Lamson