Maximizing the Value of Customer-Sited PV Systems Using Storage And Controls
Thomas E. Hoff, Clean Power Research
Richard Perez, ASRC, The University at Albany
Robert M. Margolis, NREL

This paper determines how the value of customer-sited PV can be increased with battery storage by enhancing the load management and outage protection attributes of PV. Case studies in San Jose, CA and Long Island, NY for residential and commercial PV applications are used for a quantitative illustration of storage value enhancement. Results indicate that: (1) a small amount of storage for local load control and a larger amount of storage for emergency load protection significantly increases the value of distributed PV to the customer; (2) the value of PV combined with emergency storage exceeds the sum of the value of these options implemented separately; and (3) there is a potential opportunity to use dispersed PV + storage to enhance grid security (capturing this value, however, will require regulatory and policy changes).

Moving Towards a More Comprehensive Framework to Evaluate Distributed Photovoltaics
Thomas E. Hoff, Clean Power Research
Robert M. Margolis, National Renewable Energy Lab

There is a growing interest in customer-owned generation with a particular interest in photovoltaic (PV) systems. This has resulted in a growing number of analytical studies aimed at determining their value. Two difficulties that these studies have encountered are how to select the proper evaluation perspective and which benefits and costs to include in the analysis.

This paper presents a framework to perform a more comprehensive analysis. It frames the established Standard Practice Tests used for demand side management costeffectiveness evaluation within a benefit-cost matrix and then expands this matrix to include additional perspectives and benefits/costs. It also suggests which benefits/costs apply from the various perspectives for customer-owned distributed PV systems. This paper is not a final word on the subject. Rather, it is intended to facilitate a discussion that will lead to a more formalized set of tests to evaluate distributed PV systems. It is also hoped that it will stimulate the development of analytical methods for benefits that have been identified but for which evaluation methodologies do not exist.

Small Wind Electric Systems: A U.S. Consumer's Guide
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy
The purpose of this guide is to provide you with the basic information about small wind electric systems to help you decide if wind energy will work for you.