1. Integrating Solar Inverters Into the Smart Grid
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Integrating Solar Inverters Into the Smart Grid
Tom Tansy
SunSpec Alliance
June 24, 2014

2. Today’s Presenters
Tom Tansy
SunSpec
Martin McCue
Moxa

3. Agenda Introduce the SunSpec Alliance U.S. solar market outlook
Trends driving the smart inverter market
Opportunities for integrators
Q & A

4. Now 60+ members strong, SunSpec has com a long way.
In the past four years, we have approved and published 10 specifications, and have several new ones in the works.
SunSpec’s latest contributions to the industry include specifications for cybersecurity, inverter control, and plant data reporting.
All specifications are available for free download and implementation from SunSpec.org,
I am happy to report that SunSpec standards have been adopted both commercially and in the international standards community.
We are united in our effort to establish a common language for the industry.

5. SunSpec Information Standards
Inverter
Bulk Data
Exchange
Meter
Finance Risk
Assessment
String
Grid
Operations
Plant
Controller
Internet VPN
Module
Data Store
Cloud
SCADA
Storage
Regulatory Reporting
Enviro
Custom Apps
Tracker
Solar Plant
End-To-End Security Monitoring & Control
Applications

6. Standards Drive Innovation and Value
Performance
Cost
Complexity
Risk
Plant Operations
Grid Control
Risk Assessment

7. Audience Poll # 1 What is your role in the solar industry?

8. U.S. Solar Market Outlook

9. More PV Installed in Q4 2013 Than All of 2011So
More PV Installed in Q Than All of 2011
2013: 4,751 MW 140,000 installations
$13.7B market size
Source: Greentech Research, April 2014
Source: GTM Research/SEIA U.S. Solar Market Insight

10. National Market Is Forming
Source: Greentech Research, April 2014
Source: GTM Research/SEIA U.S. Solar Market Insight

11. But Concentration Remains In A Few States
2013 Installations
Residential
Non-Residential
Source: Greentech Research, April 2014
Source: GTM Research/SEIA U.S. Solar Market Insight

12. Audience Poll #2 How big was the U.S. solar market in 2013?

13. Trends Driving The Smart Inverter Market

14. Professional Investing Era Has Started
“SolarCity Securitization Deal Jolts Solar Energy Industry”
“NRG Yield IPO ‘could transform access to capital’”
“SolarCity Announces Pricing of Second Securitization”
“SunEdison up 9% on ‘yieldco’ IPO news”

15. U.S. RE Industry Needs A Lot Of Capital
Source: Financing U.S. Renewable Energy Projects Through Public Capital Vehicles: Qualitative and Quantitative Benefits (2013); Mendelsohn, M. Feldman, D.

16. Most Capital Unavailable to RE Investment
Source: The CityUK
Source: The CityUK

17. Public Capital Vehicles Could Lower LCOE 8-16%
Source: Financing U.S. Renewable Energy Projects Through Public Capital Vehicles: Qualitative and Quantitative Benefits (2013); Mendelsohn, M. Feldman, D.

18. Early Commercialization Finance Gap
Transitional Assistance Needed

19. Solar Access To Public Capital Initiative
Goals
Cover early commercialization gap
Investigate way to expand capital base
Lower costs of RE financing
Results
Identified public market mechanisms
Securitization
Master Limited Partnerships
Delivered standard documents & processes
Engaged 250 investors & developers
Initiated “mock” securitization
Download:

20. Concerns About Grid Imbalances Are Growing

21. California Rule 21 Changes Coming
Rule 21 defines how solar plants connect to the grid
New revision permits smart inverters
To “support” the grid
Enable new services & revenue streams
Set stage for U.S. rollout

22. Smart Inverters & Storage Coming Together
Demand Response
Storage
Generation
Wider Operating Range (lower Pmin)
Voltage Support
Regulation
Fast Ramping
Frequency Response
Dispatchable Solar/Wind
Over Generation Mitigation
Dispatchable Quick Start
Load Shift
Peak Load Reduction

23. EPRI/SunSpec California Solar Initiative Smart Inverter Test & Certification Program
Supported by leaders
SMA, Fronius
SCE, SMUD
Sandia, UL
Demo full integration
Technical controls
Market signals
Utility networks
Enables broad deployment
Sets stage for U.S. roll out
Harmonizes safety standards

24. Opportunities for Integrators

25. Early Smart Inverter Projects
Cooperate with utilities
Build revenue models
Showcase expertise

26. Last Mile Network Integration
Private
Cloud
Inverter
Grid
Operations
Meter
Utility/ISO
Plant Controller
String
Module
Public
Cloud
Storage
Plant Controller
IPP
O&M
Enviro
Tracker
Solar Plant
End-To-End Security, Monitoring & Control
Applications

27. PV + Storage Solutions
California mandate to add 1,325 MW storage by 2020
Cal ISO enabling “Flexible Ramping” product sales
“Second Life” EV batteries driving economics

28. Summary Smart inverter era has started Opportunities emerging
New deployment scenarios
New revenue & product/service opportunities
Broader utility cooperation
Act now to lead this exciting field

29. Information Standards for Distributed Energy
Questions & Answers
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Information Standards for Distributed Energy
Tom Tansy