Stem is a global leader in AI-driven clean energy solutions and services. As the first pure play energy company on the New York Stock Exchange (“STEM”), Stem helps partners and customers maximize the economic, environmental, and resiliency value of energy assets and portfolios. Learn more here.
Athena leverages best-in-class data engineering, forecasting, and optimization to maximize ROI and performance for every system in our network. The platform consists of scalable applications as you grow, including Analyzer™ – for site simulation and revenue modeling data; Bidder™ – an automated market participation tool; Supervisor™ – to view system operation and real-time performance; Explorer™ – to review energy savings & system performance data; and PowerTrack – to monitor, control, and optimize clean energy portfolios. Learn more here.
The latest advancements for clean energy technology includes Stem’s newly unified enterprise energy optimization platform, Athena®, that works with solar, storage, EV charging, and other renewable and distributed energy projects. Benefits include increased revenue, automated market participation, monitor tools, and real-time performance. Learn more here.
Stem helps hundreds of partners and customers successfully achieve revenue and sustainability goals with clean energy while building a cleaner, more resilient electricity grid. Read Stem’s case studies here.
Stem’s culture embodies diversity & inclusion beyond the traditional facets of gender, ethnicity, age, disabilities, and sexual orientation. Our values include prioritizing diverse experience, personality, communication, workstyles, and more. Stem is currently hiring for all departments. View our open roles here.
When you sign up for Stem’s monthly newsletter, you’ll be up-to-date on all the latest news, announcements, webinars, and newly published content. Sign up here.
When you add battery storage to a solar project you gain control over solar generation and distribution – allowing energy to be used when it’s most valuable. With the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (ACT), solar EPCs and project developers can leverage incentives like Standalone Storage Investment Tax Credits (ITC) and Solar Product Tax Credits (PTC). Learn more about solar + storage here.
As part of the IRA, project developers can receive up to 70% of the project’s cost through ITCs. To reach the full 70%, incentives need to be stacked. For example, by using Stem’s interactive map, you can see the areas best suited for stacked incentives by overlapping Energy Communities with Low Income Communities and Tribal Lands. Access Map
Stem developed an interactive map that displays energy communities that are prime for solar retrofit projects. Solar developers, asset owners, and EPCs can use this map to capitalize on the Investment Tax Credits made available through the Inflation Reduction Act. Access Map
The different layers of data that comprise Stem’s IRA map are derived from several different federal government agencies, such as the Energy Information Administration, the Department of the Interior, and the Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant, Communities, and Economic Revitalization. Links to their respective reports are in the map. Access Map
The focus of NERC’s compliance program is to improve the reliability of the bulk power system in North America by impartially and consistently enforcing their Reliability Standards. Specifically, the program is designed to ensure correct practices are in place to reduce the likelihood and severity of future system disturbances.
Although the project owner is responsible for registering a facility with NERC when a solar PV site is fully commissioned, planning for NERC compliance should be addressed early in the project development. Compliance regulations can be daunting and confusing, requiring time and expertise to navigate and keep projects on target. Read More
NERC compliance is ultimately about ensuring that solar PV projects – whether new or existing – are operating and integrated safely into the electric grid at all times. This is achieved through mandatory reliability standards that cover a broad range of topics, including personnel safety, equipment maintenance, and cybersecurity.
NERC standards are designed to ensure that solar PV projects operate safely, instilling public confidence in the reliability and resilience of the North American power grid. It is important to note that NERC compliance is mandatory for all entities that operate on the power grid, which includes anyone who develops, owns, or manages solar PV projects.
For solar PV developers, NERC compliance is a critical factor to consider in the planning stages of a project. Compliance with NERC standards must be integrated into the overall design of a solar PV project, ensuring that it is constructed and operated safely and follows NERC guidelines from the outset. Read More
If constructing a solar PV farm large enough to interconnect at a transmission level of 100 kV or higher and designed to have enough production capacity to have greater than 75 MVA behind that interconnection, the project is considered part of the Bulk Electric System and must register with NERC. Read More
NERC compliance is an essential aspect of solar PV projects, and it’s a regulatory requirement that developers, owners, and managers cannot ignore. By following NERC standards, asset managers, solar project owners, and developers can protect public safety and contribute to the reliability and security of the North American power grid. NERC compliance is also critical in maintaining the public’s confidence in the power grid’s safety and stability. With the continued growth of solar PV projects, compliance with NERC standards will remain crucial to ensure solar energy’s long-term success and sustainability as part of the wider energy landscape.
An emerging new standard is the NERC GO-IBR registered entity function which will apply to transmission connected inverter base resources between 75MVA and 20MVA aggregate nameplate capacity. The new standards will be implemented over the next 3 year period, and AlsoEnergy will closely monitor this standard development in order to inform future solutions and provide related solution expertise to customers. Read More
Providing safety for critical infrastructures, AlsoEnergy’s solutions are designed to protect your solar PV system resources. With PA 220 Firewalls using an IPSec tunnel and VPN client, our full cybersecurity and networking configuration are designed to meet your NERC and CIP requirements. Read More
The MISO market, which stands for Midcontinent Independent System Operator, refers to the regional transmission organization responsible for managing electricity transmission in 15 U.S. states, including Illinois. MISO’s primary function is to ensure the reliable operation of the electrical grid and facilitate competitive wholesale electricity markets. It plays a crucial role in managing the flow of electricity and coordinating the supply and demand of electricity within its region.
The Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act is a comprehensive legislative package enacted in Illinois. It aims to address climate change, promote clean energy, and create equitable job opportunities in the state.
The Illinois Distributed Generation Rebate, also known as the DG Rebate, is an incentive program that offers financial support for deploying renewable energy assets. Under this program, solar capacity receives a rebate of $250 per kilowatt (kW), while storage capacity receives a rebate of $250 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). These rebates help offset the upfront costs of installing solar and storage systems. With the DG Rebate, commercial solar+storage projects can achieve a rate of return of over 20% with limited downside risk, making it an attractive option for renewable energy investments.
In MISO auctions, a vertical demand curve is employed to determine capacity pricing. This curve represents that capacity is free or expensive, with limited pricing flexibility. The market can experience rapid fluctuations, where capacity prices can quickly switch between the two extremes. This unique characteristic of the vertical demand curve in MISO auctions distinguishes it from other markets that may have more gradual price changes based on supply and demand dynamics. This means that end users in MISO can be subject to very volatile rates, which storage is uniquely positioned to help offset.
Solar Self-Consumption is when an Energy Storage Solution can intelligently store excess energy and then determine when to use it during expensive Time of Use rates. Read More
Solar is not effective at reducing demand charges. A dispatchable resource, like energy storage, is needed to address this growing component of customer bills. Read More
To help maintain value, storage paired with solar can consume extra solar generation that would have otherwise been exported and can discharge during times when energy is more valuable than the NEM compensation rate. Read More
Sites can discharge stored energy during the new on-peak hours to offset the site’s energy draw from the grid and reduce costs. Read More
A microgrid is a relatively small, controllable power system composed of one or more generation units connected to nearby users that can be operated with, or independently from, the local bulk transmission system, typically a local utility company. Microgrids can disconnect from the main grid to function autonomously in “island mode.” Read More
Customers with electric loads from buildings or electric vehicle (EV) charging stations that could be powered by islanded generation units can benefit from a microgrid. End users who benefit from a microgrid include municipalities (e.g., WWTP), campuses, and commercial & industrial customers, federal agencies, and electric cooperatives. Read More
Stem’s microgrid solution consists of an advanced energy storage system (ESS), a custom-built microgrid controller, and our Athena® AI-driven software – all integral components of a clean energy intelligence platform. Read More
Incentives are available on a regional basis for energy storage projects. Click through to see where Stem’s expertise can help leverage your position. Read More
Stem’s energy experts guide you through a detailed and technical design process to: appropriate sizing to ensure your microgrid can meet demand; ensure a grounding transformer is used to support single phase loads; apply ground fault protection for island situations; PV inverters should have modbus communication and should have the ability to be curtailed remotely; and employ load management devices such as relays or integration to manage the load. Read More
An energy storage solution (ESS) can benefit municipalities to:
If you have a Showpad login for Stem University
Access Stem University Here
If you do not have a Showpad login for Stem University
Register Here