SHINES initiative testing integrated solar technology in several homes
Researchers working on the Sustainable and Holistic Integration of Energy Storage and Solar Photovoltaic (SHINES) initiative are testing integrated solar and battery technology at three test sites, Gulf Energy recently announced.
Two side-by-side homes in Pensacola, Florida were selected as one of the test sites. The homes have similar energy-consumption loads and are located at the end of a distribution line, making them more prone to voltage fluctuations.
Workers will install solar panels, battery storage at the homes, which will help minimize voltage
fluctuations and use solar power more efficiently.
“These homes will be the first to integrate photovoltaic systems, smart home technology, and weather forecasting equipment,” Kimberly Blair, Gulf Power spokesperson, said. “For the first time, we’re combining components together into a complete system where everything operates in unison.”
SHINES is led by the Electric Power Research Institute and comprises utilities, universities and contractors. Gulf Energy, Southern Power and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) SunShot Initiative are funding the three-year project. SHINES seeks to solve problems associated with adding more solar to the grid.
“As we get more solar on the grid, the challenge will be how to maintain an efficient, reliable, and low-cost system for the rest of the customers,” Blair said. “The challenges come from the variability and unpredictability of solar.”
Five other SHINES research projects led by utilities and universities are working on similar projects aimed at resolving challenges to creating integrated PV energy storage solutions.
