SEIA launches white paper series on grid modernization

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) recently released a white paper, New Opportunities for Solar Through Grid Modernization, which is the first in a series detailing steps for updating the electric
grid in the United States.

The recently released white paper explores policies implemented by California and New York designed to encourage the use of clean distributed energy resources and save ratepayers money.

“Our goal is to help inform the conversation so distributed energy technologies can continue to flourish,” SEIA president and CEO Abigail Ross Hopper said. “Consumers deserve reliable, low-cost, clean power
and this is easily achievable by tackling grid modernization correctly.”

In the white paper, SEIA describes the political landscapes and current policies in California and New York and examines the ways in which regulators are currently addressing grid modernization. The paper explains that, although these two states have made progress, they are still in the beginning phases of grid modernization. It goes on to highlight the need for better information from utilities and rate designs that better incorporate distributed resources.

SEIA will continue the white paper series with quarterly papers over the next year on topics including modernizing utility system planning, updating frameworks for tariffs and compensation, identifying alternatives to traditional utility investments and upgrading the functionality of the electric grid.