Empowering Homes and Strengthening the Grid: Analyzing the Benefits of Distributed Solar Plus Storage for North Carolina

Abstract

After three decades of relatively flat electricity demand, the United States is experiencing a significant increase in demand with the construction of data centers, new domestic manufacturing facilities, and the electrification of vehicles and technologies. Demand is expected to increase by up to 15% in some regions of the country by 2030.1 In North Carolina, electricity demand is projected to grow by 4 GW from 2024 to 2030.2 As a result, the state, utilities, and their electricity customers are looking for strategies to meet new demand in as little as six years. One solution is to harness residential solar plus storage systems. Developed on behalf of Solar United Neighbors (SUN), this report seeks to answer the following policy question: What are the benefits of distributed solar paired with battery storage for individuals and the grid in North Carolina, and what policies should Solar United Neighbors advocate for to maximize these benefits? This report estimates the benefits of distributed rooftop solar plus storage systems in North Carolina to inform SUN’s messaging to discuss the benefits of solar plus storage with diverse stakeholders, including homeowners, utilities, and lawmakers. This report also provides recommendations for SUN’s lobbying efforts to encourage broader residential solar adoption and the potential of virtual power plants (VPPs) in the state. Through a mixed-method approach of a national survey, qualitative case studies, and quantitative analysis, this report provides a holistic view of the state of distributed solar adoption in North Carolina and current barriers to higher adoption. It provides policymakers and advocates with a strategy to overcome these barriers.