It Just Got Easier for States to Launch Solar Battery Distribution Incentives

As more states aim to ramp up their energy storage capabilities, Solar United Neighbors (SUN) has unveiled an initiative that could simplify the expansion of solar battery distribution programs nationwide.

With growing interest in transitioning from pilot projects to large-scale distributed power plant (DPP) programs, SUN’s latest

move offers local governments a tool to kickstart legislative action, aiming to make solar batteries widely accessible through incentives. By drafting model legislation for state governments to use, SUN is transforming the way local governments can pursue energy distribution and grid management.

Giving the Boost Needed to Move Beyond Pilot Programs

Currently, solar battery distribution programs in many states exist in a fragmented, pilot-project phase. Often, these are very

limited in scope and lack the structured frameworks necessary for expansion. Large-scale rollouts of distributed battery

incentives are therefore a big leap. 

SUN aims to address these challenges directly by offering model language and an organized framework that local

governments can adopt and adapt. The non-profit has provided states with a legislative template to help them draft the bills necessary to bring solar battery incentives to a broader range of residents.

Additionally, they’ve drafted a model approach for states to advance distributed power plants (DPPs)—aggregations of behind-the-meter distributed energy resources

(DERs) like solar batteries—into standard, regulated programs that utilities can operate. 

The model policy and approach were made to tear down obstacles that have historically slowed down DPP adoption, such as inconsistent regulatory policies

and the need for standardized operating practices across jurisdictions. These templates provide the necessary blueprint for

utilities to operate DPPs within existing energy systems, enabling DERs to contribute to peak load reduction, grid resiliency,

and other essential services in coordination with local utilities.

As each state will face unique regulatory conditions and energy needs, SUN’s model legislation is designed to be flexible.

Local governments can adjust details to reflect their specific energy goals and policy structures, allowing similar programs to be implemented across diverse regulatory landscapes. States will be able to design DPP programs that integrate smoothly with local energy policies, grid structures, and community energy needs.

Building a Foundation for Widespread Solar Battery Incentives

Traditionally, crafting effective legislation requires extensive research, resources, and regulatory navigation—challenges

that have often left state legislators struggling to put forward comprehensive bills. SUN’s model policy simplifies the task by outlining definitions, program requirements, and eligibility criteria that state officials can use to draft bills with little extra research.

The policy establishes clear parameters around essential components, such as:

• Grid Events and Grid Services: These define when batteries are used to support grid operations, from frequency regulation to peak load shaving, ensuring the DERs provide energy precisely when the grid needs it most.

• Compensation Models: By providing examples of performance payment structures, the model ensures that compensation for battery owners is transparent and consistent, with no hidden disincentives for participation.

• Low-Income Customer Incentives: Acknowledging the need for equitable access, the model includes provisions for higher upfront payments for low- and moderate-income (LMI) customers, as well as those in environmental justice communities.

With these provisions, SUN’s model legislation empowers states to structure solar battery incentive programs around

transparent compensation and performance metrics, making it easier for DERs to participate effectively within the grid. 

Moreover, the framework empowers third-party aggregators to help streamline customer enrollment, enabling a seamless

process for those looking to join. By standardizing the participation process, the model also aims to encourage private investments, reducing utility reliance on fossil fuel-powered peaker plants during high-demand periods and ultimately lowering costs for all ratepayers.

Grid Freedom: Solar Lead Generators Help Contractors

Succeed Despite Policy Barriers

While SUN is working to make pro-solar battery incentives accessible across the country, many states are still a long way from

rolling out supportive policies. For solar installation contractors, this means operating in what is often a challenging environment. 

However, that doesn’t mean contractors are left to fend for themselves. Grid Freedom provides essential support by delivering

high-quality, pre-qualified solar leads, helping contractors grow their businesses and reach interested homeowners,

regardless of current policy limitations.

In a market where many states still lack robust solar programs, connecting with ready-to-buy customers becomes essential.

Grid Freedom pre-screens and delivers exclusive solar company leads, giving contractors an edge by ensuring they’re

engaging with homeowners who are prepared to move forward. 

As more states adopt policies based on SUN’s model legislation, the demand for solar battery installations is bound to grow.

In the meantime, contractors can stay competitive with the steady pipeline of opportunities that Grid Freedom offers.

This partnership will lay the groundwork for a thriving business when more solar-friendly policies arrive.

Start Sourcing from America’s Best Solar Leads Company: GridFreedom.com 

Midwest Flooding Brings Widespread Outages - Solar’s Role in the Era of Extreme Weather

 

Recent bouts of extreme rainfall have unleashed disastrous flooding across the Midwest, extending from Minnesota to

Nebraska and beyond. The severe weather has wrought havoc on communities, resulting in widespread power outages that

left thousands in the dark. 

This season of storms has sparked urgent discussions about the need for stronger power grid infrastructure - and that includes the increasing importance of individual homes having their own source of power behind the meter. Independence from utility companies is becoming a matter of safety, and midwestern contractors are likely to see many new solar leads driven by this motive. 

One Extreme Spring

In June, Minnesota experienced record-breaking flooding. The deluge resulted in the partial failure of the Rapidan Dam,

causing extensive damage to nearby areas and leading to significant power outages. More than 10,000 homes in northern

Minnesota lost electricity. Some residents endured days without power as crews battled against conditions to restore services.

Iowa also faced severe weather, including tornadoes that compounded the damage caused by flooding. The state’s governor, Kim Reynolds, declared a disaster recovery effort, noting the widespread destruction in both urban and rural areas. Thousands of Iowans were left without power, and utility companies were struggling to keep up with the repair demands.

This weather was so widespread it reached all the way down south in Texas, bringing similar chaos. East Texas was particularly hard hit: over 15,000 homes went unplugged in prolonged power outages. Residents faced not only floodwaters but also extreme heat, making many of those in blackout zones doubly exposed to danger. Now, in the wake of Hurricane Beryl, Texas is again suffering an even more severe situation.

Better Power Solutions Are Needed

As power failures caused further hardships in these catastrophe areas, the people of the central U.S. have again voiced the

need for a stronger power grid. Traditional grid infrastructure is often outdated and ill-prepared for the severity of weather

patterns under climate change, making blackouts an increasingly common occurrence. This reality has intensified calls for a

grid that includes more distributed energy resources.

Solar power, particularly residential solar systems, can be a big part of the solution. Homeowners equipped with solar panels and battery storage systems can maintain power during grid outages, mitigating the impact of extreme weather events and ensuring local disaster resources aren’t overly strained. 

These recent storms have driven more residents to consider solar installations. After making it through extended outages, many are recognizing how having an independent power source can keep them safer through threatening conditions. For those who are having to repair or rebuild their homes, solar installations are becoming a must-have upgrade. 

Finding High-Quality Solar Leads Amid the Spike in Interest

As the Midwest grapples with the storm aftermath, solar contractors can expect an influx of residents seeking dependable

energy solutions. However, navigating this surge will require a careful approach. Without a strategy in place, contractors can

easily lose too much time to prospects who aren’t yet ready to commit.

Top solar lead companies like Grid Freedom can step in as crucial partners here, offering a streamlined process to connect with already qualified leads. Our service provides confirmed appointments with homeowners who have undergone a full screening process, ensuring that contractors meet only with those who are informed and prepared for solar adoption. This efficiency is key in the current circumstances, where many homeowners are exploring solar options but aren’t actually in a position to install them. 

Find Exclusive Solar Leads in the Midwest at GridFreedom.com