Is offsite solar better than onsite solar?

Regardless of the exact method, participating in offsite solar can have upsides similar to onsite. While both offsite and onsite options offer project structuring with no upfront installation costs and provide renewable energy at a fixed cost, the two system types ultimately can offer their own distinct benefits.

When is a solar system considered an onsite system?

When a solar system is installed directly on the purchaser’s property, and the renewable energy that it produces is consumed there, it’s considered an onsite system.

How can on-site solar PV & energy storage improve sustainability?

To achieve sustainability goals while meeting the increasing electricity demands of electrification, organizations are pairing on-site solar PV generation with on-site energy storage. These systems, which are considered as “behind-the-meter” (BTM) systems, allow facilities to maximize the benefits of on-site renewable generation.

What is an offsite Solar System?

An offsite solar system is not located on the purchaser’s property but still allows the purchaser to benefit from the renewable energy it produces in the form of credits that are used to offset their facility’s energy costs.

What are the benefits of an on-site solar PV system?

For the scenario represented in the graph, an on-site solar PV system allows the facility to reduce the amount of electricity drawn from the grid during the middle of the day. Increasing the amount of solar PV production on-site can provide additional cost and emission reductions and resiliency benefits for facilities.

Can on-site storage be used alongside solar PV?

If a utility restricts the exports from a facility to the grid, the use of on-site storage alongside solar PV can provide a solution to avoid costly infrastructure upgrades, thus increasing the feasibility of larger on-site PV installations.