Will Wind Compete with Solar+Storage?

Recorded On: 05/12/2020

The rapidly declining cost of solar+storage systems are changing the nature of the products that the renewable energy industry is able to deliver. Solar-plus-storage projects are more prevalent in the U.S. than wind-plus-storage as a consequence of tax equity structuring constraints. The solar industry has quickly adopted storage as a complement and has learnt to optimize the design, contract arrangements and use cases. On the other hand, the wind industry is lagging behind. Understanding how to compete with solar+storage is increasing important for wind projects.

The successful track record of solar-plus-storage facilities in jurisdictions like Hawaii and California has demonstrated the ability to effectively load-shift, and has set the solar industry up for large projects in Nevada, and additional programs such as those in Massachusetts and Virginia. For wind to compete with solar+storage, wind projects must be cost competitive with solar and offer firmer energy and a broader set of ancillary services and grid support functions, to utilities and grid operators.

From experience having designed or financed more than 100 solar + storage plants, DNV GL will identify the top 3 priorities for wind to be competitive over the coming years.

Marion HIll

Senior Vice President, Renewables Advisory, DNV GL

Marion Hill is dedicated to a carbon neutral economy and increase the percentage of renewable power on the grid. She leads DNV GL's renewable business across North America. With 16 years of experience in the renewable power industry, she has developed and grown profitable new competence centers and business units. Her technical expertise lies in the fields of technical due diligence, project management, project financing, project development, engineering, wind resource assessment, energy yield assessment, and contract negotiations for wind, solar and storage projects. She has presented more than 20 times at AWEA, CanWEA and other renewable power conferences.

Kristine Sinclaire (Moderator)

Senior Project Manager, DNV GL

As a Senior Project Manager, Kristine leverages technical insights to guide the solar industry towards maximizing clean energy production and profitability. With a background in physics, Kristine has over 10 years of experience in the energy sector from the nano to the GW scale. Kristine has focused on the manufacturing, characterization, and reliability of solar energy in 6 countries and in 3 different languages. As Business Development Manager at Heliolytics, Kristine was responsible for over 100 active accounts, contributing to over 35 GW of aerial Infrared inspections of PV plants. While volunteering in Malawi she wrote a successful 1.8M Euro grant application to build the capacity of local solar technicians. Kristine’s genuine curiosity drives her work and pushes the productivity of her team.