New report reveals effective solution to avoiding blackouts during 100+ degree days: ‘Something … replicable by other utilities in the country’

As summer temperatures force residents in New England to crank up their air conditioners, the use of solar energy appears to have helped take the heat off regional power grids.

During the dog days of summer, millions of people usually attempt to find relief from the scorching heat in any way that they can. That usually means turning to air conditioning, which can often lead to a surge of electricity usage, sometimes resulting in the occasional regional blackout.

In a recent report from the Acadia Center, the use of behind-the-meter solar likely helped prevent a potential loss of power June 24, when much of the region saw temperatures soar above 100 degrees.

“Five-plus gigawatts of BTM solar helped the region’s power grid ride through one of the hottest days of the year, which tested the grid’s reliability with the highest peak demand in several years,” the report read.

To read the full article from the Cool Down, click here.