Connecticut doubles upfront incentive to install home energy storage

The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) recently announced updates to the Energy Storage Solutions program to increase accessibility and adoption by residential customers in Connecticut. Residential customers can now receive up to $16,000 in upfront incentives, an increase from the previous maximum incentive of $7,500.

For customers that qualify as low-income, the upfront incentive increased to $600 from $400 per kWh. For customers that reside in an underserved community, the upfront incentive increased to $300 from $450 per kWh.

All Energy Storage Solutions program changes were made as part of the Year Three Decision in Docket No. 23-08-05. Other approved changes to the Energy Storage Solutions program include but are not limited to:

• Expansion of opportunity for multifamily property participation. Per the decision, multifamily affordable housing properties now qualify for the low-income incentive rate, making it easier for property owners to access resilient battery backup for their tenants.

• Commercial sector incentive review. For the commercial sector, which has experienced strong demand since the start of the program in 2022, project approvals will be paused on June 15, 2024, or earlier if the 100 MW of available capacity in Tranche 2 become fully subscribed, and until a ruling is made in Year Four Decision in Docket 24-08-05. Currently, approximately 70 MW of capacity remains in Tranche 2.

• Recycling working group. PURA requested that the Green Bank convene and lead a working group of relevant stakeholders, including the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to proactively investigate the potential issue of solar panel and battery waste. Per the decision, “while solar and battery waste is not yet a prevalent issue in Connecticut, the Authority determined that the development of a solution is needed sooner rather than later, to ensure state preparedness.”

The Energy Storage Solutions program is paid for by electric ratepayers, overseen by PURA, and administered by the Connecticut Green Bank, Eversource, and UI.