A recent study by the University of Texas at Austin, led by Nick Laws, demonstrates that promoting customer-owned solar and battery energy storage can lead to significant reductions in grid maintenance costs, potentially saving up to 40% annually. The research indicates that with proper incentives, investments in these systems could result in savings of approximately $3 million per year, ultimately benefiting consumers through lower utility bills.
A study from the University of Texas at Austin reveals that increasing customer-owned solar and battery energy storage could reduce grid maintenance costs by about 40%. The research, led by Nick Laws, simulates a neighborhood’s electricity demand over 20 years to assess potential savings. Without customer-owned resources, grid costs would be $7.2 million annually. With optimal incentives encouraging investment in solar and battery systems, costs could drop to $4.2 million per year, saving approximately $3 million, or 40%. These savings would be reflected in lower utility bills for consumers.
