![]() ![]() SolarCity will attempt to squeeze into a market segment with a product better than home tinkerers can build and less expensive than larger rivals. “Ultimately, it seems like this solution could be used to electrify rural areas in the developing world or to provide better reliability in places where the grid goes down a lot,” the analyst explained. These types of systems have the potential to make a big difference in the developing world, Kann said. While Bass said the bulk of its microgrid business will focus on the United States and North America, he noted that it will be the first international work for SolarCity aside from its charitable work to provide lights at schools in the developing world. This will also be the first major effort overseas for SolarCity, as the company shops its microgrids to island nations with poor power grids. “Traditionally, microgrids have been used in campuses, medical facilities and military bases, and we will pursue some of those opportunities if they become available,” said Daidipya Patwa, who is leading SolarCity’s microgrid efforts, “but our primary target is municipalities, communities and areas with a weak grid or no grid at all.” The company is targeting cities that are in the line of fire for such catastrophic events for the new service. “There has been a dramatic increase in severe weather events the last few years - climate-related, almost certainly - and its led to more grid outages,” SolarCity spokesman Jonathan Bass noted, pointing to the storm known as Sandy that hit the Northeast as a prominent recent example. While the owner can tap the solar power for daily use, the main purpose is to maintain electricity in the event of a natural disaster such as an earthquake or hurricane. The systems, which add generators and software to manage the power to standard solar panels, will include Tesla Motors batteries to store the energy generated. A small step to break themselves away from the cycle of poverty.SAN MATEO - SolarCity, well-known for rooftop solar systems, is expanding to so-called microgrids, larger power systems that can be tapped by communities when the power grid goes down. Now, those chairs may appear as, you know, a luxury or something to sit on because it is furniture, but the impact of having a chair far spans beyond what we see with our naked eye, because schools and children are able to gather at one place sitting on something that is a lot more comfortable and not under trees to learn. For example, there is a local carpenter who is able to make chairs and tables through renewable green electricity to provide and sell them. “Now, four years down the line, we were taken aback by the changes. ![]() A lot of the trade was actually barter,” says Tshibvumo Sikhwivhilu, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lamo Solar. When we came here for the first time, there was very little economic activity in this little community. ![]() ![]() “It was amazing to see the economic activities that were triggered by the provision of electricity alone. Technologies such as microgrids not only enhance the sustainability of smaller and often remote communities, but they also give a much-needed boost to the economy, enhancing residents’ quality of life. ![]()
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