First in the World: Solnet Group Introduces Virtual Power Plant Services for Solar Companies to Improve Grid Operations

Solnet Group, a leading European project planner of commercial & industrial solar installations, is launching virtual power plant services for solar. With Solnet Manager, customers earn additional revenue by participating in maintaining the electricity grid. The platform, developed by Solnet Group, allows commercial and solar utilities to join a collective pool of virtual power plants, enabling them to participate in balancing markets, contribute to greater grid stability, and earn additional revenue. Companies participating in the virtual power plant network receive compensation for being on standby and providing production flexibility. 

The fluctuating production of renewable energy sources and geopolitical uncertainties such as Russia's potential hybrid influence on electricity markets have led to increased volatility in energy prices and instability in electricity markets. Optimal operation of the electricity grid and increasing reserve market capacity are also nationally significant. Solar utilities and energy storage units can play a crucial role in grid balancing services, helping counteract the variability of renewable energy generation and generating extra income for participants. 

Previously, such market opportunities were available only to large-scale energy consumers and producers, but now smaller commercial solar utilities and variable-capacity energy storage can also partake. Solnet Manager is launching first in Finland, with planned subsequent markets including the Netherlands and Germany.

“With the launch of Solnet Manager, we are addressing a crucial gap in virtual power plant participation for small and mid-scale installations. This will bring a new era to solar PV and energy storage markets, as it makes onboarding variable-size utilities for balance market participation easy, cost-effective, and profitable. In doing so, they can become part of the solution for overcoming the volatile nature of renewable energy production and grid congestion issues, earning additional revenue while ensuring the optimal functioning of energy grids. Everyone wins,” says Arttur Kulvik, SVP and co-founder of Solnet Group, who has been responsible for the development of Solnet Manager. 

There is great potential for this new solution. The provisions for solar power in the European Performance of Buildings Directive confirmed by the EU in March 2024 will further increase the number of industrial and commercial onsite solar installations. The directive requires the installation of onsite solar power systems across Europe on all new commercial and public buildings by 2026, on all commercial and public buildings undergoing major renovations by 2027, on all new residential buildings by 2029, and on all existing public buildings by 2030. 

Solnet Manager effectively controls a diverse pool of solar utilities and energy storage units as a virtual power plant, optimizing the flexible renewable capacity to provide auxiliary services. The platform handles all necessary services, including participation, reporting, aggregation of combined virtual power plant capacity, and targeting of balancing markets to maximize profitability. Under a service model, Solnet Group takes care of the logistics, from device integration and onboarding to management and report generation. Business Finland has provided funding for the project in its research phase. 

Solnet Manager - Virtual Powerplant Services for Solar will be available in 2024 starting in Finland.

Solnet Group | www.solnet.group