Duke Energy Expands Energy Management Offerings To C&I Customers With New Partnership To Offer Storage For Commercial Solar Customers

Duke Energy Renewables announced an alliance with Green Charge Networks, a provider of commercial energy storage for retail, industrial and government customers.

Green Charge Networks, based in Santa Clara, Calif., will work closely with solar provider REC Solar to market energy storage systems with REC's solar projects. Initial focus will be on the Southern California and Hawaiian markets.

Duke Energy acquired a majority interest in REC Solar and energy management company Phoenix Energy Technologies earlier this year.

In addition to offering storage to firm solar customers' usage, Duke Energy Renewables said that it will also offer other energy management systems for those customers seeking a complete and integrated energy savings platform.

REC Solar serves customers nationwide in the retail, manufacturing, agriculture, technology, government and nonprofit sectors

With a combination of lithium-ion battery technology and predictive software, Green Charge systems will draw power from the REC Solar system and the grid during off-peak hours, when electricity is inexpensive, and release it during peak hours, when electricity is more expensive.

REC Solar said that it offers tailored financing packages, including leases and power purchase agreements, through, "an efficient and streamlined financing relationship with Duke Energy." Green Charge offers a financing model that allows customers to reduce energy costs with no capital output.