As New England bakes during the first heat wave of the summer, electricity use is surging. The power grid has so far been able to meet the demand, thanks in part to an assist from the sun.

Around the region, thousands of solar panels on rooftops, over parking lots and along the sides of roads are converting sunlight into electricity and helping relieve stress on the grid.

This small but mighty source of power isn’t controlled by the organization that operates the power grid, earning it the name «behind-the-meter» solar. The electricity it generates is typically used in the homes and businesses where the panels are located.

Historically, behind-the-meter solar has contributed limited amounts of electricity in New England. But over the last 15 years, it’s taken off. These small solar arrays now have the ability to generate about 5,000 megawatts of power for the region — more than all of New England’s nuclear power plants combined. By 2045, ISO New England, the regional grid operator, expects that capacity to more than double.

Behind-the-meter solar can produce a meaningful amount of electricity whenever the sun is shining, but it’s particularly helpful at times of high energy demand, like afternoons during a heat wave.

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