With a number of states changing solar net energy metering (NEM) programs to compensation methods that incentivize storage, microgrids could benefit.

However, some argue that to really make the most of distributed energy resources (DER) and microgrids, the utility and regulatory models need to undergo sweeping changes and move away from NEM.

For Cameron Brooks, executive director of Think Microgrid an advocacy group and affiliate of Microgrid Knowledge, compensating DERs shouldn’t be about focusing on different technologies such as solar and storage in isolated bubbles.