Why Solar and Battery Storage Is Now More Valuable Than Solar Alone

Clean Power Hour

Most solar installers miss the biggest opportunity in clean energy today.

Jay Marhoefer started Intelligent Generation in 2009, six years before the market was ready. Today, his company delivers 3-6x higher ROI for commercial solar projects by stacking revenue streams from batteries. This episode reveals how the "Earn, Save, Protect" model works in PJM markets, where capacity charges alone can cost customers $100,000 per megawatt annually.

Key Discussion Points:

• The value stack explained: earning from grid services (like frequency regulation), saving on capacity charges (up to 50% of C&I bills), and protecting operations with backup power
• 5CP strategy: how predicting five coincident peaks saves industrial customers hundreds of thousands per year
• Battery economics shifting: 4-hour systems now at $200/kWh, 8-hour systems approaching $100/kWh (the natural gas replacement threshold)
• Data centers driving massive grid growth: 26 gigawatts requested in ComEd territory versus 20 gigawatt peak load
• AI optimization: using machine learning to extract maximum value from distributed battery fleets
• Technology comparison: lithium iron phosphate dominates today, but flow batteries and sodium offer specialized advantages for grid applications
• Geographic expansion: Intelligent Generation moving from Illinois throughout 13-state PJM territory

Jay shares lessons from 15 years building the company, including early pilot projects, frequency regulation markets, and partnerships with Continental Energy Solutions and G&W Electric. Learn why batteries paired with solar create compelling economics even without incentives.

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The Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: [email protected]

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The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com