1. Solnet Group launches virtual power plant (VPP) services for commercial and industrial solar companies in balancing markets.
2. Solnet Manager platform allows solar utilities and energy storage units to join a collective pool of VPPs, earn additional revenue, and contribute to grid stability.
3. The platform controls a pool of solar utilities and energy storage units as a VPP, optimizing their capacity for grid balancing and profitability, with plans to expand to other European markets.
Solnet Group, a European project planner specializing in commercial and industrial solar installations, is introducing virtual power plant (VPP) services for solar companies looking to participate in balancing markets. Their Solnet Manager platform will allow solar utilities and energy storages to join a collective pool of VPPs, contributing to grid stability and earning additional revenue. Participating companies will be compensated for standby and production flexibility, making the platform the first of its kind globally.
The platform will control a diverse pool of solar utilities and energy storage units, optimizing their flexible renewable capacity to provide auxiliary services in balancing markets for profitability. Solnet Group will handle all necessary services, from participation to reporting, aggregation, and targeting of balancing markets. The Finnish company has received funding from Business Finland for the project’s research phase, with plans to launch Solnet Manager – Virtual Powerplant Services for Solar in 2024.
Arttur Kulvik, SVP and co-founder of Solnet Group, emphasizes the importance of the platform in enabling small and mid-scale installations to participate in virtual power plants and contribute to grid stability while earning additional revenue. The platform’s launch aligns with European directives requiring the installation of onsite solar power systems in new and existing buildings, providing more opportunities for solar utilities and energy storage units to play a crucial role in grid balancing services. Solnet Manager will first launch in Finland, with plans to expand to other markets in the future.