Will
@willparker.bsky.social
Artist, dog lover, and avid reader.
A timely article on the subject...
Seems like Colorado legislators can take a lot of credit for meter collar uptake in the US
Seems like Colorado legislators can take a lot of credit for meter collar uptake in the US
A path to fast, cheap home solar and batteries: Go through the meter
New digital meter socket adapters from Tesla and others make home solar, battery, and EV charging installs a snap. But only if utilities let homes use…
www.canarymedia.com
December 23, 2025 at 2:43 AM
A timely article on the subject...
Seems like Colorado legislators can take a lot of credit for meter collar uptake in the US
Seems like Colorado legislators can take a lot of credit for meter collar uptake in the US
Yeah, those types of things are good for adding a transfer switch for generator or V2L whole home backup or when you don't have enough space in the old panel tub for all the circuits you need.
In terms of lowering costs in general, the meter collars are much cheaper where they're allowed.
In terms of lowering costs in general, the meter collars are much cheaper where they're allowed.
December 23, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Yeah, those types of things are good for adding a transfer switch for generator or V2L whole home backup or when you don't have enough space in the old panel tub for all the circuits you need.
In terms of lowering costs in general, the meter collars are much cheaper where they're allowed.
In terms of lowering costs in general, the meter collars are much cheaper where they're allowed.
Demand is low overnight in Ontario, too. That's why they offer ultra low overnight rates.
That will change with enough solar & electrification, but with only 2.5GW of solar in ON, it doesn't change the load curve much.
That will change with enough solar & electrification, but with only 2.5GW of solar in ON, it doesn't change the load curve much.
December 22, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Demand is low overnight in Ontario, too. That's why they offer ultra low overnight rates.
That will change with enough solar & electrification, but with only 2.5GW of solar in ON, it doesn't change the load curve much.
That will change with enough solar & electrification, but with only 2.5GW of solar in ON, it doesn't change the load curve much.
It's hard to see how theft is going to be any easier with a sealed, approved collar type than a sealed meter.
Almost everyone in BC has smart meters, making theft simpler to detect these days.
Seems like a weak excuse that hinders solar development. Cheaper solar means lower bills!
Almost everyone in BC has smart meters, making theft simpler to detect these days.
Seems like a weak excuse that hinders solar development. Cheaper solar means lower bills!
December 22, 2025 at 4:17 PM
It's hard to see how theft is going to be any easier with a sealed, approved collar type than a sealed meter.
Almost everyone in BC has smart meters, making theft simpler to detect these days.
Seems like a weak excuse that hinders solar development. Cheaper solar means lower bills!
Almost everyone in BC has smart meters, making theft simpler to detect these days.
Seems like a weak excuse that hinders solar development. Cheaper solar means lower bills!
Definitely a key factor - part of why it's problematic for Hydro to make this change so early, when rates are starting to ramp up (close to 4% increases this year and next).
December 22, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Definitely a key factor - part of why it's problematic for Hydro to make this change so early, when rates are starting to ramp up (close to 4% increases this year and next).
The main barrier in BC until now has been low retail prices, and the net billing change will worsen the situation.
But policy can help that. For example, legislation/code changes requiring utilities to accept meter collar connections can allow larger installs and reduce main panel upgrade costs.
But policy can help that. For example, legislation/code changes requiring utilities to accept meter collar connections can allow larger installs and reduce main panel upgrade costs.
December 22, 2025 at 4:05 AM
The main barrier in BC until now has been low retail prices, and the net billing change will worsen the situation.
But policy can help that. For example, legislation/code changes requiring utilities to accept meter collar connections can allow larger installs and reduce main panel upgrade costs.
But policy can help that. For example, legislation/code changes requiring utilities to accept meter collar connections can allow larger installs and reduce main panel upgrade costs.
BC has 15,000 residential solar installs, out of roughly 2 million homes. 0.75% of homes.
The Netherlands is at roughly 40% of homes.
The Netherlands is at roughly 40% of homes.
December 22, 2025 at 3:59 AM
BC has 15,000 residential solar installs, out of roughly 2 million homes. 0.75% of homes.
The Netherlands is at roughly 40% of homes.
The Netherlands is at roughly 40% of homes.
Net billing doesn't take effect in BC until April 1, 2026 (assuming the utilities commission approves it)
At that point, credits for about 2/3 of solar production will be cut to 10 cents, without an inflation escalator. It's going to put a damper on residential solar.
At that point, credits for about 2/3 of solar production will be cut to 10 cents, without an inflation escalator. It's going to put a damper on residential solar.
December 22, 2025 at 3:48 AM
Net billing doesn't take effect in BC until April 1, 2026 (assuming the utilities commission approves it)
At that point, credits for about 2/3 of solar production will be cut to 10 cents, without an inflation escalator. It's going to put a damper on residential solar.
At that point, credits for about 2/3 of solar production will be cut to 10 cents, without an inflation escalator. It's going to put a damper on residential solar.
It's just delusional to focus on SMRs and carbon capture in hopes of capturing clean energy investment when global solar and wind investment are already orders of magnitude higher.
That MOU should have had clean electricity as table stakes, not a bargaining chip.
That MOU should have had clean electricity as table stakes, not a bargaining chip.
December 22, 2025 at 2:37 AM
It's just delusional to focus on SMRs and carbon capture in hopes of capturing clean energy investment when global solar and wind investment are already orders of magnitude higher.
That MOU should have had clean electricity as table stakes, not a bargaining chip.
That MOU should have had clean electricity as table stakes, not a bargaining chip.
Investment follows regulation...if the crown utilities have a requirement to procure low-emissions power, that's exactly what they will do.
December 22, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Investment follows regulation...if the crown utilities have a requirement to procure low-emissions power, that's exactly what they will do.
Regulation is the main lever the feds have!
Want clean electricity? Set national standards for the provincial crown corps to follow.
Want to decarbonize the building stock? Update the national building code and incentivize the provinces to follow.
The regulations ARE deals, already negotiated.
Want clean electricity? Set national standards for the provincial crown corps to follow.
Want to decarbonize the building stock? Update the national building code and incentivize the provinces to follow.
The regulations ARE deals, already negotiated.
December 22, 2025 at 2:29 AM
Regulation is the main lever the feds have!
Want clean electricity? Set national standards for the provincial crown corps to follow.
Want to decarbonize the building stock? Update the national building code and incentivize the provinces to follow.
The regulations ARE deals, already negotiated.
Want clean electricity? Set national standards for the provincial crown corps to follow.
Want to decarbonize the building stock? Update the national building code and incentivize the provinces to follow.
The regulations ARE deals, already negotiated.
Saskatchewanians should be particularly mad about this.
They have great solar and wind potential but near the highest electricity costs and coal use in the country.
If their government would just get out of the way of renewables, their bills could be a lot lower.
They have great solar and wind potential but near the highest electricity costs and coal use in the country.
If their government would just get out of the way of renewables, their bills could be a lot lower.
December 22, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Saskatchewanians should be particularly mad about this.
They have great solar and wind potential but near the highest electricity costs and coal use in the country.
If their government would just get out of the way of renewables, their bills could be a lot lower.
They have great solar and wind potential but near the highest electricity costs and coal use in the country.
If their government would just get out of the way of renewables, their bills could be a lot lower.
It just boggles my mind that Canada only has 7GW of solar while the Netherlands has 33GW.
Most of our population is further south than them and would get 25-50% more energy output from the same panels!
Most of our population is further south than them and would get 25-50% more energy output from the same panels!
December 22, 2025 at 2:12 AM
It just boggles my mind that Canada only has 7GW of solar while the Netherlands has 33GW.
Most of our population is further south than them and would get 25-50% more energy output from the same panels!
Most of our population is further south than them and would get 25-50% more energy output from the same panels!
Canada (1.5% solar) is way behind the rest of the world (8% solar), and not because we are northern and seasonal.
The Netherlands has way less available land area and similar sunlight. And they are already at 20% solar.
Policy support makes all the difference.
The Netherlands has way less available land area and similar sunlight. And they are already at 20% solar.
Policy support makes all the difference.
December 22, 2025 at 1:58 AM
Canada (1.5% solar) is way behind the rest of the world (8% solar), and not because we are northern and seasonal.
The Netherlands has way less available land area and similar sunlight. And they are already at 20% solar.
Policy support makes all the difference.
The Netherlands has way less available land area and similar sunlight. And they are already at 20% solar.
Policy support makes all the difference.
Reducing tariffs would be nice, but the institutional barriers are the bigger issue. Our resi costs are more than $1/watt above Australia's, largely due to permitting costs, and govts/utilities are actively blocking solar growth (ie: Alberta moratorium, net billing from BC Hydro & SaskPower).
December 22, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Reducing tariffs would be nice, but the institutional barriers are the bigger issue. Our resi costs are more than $1/watt above Australia's, largely due to permitting costs, and govts/utilities are actively blocking solar growth (ie: Alberta moratorium, net billing from BC Hydro & SaskPower).
That DR reliability is 🔥🔥🔥
DR + storage + renewables can get you most of the way to a low carbon grid. Especially in a world with lots of flexible EV charging and tariffs/DR programs that incentivize thermal storage for electrified HVAC.
DR + storage + renewables can get you most of the way to a low carbon grid. Especially in a world with lots of flexible EV charging and tariffs/DR programs that incentivize thermal storage for electrified HVAC.
December 21, 2025 at 3:40 AM
That DR reliability is 🔥🔥🔥
DR + storage + renewables can get you most of the way to a low carbon grid. Especially in a world with lots of flexible EV charging and tariffs/DR programs that incentivize thermal storage for electrified HVAC.
DR + storage + renewables can get you most of the way to a low carbon grid. Especially in a world with lots of flexible EV charging and tariffs/DR programs that incentivize thermal storage for electrified HVAC.
Looking forward to 2027, when smashing pumpkins nostalgia song 1979, set 16 years before its release, will be 32 years old.
If the song was written today, it would be 'shake down 2009', set in a year that Lady Gaga and Katy Perry topped the charts.
If the song was written today, it would be 'shake down 2009', set in a year that Lady Gaga and Katy Perry topped the charts.
December 21, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Looking forward to 2027, when smashing pumpkins nostalgia song 1979, set 16 years before its release, will be 32 years old.
If the song was written today, it would be 'shake down 2009', set in a year that Lady Gaga and Katy Perry topped the charts.
If the song was written today, it would be 'shake down 2009', set in a year that Lady Gaga and Katy Perry topped the charts.
I wonder if a bidirectional version of this might work as a way to store excess solar?
eg you feed heat into the loop with a heat pump during midday peaks, using indoor air if you need space cooling or outdoor air if not. Would low temp hot water loops get a high enough COP for it to pencil out?
eg you feed heat into the loop with a heat pump during midday peaks, using indoor air if you need space cooling or outdoor air if not. Would low temp hot water loops get a high enough COP for it to pencil out?
December 17, 2025 at 3:58 AM
I wonder if a bidirectional version of this might work as a way to store excess solar?
eg you feed heat into the loop with a heat pump during midday peaks, using indoor air if you need space cooling or outdoor air if not. Would low temp hot water loops get a high enough COP for it to pencil out?
eg you feed heat into the loop with a heat pump during midday peaks, using indoor air if you need space cooling or outdoor air if not. Would low temp hot water loops get a high enough COP for it to pencil out?
What's the peak draw?
Our olde style dryer uses about 3-4kWh per load and 5kW peak.
Washer is pretty negligible, maybe 0.1kWh per load plus hot water.
Our olde style dryer uses about 3-4kWh per load and 5kW peak.
Washer is pretty negligible, maybe 0.1kWh per load plus hot water.
December 17, 2025 at 1:59 AM
What's the peak draw?
Our olde style dryer uses about 3-4kWh per load and 5kW peak.
Washer is pretty negligible, maybe 0.1kWh per load plus hot water.
Our olde style dryer uses about 3-4kWh per load and 5kW peak.
Washer is pretty negligible, maybe 0.1kWh per load plus hot water.
Yes, but the OP question was about distributed storage in general. Which means all building types
There are plenty of off-grid residences that rely on fossil gen for winter power, many near me use propane that has to be delivered by private boats, but have ample space for solar + seasonal storage
There are plenty of off-grid residences that rely on fossil gen for winter power, many near me use propane that has to be delivered by private boats, but have ample space for solar + seasonal storage
December 16, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Yes, but the OP question was about distributed storage in general. Which means all building types
There are plenty of off-grid residences that rely on fossil gen for winter power, many near me use propane that has to be delivered by private boats, but have ample space for solar + seasonal storage
There are plenty of off-grid residences that rely on fossil gen for winter power, many near me use propane that has to be delivered by private boats, but have ample space for solar + seasonal storage
"Hey, Pandora, i'm feeling a bit uncomfortable from the warmth in here, can you open the overton window a smidge to let some racism in?"
December 16, 2025 at 6:37 AM
"Hey, Pandora, i'm feeling a bit uncomfortable from the warmth in here, can you open the overton window a smidge to let some racism in?"
For now...I'm just speculating/prognosticating here.
Nickel-hydrogen batteries are still batteries, they're in the early commercialization stage but have a long history in space. They are starting to be used for grid ESS and perhaps they could make a flow battery version for seasonal storage.
Nickel-hydrogen batteries are still batteries, they're in the early commercialization stage but have a long history in space. They are starting to be used for grid ESS and perhaps they could make a flow battery version for seasonal storage.
December 15, 2025 at 3:49 PM
For now...I'm just speculating/prognosticating here.
Nickel-hydrogen batteries are still batteries, they're in the early commercialization stage but have a long history in space. They are starting to be used for grid ESS and perhaps they could make a flow battery version for seasonal storage.
Nickel-hydrogen batteries are still batteries, they're in the early commercialization stage but have a long history in space. They are starting to be used for grid ESS and perhaps they could make a flow battery version for seasonal storage.
I'm not aware of any with electrolyzers built in. There are some CHP options available in Europe & Japan but those seem to be grid-tied and use natural gas feedstock, eg: viessmann-co-uk.infopark.io/products/com...
Micro CHP Fuel Cell Boilers & Heating Systems
Viessmann's innovative micro CHP fuel cell boilers use advanced technology in order to provide simultaneous heat & hot water. Contact us for full details & quotes.
viessmann-co-uk.infopark.io
December 15, 2025 at 3:34 PM
I'm not aware of any with electrolyzers built in. There are some CHP options available in Europe & Japan but those seem to be grid-tied and use natural gas feedstock, eg: viessmann-co-uk.infopark.io/products/com...