Solar + Storage Microgrids: From Backup Power to a More Resilient Grid

As extreme weather, grid constraints, and rising power demand reshape the energy landscape, solar and storage microgrids are emerging as a powerful solution for resilience, reliability, and local energy control. This fireside chat will explore how distributed solar plus storage systems are being deployed across commercial, industrial, institutional, and community settings to reduce costs, strengthen energy security, and provide a more flexible path to decarbonization. Speakers will discuss the evolving role of microgrids in supporting both customer needs and broader grid stability, while addressing the market, policy, and project delivery challenges that must be solved to accelerate deployment across the Midwest.