Solar Microgrid Methodology (SMM)

This user manual supports the Solar Microgrid Methodology (SMM), which provides users with the skills and knowledge needed to develop a Solar Microgrid Feasibility Study. This user manual covers key tasks such as analyzing electrical meter data, modeling solar systems, sizing Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to maximize economic and resilience benefits, conducting economic analyses, and presenting findings in a clear, professional format. By the end of the course, users will have a strong understanding of the SMM and be ready to apply their knowledge to real-world projects.

At the Clean Coalition, we’ve developed a standardized VOR metric to unleash this key market. Our VOR123 methodology makes it simple to quantify VOR by standardizing VOR for three tiers of loads — critical, priority, and discretionary loads — across all facility types:

• Tier 1: Mission-critical, life-sustaining loads that warrant 100% resilience — usually about 10% of a facility’s total load. (100%)
• Tier 2: Priority loads that should be maintained as long as doing so does not threaten the ability to maintain Tier 1 loads — usually about 15% of the total load.
• Tier 3: Discretionary loads that should be maintained only when doing so does not threaten Tier 1 and Tier 2 resilience — usually about 75% of the total load.

This manual follows a structured, step-by-step approach based on the Clean Coalition’s SMM. It is designed to be adaptable for a variety of educational settings. Instructors may integrate individual modules into existing courses or deliver the material as a focused, standalone training.

Educators and training providers have flexibility in how they implement assessments, supplemental materials, and hands-on activities. The methodology supports both theoretical instruction and applied learning, allowing instructors to customize the depth and delivery to match student needs, course objectives, or institutional requirements.

Recommended Tools

1. 1. UtilityAPI: A secure platform that automates the collection, standardization, and sharing of utility customer data, including electric and gas usage, billing information, and interval data. 
   2. Clean Coalition’s Solar Microgrid Analysis Processor (SMAP): A specialized tool used to clean and analyze electrical meter data, size the BESS, and evaluate resilience outcomes and their associated value.
   3. HelioScope: A web-based solar design and sales platform developed by Aurora Solar. HelioScope streamlines the process of designing photovoltaic (PV) systems by integrating site layout and energy yield simulations, enabling rapid creation of accurate solar array designs. 
   4. Energy Toolbase (ETB) Developer: A comprehensive software platform designed for the financial analysis and modeling of solar and energy storage projects. The platform calculates the economic impacts of various system configurations, providing precise assessments of utility costs, energy savings, and overall project economics.