Sunnova Awarded Microgrid Project to Bolster Grid Resiliency for Penobscot Nation in Maine

Rhea-AI Summary

Sunnova Energy International (NYSE: NOVA) has been selected to deploy a half megawatt battery energy storage system (BESS) for the Penobscot Nation in Maine. The microgrid project will capture an estimated 549,678 kWh of excess PV production annually and provide resilient power during grid outages. The system will primarily serve the Penobscot Community and Commercial Centers, helping maintain essential health and administrative services. The project is supported by the Maine Grid Resilience Program and comes with Sunnova's 25-year Protect® service plan, which includes system maintenance and equipment coverage.

Positive

• Secured new microgrid project contract with Penobscot Nation
• Project supported by Maine Grid Resilience Program
• System expected to generate 549,678 kWh annually
• 25-year service agreement securing long-term revenue stream

Negative

• None.

Insights

Energy Infrastructure Expert

This microgrid project represents a significant development for Sunnova, marking their expansion into larger-scale community infrastructure projects. The 500kW battery system with 549,678 kWh annual PV production capacity demonstrates a meaningful revenue opportunity in the growing tribal and community microgrid sector.

The Maine Grid Resilience Program backing adds credibility and suggests potential for similar projects in other vulnerable regions. The 25-year Sunnova Protect® service agreement provides predictable long-term revenue streams. This project establishes Sunnova as a serious player in utility-scale microgrids, beyond their traditional residential focus.

The strategic value extends beyond immediate project revenues - it positions Sunnova for future government-backed infrastructure initiatives and demonstrates their technical capabilities in complex microgrid deployments.

Market Research Analyst

This contract marks Sunnova's strategic entry into the rapidly growing community microgrid market, estimated to reach $19.9 billion by 2030. Maine's position as the state with the highest power interruptions creates a compelling use case and market opportunity. The project's structure - combining immediate infrastructure benefits with long-term service contracts - provides an attractive business model that could be replicated across other vulnerable communities.

The timing aligns with increased federal funding for grid resilience and tribal energy projects, suggesting potential pipeline expansion. This reference project could accelerate Sunnova's penetration into the utility and community-scale market segment, diversifying revenue streams beyond residential installations.

Sunnova is working with the Penobscot Nation to deploy an innovative microgrid system to establish dependable power for the isolated Tribal Nation during electrical grid interruptions

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sunnova Energy International, Inc. ("Sunnova") (NYSE: NOVA), an industry-leading adaptive energy services company, announced it was selected by the Penobscot Nation to deploy a half megawatt battery energy storage system (BESS) for the tribe’s community and commerce facilities. This BESS will improve the resilience of Maine’s electrical grid to better withstand extreme storms while enhancing clean energy deployment and job opportunities.

The system will capture excess PV production estimated at 549,678 kWh per year and, through the microgrid, provide resiliency enabled by load management. The microgrid can supplement on site generation and continue to restore the BESS without grid support, providing an ongoing source of sustainable power during grid outages.

“The Penobscot Nation is particularly vulnerable to multi-day outages when severe weather strikes due to our location on Indian Island in Maine,” said Kirk E. Francis Sr., Chief of the Penobscot Nation. “Sunnova’s microgrid will provide a critical source of dependable power when the grid goes down, particularly for our Penobscot Community and Commercial Centers, helping us maintain essential health and administrative services. Our community stands to benefit greatly from the sustainable electricity generated by the sun – and we will enjoy more peace of mind in the face of future grid outages.”

“The advanced solar microgrid for the Penobscot Nation will be a source of clean, reliable power to protect and strengthen the community for years to come,” said Michael Grasso, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer at Sunnova. “Community microgrids have proven to be highly effective in combating power outages, which are becoming more frequent across the country. Recent destructive hurricanes in addition to more regular heat waves and severe winter weather all continue to expose the vulnerability of the electrical grid. Sunnova’s solar and battery storage systems offer a life-changing source of power for homeowners, businesses and communities.”

The award for Sunnova’s microgrid project comes on the heels of several extreme storms in Maine last winter and spring, causing widespread power outages and tremendous infrastructural damage. With the highest number of power interruptions in the nation in 2020, Maine is particularly vulnerable to extreme weather. The project is supported by the Maine Grid Resilience Program which selected Sunnova along with six Maine utilities to deploy electric grid resilience projects in communities throughout the state.

When there is a power outage or interruption with the electric grid, Sunnova’s solar + storage microgrid system is designed to provide stored power from its central battery array – which is interconnected to the panel of multiple facilities in the community, and able to distribute that power as needed with a microgrid controller and the battery energy management system.

“By combining clean energy with smart technology, entire communities can generate and store on-site solar energy, creating cleaner air and less grid congestion for everyone,” said Adam Miller, VP of Microgrids at Sunnova. “While state-of-the-art, our microgrid technology is simple: Sunnova’s solar system generates the power while the battery storage component stores it, and then that clean power can be accessed when and where needed, even when the grid goes down.”

Sunnova’s solar and storage microgrid system for the Penobscot Nation will be backed by its standard 25-year service plan, Sunnova Protect^®. Sunnova’s service commitment includes managing and maintaining production for all of its systems for 25 years after installation, reducing or eliminating out-of-pocket expenses for system maintenance or equipment repairs or replacements, including labor.

About Sunnova
Sunnova Energy International Inc. (NYSE: NOVA) is an industry-leading adaptive energy services company focused on making clean energy more accessible, reliable, and affordable for homeowners and businesses. Through its adaptive energy platform, Sunnova provides a better energy service at a better price to deliver its mission of powering energy independence^TM. For more information, visit http://www.sunnova.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or Sunnova’s future financial or operating performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "going to," "could," "intends," "target," "projects," "contemplates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential" or "continue" or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions that concern Sunnova’s expectations, strategy, priorities, plans or intentions. Forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the development, performance, and impact of Sunnova’s products and technology. Sunnova’s expectations and beliefs regarding these matters may not materialize, and actual results in future periods are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including risks regarding our ability to forecast our business due to fluctuations in the solar and home-building markets, availability of capital, supply chain uncertainties, results of operations and financial position, our competition, changes in regulations applicable to our business, and our ability to attract and retain dealers and customers and manage our dealer and strategic partner relationships. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are also subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those more fully described in Sunnova’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Sunnova’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are based on information available to Sunnova as of the date hereof, and Sunnova disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241119343214/en/

Sunnova Media Contact:

Ryan Bechtold

Ryan.Bechtold@sunnova.com

Sunnova Investors & Analysts:

Rodney McMahan

281-971-3323

Rodney.McMahan@sunnova.com

Source: Sunnova Energy International Inc.

FAQ

What is the size of Sunnova's (NOVA) new battery storage system for Penobscot Nation?

Sunnova will deploy a half megawatt battery energy storage system (BESS) for the Penobscot Nation.

How much energy will Sunnova's (NOVA) Penobscot Nation microgrid project generate annually?

The system will capture excess PV production estimated at 549,678 kWh per year.

What is the duration of Sunnova's (NOVA) service plan for the Penobscot Nation project?

The project includes Sunnova's standard 25-year Protect® service plan, covering system maintenance and equipment.

Why was Sunnova (NOVA) selected for the Penobscot Nation microgrid project?

Sunnova was selected through the Maine Grid Resilience Program to improve grid resilience and provide dependable power during electrical grid interruptions.