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The first step in installing a distributed energy resource is to evaluate your goals and determine which technologies might fulfill them. The main questions to examine are:
- What loads do you want to meet? — This can range from peak shaving to providing high-reliability, high-quality power.
- What environmental goals do you have? — DER technologies range from technologies that are significantly more polluting than central station power plants, to zero-emission, nonpolluting technologies.
- What energy resources are available? — The least-expensive power option is useless if the energy supply isn't available.
- What cost goals do you have? — Your load requirements, your environmental goals, and the available resources may restrict your cost options, but it is important not to disqualify technologies based on sticker price alone.
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