Re:notch converts excess midday solar PV into heat and stores it in the property's underlying bedrock, providing long‑duration, battery‑free thermal storage for winter heating. The system is financed through a co‑investment model that pays for itself via roughly 50% lower heating costs within five years, and aggregated installations can earn additional revenue by offering grid flexibility services.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Commercial and residential properties with on-site solar PV often generate excess electricity during midday that cannot be used locally, leading to wasted renewable energy and higher heating and cooling costs. Traditional battery storage solutions are expensive, have limited lifespan, and do not address seasonal heating demand.
Solution
Re:notch captures surplus on‑site solar PV and stores the excess thermal energy in the geological bedrock beneath the property, creating a long‑life, battery‑free seasonal thermal storage system. The stored heat is released during winter to provide space heating, reducing owners’ heating and cooling expenses by roughly 50%. The system is installed under a co‑investment model, allowing the upfront cost to be recovered within five years through energy savings, after which owners continue to benefit for 20+ years. As more properties adopt the technology, they are linked into a flexibility fleet that can provide grid services, generating additional recurring revenue.
Target Audience
Primary customers are owners of commercial, industrial, and multi‑family properties with on‑site solar installations seeking to lower long‑term heating costs and improve asset value.
Features
- Direct capture of midday surplus solar PV and conversion to heat for underground storage
- Utilization of existing geological bedrock as a stable, long‑duration thermal reservoir, eliminating the need for batteries
- Integrated control system that releases stored heat during winter months to offset conventional heating
- Co‑investment financing that enables payback through energy savings within five years
- Aggregated fleet architecture that offers grid flexibility services and shared revenue streams
- Minimal on‑site footprint and low maintenance due to passive thermal storage in bedrock