shared solar: what's working & what's next (irec & sepa)
DESCRIPTION
Shared solar is one option for energy consumers who want to benefit from the sun's power but don't have the rooftop for it. Only about 25 percent of residential rooftops are capable of hosting solar generation systems. IREC and SEPA have helped develop shared solar programs across the country. Hear about what's working, including program stats from SEPA's recently released report, and what’s on the next horizon. With Erica McConnell and Becky Campbell.TRANSCRIPT
Shared Solar: What’s Working, What’s Next
Erica Schroeder McConnellKeyes, Fox & Wiedman LLP
Becky CampbellSolar Electric Power Association
October 21, 2014www.irecusa.org
@IRECUSA#3iForum
Why Shared Solar?
I want to benefit from renewable energy generation, but I…
– Rent my apartment– Live in a multitenant building (e.g., a condo)– Have insufficient or problematic roof space
(e.g., too shady)– Am just not interested in on-site generation
(maintenance responsibility, aesthetic issues, etc.)
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Only 25% of residential roofs permit on-site generation
Paidpati, Frantzis, Sawyer and Kurrasch, Nat’l Renewable Energy Lab., Rooftop Photovoltaics Market Penetration Scenarios, (Feb. 2008), available at http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy08osti/42306.pdf.
Serving More Energy Consumers
If just 5% of U.S. households invested in a 5-kW interest in a shared solar system…
… we’d see over 28 GW of additional solar capacity!http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/00000.html
The Vote Solar Initiative
Net Metering Shared Solar
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Guiding Principles for Shared Solar
IREC, Model Rules for Shared Renewable Energy Programs (2013), www.irecusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/IREC-Model-Rules-for-Shared-Renewable-Energy-Programs-2013.pdf
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Critical Program Elements
1. Allocating the benefits of participation
2. Valuation of the energy produced
3. Program administration
4. Shared solar facility ownership
5. Shared solar facility size and location
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Additional Considerations
• Number of program participants• Minimum and maximum subscription sizes• Portability and transferability of participation• REC ownership• Consumer protection• And more…
Ultimately, the community’s goals, priorities and constraints determine
what the program looks like6
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Future
DC
Based on IREC research as of September 2014, www.irecusa.org
Shared Solar Growth in the U.S.
Statewide Programs Voluntary bill-credit Programs
MD:
DC
Investment-based models
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Tracking the Growth
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Where are the Programs?
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How are Programs Distributed?
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How Successful are the Programs?
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How Successful are the Programs?
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Who Is Participating?
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213 People 1 MW
71% Subscribed
What’s Next?
• Programs nearing implementation:– Minnesota Community Solar Gardens– Washington, DC Community Renewable
Energy Facilities– California Green Tariff Shared Renewables
programs
– Utility-level projects and programs
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What’s Next?
Policy considerations—how can we:• Maximize grid benefits and minimize
interconnection costs?– Interaction with distribution planning and
interconnection procedures
• Reach more low- and moderate-income consumers?– Interaction with financing opportunities
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Further Resources
• IREC Shared Renewables Resources: www.irecusa.org/regulatory-reform/shared-renewables
• SEPA: www.solarelectricpower.org• NREL Guide to Community Solar
www.nrel.gov/docs/fy11osti/49930.pdf • Shared Renewables HQ: www.sharedrenewables.org
www.irecusa.org www.irecusa.org
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www.solarelectricpower.org
For more information
Erica Schroeder [email protected]
Becky Campbellbcampbell@solarelectricpow
er.org