The document discusses the shared solar model, which provides affordable access to clean energy for renters and homeowners who cannot install traditional solar panels. It highlights the need for policy and utility cooperation to effectively implement shared solar, particularly for low-income communities facing challenges like transience and credit issues. The document advocates for inclusive policies that ensure the benefits of solar energy reach underserved populations while promoting community health and job growth.

1. Shared Solar
Creating Universal Access to Clean Energy
September 2014
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2. Current residential solar market
The “panels on your roof” approach does not work for
the majority of customers.

3. 10/2/2014
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Current residential solar market

4. 4
How shared solar can help
10/2/2014
» Shared solar works for the other
80%
» Gives renters, millions of home and
business owners affordable access
to clean energy for the first time
» Ideally, simple for customers to
participate

5. With shared solar, dense urban markets
are no longer off limits
NYC Electric Demand = 30%+ of NY State
http://www.fastcodesign.com/1669351/new-york-city-s-energy-consumption-visualized-building-by-building
Rooftops and vacant land in outlying boroughs can host shared solar facilities,
helping to meet enormous customer demand for clean energy

6. How does shared solar work?
10/2/2014
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7. How does shared solar work?

8. Why do we need policy
10/2/2014
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Need policy / utility cooperation to
» Properly value benefits from
shared solar
» Get those benefits reflected on
participating customers bills

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Shared Solar Policies and Campaigns
www.sharedrenewables.org
10 states have
shared solar
policy

10. 1
0
States where it’s working
10/2/2014
• CO
• CA – multitenant
• hopefully soon DC!

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Utilities doing it… their way
10/2/2014
“
”

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LMI-specific need
Customer challenges
10/2/2014
• Likely to rent – split
incentives
• Likely to be transient
• Difficult to credit qualify for
solar financing

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LMI-specific need
Customer challenges
10/2/2014
• Likely to rent – split
incentives
• Likely to be transient
• Difficult to credit qualify for
solar financing
Community challenges
• Pollution, health concerns
• Lack of jobs, training for
21st century jobs

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Approaches for LMI customers
Customer benefits
10/2/2014
Colorado
• 5% of energy generated
(by program portfolio)
must go to low income
customers

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Approaches for LMI customers
Customer benefits
10/2/2014
Colorado
• 5% of energy generated
(by program portfolio)
must go to low income
customers
Community benefits
California
• At least 1/6 of solar projects
must be built in EJ
communities
• Limited to 1MW in size
Conversely, NY proposal…
• No more than 20% of
projects in EJ communities

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Approaches for LMI customers
Customer perspective Community perspective
10/2/2014
» Require direct participation
by LMI customers
» Use of premium payments
to support lower rate
options for LMI
» Jobs
» Health benefits
» Community pride
» Site on community
facilities – resiliency in
emergencies

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Policy considerations for LMI
10/2/2014
» Paying a premium isn’t gonna cut
it, and there’s no reason for it
» Fixed rates are probably good
» Need zero/low $ down options –
subscription models appealing
Check out IREC
model rules

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Policy considerations for LMI
10/2/2014
» Maintain flexibility for different
biz models
» Get creative on value streams
– donation of land/roof space,
altruistic anchor tenant
» Looking for SCALABLE
models
Check out IREC
model rules

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Politics
10/2/2014
» Co-option of certain ratepayer advocates, NAACP
chapters, etc. to advance “solar hurts low income”
narrative
» How to overcome?

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The bottom line
10/2/2014
• Need to connect demand for
solar with optimal locations
for solar
• Numerous benefits for LMI
customers & communities
#solar4all