Putting the U in Community Solar Creating a Local, Meaningful University Offset Program Myron Willson, U of U Sustainability Resource Center Director Stephanie Dolmat-Connell, U of U Facilities Management Sustainability Manager Kate Bowman, Utah Clean Energy Solar Program Coordinator

Summary of Presentation University of Utah renewable energy background; Explanation of “community solar;” How we did it: Navigating the process; Advantages for the University of Utah.

Basic Shared Language REC = Renewable Energy Certificate/Credit o RECs are the environmental credits of power generation that allow organizations to make claims about how their electricity is produced. RECs are offsets. RFP = Request for Proposal Solarize = community solar model

Student Initiative: Energy Fee In 2003, student government passed $1/semester fee to purchase wind power. Intent to expand renewable energy for economical and environmental reasons; preference to drive green energy in the local market. Currently top 10 in nation in REC purchases by a University (through EPA Green Power program).

Student Initiative: Energy Fee

Why Not Invest On Campus? Low electrical prices (<$0.04/kWh) Deferred maintenance & infrastructure filling bonding capacity Roofing constraints due to building standards Not able to take advantage of tax credits

Community Solar Model Unite to tackle the solar process as a team; Realize cost savings through discounted pricing; Incentivize participation within established timeframe; Help individuals overcome logistical/financial hurdles of going solar; Utah Clean Energy programs in Salt Lake City: o Salt Lake Community Solar (2012: 262 kW) o Summit Community Solar (2013: 325 kW)

Barriers to Residential Solar Time and energy! Solar is an unfamiliar technology, and it’s hard to know how to choose a contractor. Individuals aren’t able to take advantage of economies of scale and discounts that larger entities can negotiate.

U Community Solar TIME: Simplified and streamlined solar installation process. CONTRACTOR ISSUES: The University pre- screened and selected installers. SCALE: Economies of scale provides substantial discount. Customer Benefits TRUST!

Customer process Learn about U Community Solar Take the online solar survey Installer contacts & schedules visit Installer visits your home Receive & review final quote Complete contract with installer Have panels installed Monitor solar generation & tell your friends!

From Idea to Reality ① Meet with General Counsel to understand potential issues and upper administration to secure support; ② Secure funding for program administration; ③ Understand REC registration; ④ Formalize partnership with non-profit—who is responsible for what; ⑤ Meet with installers (pre-RFP) to learn what they care about; ⑥ Convene steering committee and RFP committee; ⑦ Issue RFP; interview and select installers. Work out details; ⑧ Develop marketing plan; ⑨ Launch!

REC Registration Enphase monitoring system WREGIS Contract between homeowner and University

Legal Issues Purchasing and procurement guidelines and rules. REC contract—voluntary contribution. Program participants—who is eligible? Risk management.

Considerations for Installer RFP Issues are really going to depend on your specific circumstances, though here are some of the items we had to consider: o Number of installers o Geographic areas o Firm price vs. tiered pricing o Standardized RFP responses o Equipment (monitoring system, type of panel) o STANDARDIZE PRICING o SITE VISIT FEE We convened a pre-RFP meeting with local installers to gather their input about what was important and what might work best.

Marketing: How Participants Heard About the Program OTHER: Multiple sources (3%) Radio or TV (3%) Facebook (2%) Community/Nonprofit newsletter (2%) Contractor (1%) Information booth (1%) Departmental/Affiliate publication (1%) Mailer (0.2%)

Timeline (Limited-Time Offer!) April 22 nd U Community Solar Launch Event Solar Survey Opens October 24 th Solar Survey Closes – 3 week extension! Last day to take the U Community Solar Survey October Final Date(s) for Site Visit All interested/eligible participants receive a site visit by this date Oct 31 – Nov 21Commitment Deadline Final date for participants to contract through U Community Solar Spring 2015Anticipated Final Date for Installations All installations completed by this date All dates are subject to change

Progress to Date 1,678 Solar Surveys 546 Site Visits 222 Contracts Signed 1,031 Kilowatts Contracted (!) 100 Installations Complete

Progress: Participan t locations

University Benefits Price competitive, local alternative to RECs Goodwill from community REC productionPrice per mWh Open market REC$0.97/mWh (2013) Open market “local” REC$10+/mWh U Community Solar (if 1 MW)$2.21/mWh U Community Solar (if 1.3 MW)$1.69/mWh

Resources U Community Solar website, Utah Clean Energy community solar information, The Solarize Guidebook by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Myron, Stephanie,