Welcome Abigail Ross Hopper, Esq. President and CEO SEIA
Jon Miller Executive Director OSEIA
Master of Ceremonies Suzanne Leta Liou Global Market Strategy SunPower
WiFi Network: solar Password: rocks2017 Tweet with #SolarEmpowersWomen or #SolarEmpowersDiversity to share your experiences at this event with others! @SEIA @OSEIA_SOLAR
This event encourages interactive electronic participation! To join in, download the free Bizzabo app in the Apple or Android store Instructions: • Open the app, and if it is your fj rst time using the app you will be prompted to created a password • Click "login" and enter the same email you are registered with for the event • Create a password as well in order to gain access to your community pro fj le • The SEIA event will automatically show up in your view on app once you login • If asked for a code, enter "123"
Panel Discussion: Solar Policy in the Pacific Northwest Amy Berg Rikki Seguin, Briana Kobor, Moderator: Bonnie Frye Pickett, Sr. NW Policy Director, Regulatory Jennifer Rouda, Hemphill, Policy & Zoning & Renewable Director, Vote Principal, Partnerships Outreach Northwest Solar 7Skyline Director, A&R Solar Manager, Cypress Creek Renewables
Short Discussion: Low Income Solar & Community Solar Moderator: Rikki Seguin Oriana Magnera Sara Birmingham Policy Director Outreach and Senior Director of Renewable Policy Advocate State Affairs Northwest SEIA Northwest Energy Coalition
Oregon Community Solar Final Program Rules Rikki Seguin – Policy Director, Renewable Northwest Women’s Empowerment West Coast Summit Oct. 11, 2017
Community Solar Attributes Project Size 25 kW-3 MW • Project Location In the service territory of an investor-owned • utility (IOU) Colocation restrictions – Participant must be located in same • service territory as project Program Size Initial Capacity Tier: 2.5% of 2016 peak load • PGE ~100 MW • PAC ~72.5 MW • IDP ~2.5 MW •
Community Solar Attributes Limits on customer participation • Owner/subscriber defined at the site address level • Up to average annual consumption – Excess generation donated • Can participate in multiple projects • A single participant can have up to 2MW • A participant and its affiliates can have up to 4MW (Staff to define “affiliates” in program implementation manual) Project level requirements • 50% must be for residential/small commercial customers • Minimum 5 participants • No participant can own/subscribe to more than 40%
Community Solar Attributes Low-income participation • 10% total program capacity allocated for exclusive use by low-income residential customers • Current approach: 5% per project, plus 5% additional program-wide • Commission will either reaffirm or adopt new approach when adopting Program Implementation Manual
Community Solar Attributes Certification process – many steps to be defined in program implementation manual • Certification as project manager • Pre-Certification Project managers can now acquire customers • • Begins preparing for final certification (incl. 50% participation and 5% low income) • Following pre-certification, IOU signs 20 year PPA with project • Final Certification • OPUC Staff, then Commission approve
Community Solar Attributes Compensation for Unsubscribed/Unsold Generation • 100% of unsubscribed/unsold generation compensated at the “as available” PURPA rate (market-based rate) – Project must have reached 50% participation REC treatment • All projects must register with WREGIS • Projects smaller than 360kw may apply for waiver • RECs must remain with participants or be retired on behalf • RECs for unsubscribed/unsold generation do not transfer to utility unless agreed to by both parties
Equitable Community Solar Challenges and Best Practices October 11 , 2017
Roadmap • Community Solar Policy/Low-income Community Solar Policy in other states • Lessons Learned • Best Practices
Source: Department of Energy (https://energy.gov/eere/sunshot/downloads/path-sunshot-community-solar)
CO • Lesson: Partnerships are key and projects have to have tangible benefits • Challenges: Language Distrust Barriers Mobility Cost Red Tape/ of Barriers Paperwork Residents Privacy Cultural Concerns Barriers Wonkiness Time delay of Energy of benefits Source: “Analysis of the Fulfillment of the Low-Income Solar Carve-Out for Community Solar Subscriber Organizations,” Lotus Engineering
NY • Challenges for community organizations and housing providers: Financial 10 Customer Resources Minimum Solar Organizational Experience /Staff Capacity
CA • Challenges: Utility No Real Programs: Carve-out for High Cost of LI Subscribers Participation Hard to Get Exit Projects Off Fees the Ground Source: “Low-Income Barriers Study, Part A: Overcoming Barriers to Energy Efficiency and Renewables for Low-Income Customers and Small Business Contracting Opportunities in Disadvantaged Communities,” CA PUC. docketpublic.energy.ca.gov/PublicDocuments/16-OIR-02/TN214605_20161201T144029_SB_350_LowIncome_Barriers_Study__Revised_Draft.pdf
Principles for Community Solar • Accessibility and Affordability: Meaningful financial benefits • Energy cost savings • Direct support to overcome some of the financial and other challenges to access. • Ownership interest in solar projects
Principles for Community Solar • Community Engagement: Partnership with communities through local organizations • Partners: Community development corporations, housing organizations, service providers • Needs assessment: find out needs and challenges and what assets are needed • Partners Provide: Critical outreach, planning support, engagement, education • Putting communities at the center ensures that programs are responsive and effective and helps maximize participation.
Principles for Community Solar • Consumer Protection: • Programs should not create incentives for predatory lending or exploitation of communities for financial gain. • Programs should have adequate consumer protection measures, disclosures, and accountability measures • Outreach and education needs to happen in multiple languages
Principles for Community Solar • Sustainability and Flexibility: • Encourage long-term market development • Be flexible as conditions and circumstances change. • Do low-income subscribers have to hold subscriptions?
Principles for Community Solar • Compatibility and Integration: Address the intersection of equity, energy, and infrastructure • Additive to existing renewable energy and energy efficiency programs • Integrate with low-income energy efficiency, workforce development, healthy home programs • Separate funding streams
Principles for Community Solar • The most effective low-income solar programs include: • Long-term, dedicated funding • Cover up-front costs • Integrate with energy efficiency offerings • Mesh seamlessly with existing energy assistance programs • Include support and funding for community education and engagement • Include job training and placement opportunities.
Questions?
Solar Workforce Diversity Initiative Roxie Brown Jeni Hall Program Director Senior Project Manager The Solar Foundation Energy Trust of Oregon
2017 U.S. Solar Industry Diversity Study: Current Trends, Best Practices, and Recommendations October 11, 2017 Women’s Empowerment – West Coast Summit
About the Solar Foundation The Solar Foundation (TSF) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on research and education to promote the widespread adoption of the world’s most abundant resource. Through our leadership, research, and capacity building, we create transformative solutions to achieve a prosperous future in which solar technology is integrated into all aspects of our lives. www.TheSolarFoundation.org
Background This study is an initiative of the Women’s Empowerment Committee undertaken by The Solar Foundation to understand diversity in the solar industry.
§ LEADER LEVEL § CHAMPION LEVEL PROMOTION LEVEL § § ALLY LEVEL
The Business Case for Diversity Companies with more diverse employees enjoy higher profits, broader market share for their products and services, and better employee well-being than their less diverse peers.
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