Topics - Rooftop Solar

The Value of Distributed Electricity Storage in Texas

This whitepaper, commissioned by Oncor Electric Delivery Company, shows that deploying electricity storage on distribution systems across Texas could provide substantial net benefits to the state. The analysis assumes that the storage deployment plan will be developed to capture as much benefits as possible by integrating value from increasing customer reliability, improving the transmission and distribution systems, and transacting in the wholesale power markets.

Solar Market Insight Report 2014 Q3

Solar Uniquely Positioned To Help States Meet New Regulations

After more than five months of listening to both pros and cons, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finally closed the public comment period on its proposed plan to cut carbon emissions from power plants. Now it’s time for the EPA to make a good plan even better.

Bridges to New Solar Business Models: Opportunities to Increase and Capture the Value of Distributed Solar Photovoltaics

In this report, Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), with support from the U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative, investigates opportunities to optimize and demonstrate DPV’s value as it is integrated into the grid to utilities, customers, and solar companies alike.

Financial Impacts of Net-Metered PV on Utilities and Ratepayers: A Scoping Study of Two Prototypical U.S. Utilities

As distributed generation continues its rapid expansion, these new resources will have an increasingly larger role. This analysis focuses on two prototypical investor-owned utilities, one in the southwest and one in the northeast. For each utility, this study models the potential impacts of PV over a 20-year period, estimating changes to utility costs, revenues, average rates, and utility shareholder earnings and return-on-equity (ROE).

Diffusion of environmentally-friendly energy technologies: buy versus lease differences in residential PV markets

Utilizing a unique dataset from the residential PV market in Texas, the authors construct a financial model based in part on an NREL model that calculates the expected lifecycle costs and revenues of PV system ownership for the residential buying and leasing business models. The results confirm the ability of third party ownership to open up new market segments. 

U.S. Residential Photovoltaic System Prices, Q4 2013 Benchmarks: Cash Purchase, Fair Market Value, and Prepaid Lease Transaction Prices

The Executive Summary from the report:

Status of Net Metering: Assessing the Potential to Reach Program Caps

Several states are currently addressing the issue of net metering program caps, which limit the total amount of net metered generating capacity that can be installed in a state or utility service territory. This study examines these program caps and forecasts how long NEM would be expected to be available in various states under current policies.

Rethinking Standby & Fixed Cost Charges: Regulatory and Rate Design Pathways to Deeper Solar PV Cost Reductions

Utilities have taken on the practice of applying standby and fixed cost charges specific to solar PV for customers choosing to go solar as a means to recover costs resulting from net energy metering (NEM). These charges are not the most efficient or best means for utilities to recover costs and this report finds that an integrated approach that includes the items below will allow for both effective utility cost recovery and minimal impact on the U.S. PV market. 

SEIA Applauds Initiative to Expand Solar on NYC Schools

WASHINGTON, DC - Calling it an “important step forward,” the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is applauding a new initiative announced by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to install more than 6,000 kilowatts (kW) of solar power on public schools across the city.