Administrator
Department of Energy & Environment
Program name
Solar for All
Program summary
Through fiscal year 2021, the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (also known as DCSEU) will annually release a request for proposals (RFP) as part of its contract with the Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) for solar energy projects within the District that can be constructed before September 30 (end of the DC fiscal year). These projects will generate energy for the District’s Solar for All program, which provides solar energy at no cost to low- and moderate-income District residents. The RFP offers a per-watt subsidy to qualified solar developers for the installation of Community Renewable Energy Facilities and includes other requirements that govern the installation and system maintenance processes. Contractor must assign 100% of the electricity generated by the newly installed solar PV systems at no cost to DOEE-selected low-income subscribers for at least 15-20 years.
Applicable building size
Any
Opportunity
Incentives to install Community Renewable Energy Facilities (CREF).
Funding
- Incentive/funding details. Provides an incentive based on the dollar-per-watt of solar PV built.
- Contract structure. Contract term is 16-21 years. The first year is dedicated to construction of the solar PV system and is followed by a 15-20 year performance period.
- Amount (max, min, average). A cap is placed on the dollar-per-watt of solar built incentive paid to contractors. The cap is determined each fiscal year based on DC’s solar market factors/conditions.
- Simple payback. Varies by system size and overall project costs.
- Tax and balance sheet. Impact on balance sheet depends on project financing structure.
- Pairing with other sources. Can be combined with federal renewable energy tax credit (ITC) and DC solar renewable energy credits (SREC).
Process
- When in the project process an application should be started/completed. Project applications (RFP proposal responses) must be submitted after the release of the RFP and before the deadline in the RFP for submissions.
- Level of effort required. Solar contractors/developers must submit detailed proposals that are fully responsive to all required sections of the DCSEU Solar For All RFP. Submitted proposals must include viable CREF projects that can be fully completed within a given fiscal year.
- Length of time to receive funding. Contract awards are made each fiscal year through the RFP process. Solar developers are expected to complete solar PV project installation within the applicable fiscal year and are paid to achieve certain project milestones.
- Contractor requirements. RFP specifies several requirements for solar contractors/developers. Private for-profit and non-profit Solar PV contractors/developers are eligible to participate.
Additional information
- Advantages and disadvantages. Provides a clear benefit to the community that your organization can take credit for, but does not allow you to use the energy for your own purposes. Building owners can also benefit from cash/lease payments by allowing solar developers to lease roof space on their buildings.
- Ownership types or organizations are best suited for the program. Any.
- Program fit for customer. Best if the building owner is willing to turn over credit of the solar energy generated to low- and moderate-income District residents, and are not looking to use the solar to cover their own energy needs.
Take action
Visit DOEE’s website for more information on Solar for All.