If you want to develop solar projects in your community but don’t know where to start, check out this new publication from Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development.
Community Solar provides power and/or financial benefit to, or is owned by, multiple community members.
"A Guide to Community Solar: Utility, Private, and Non-profit Development," profiles community solar projects from across the country, provides examples of various project ownership models and has an introduction to tax, finance and securities issues.
This guide is designed as a resource for those who want to develop community solar projects, from community organizers or solar energy advocates to government officials or utility managers. It includes the Interstate Renewable Energy Council Model Community Renewables Program Rules, a policy template for states and utilities to encourage community solar.
A 2008 study by the National Renewable Energy Lab found that only 22-27% of residential rooftop area is suitable for solar PV after adjusting for structural, shading, or ownership issues. Developing solar as a community therefore expand access to solar energy for renters, those with shaded roofs, and those who choose not to install a residential system on their home for financial or other reasons.
Read our article, Investing in Solar as a Community.
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) released its first "Model Program Rules for Community Renewables" to facilitate co-investment in local facilities based on best practices. The guide covers basic issues that face communities: system size, interconnection, eligibility for participation, allocation of benefits flowing from participation, and net metering of system production.
NW Seed’s Guide to Community Solar:
Loading...
Executive SummarySoletev is a new business pridvoing high-quality, full service distribution of solar systems, electric vehicles, electric charge stations and energy storage, specialty solar energy and electric vehicles-related supplies to off grid solar systems to home business users electric vehicles with electric charge stations throughout Southern California SE Asia markets.The principal owners are Tung Vo and Hanh Nguyen, whose combined experience brings office management, high levels of customer service, and over 20 years in marketing and sales management. At this time we are seeking additional equity capital to compliment our own investment and are seeking to arrange a bank line for working capital and receivables financing. We have firm commitments to distribute several high-quality new age off grid solar systems, energy storage, electric vehicles charge EV stations, and have verbal commitments from independent distributors wholesalers throughout the Southern California SE Asia to carry our products. We currently have three solar system modules; M-24-00, M-24-01 M-24-02 and two electric scooters in our branch office in Tan Phu, Vietnam for the demonstration of their functionalities. We plan to distribute our first products within 90-180 days of finalizing financials arrangements.Sales projections for Soletev are estimated to begin at approximately $3,904,360 the first year, increasing to approximately $7,808,720 in Year 2 and approximately $11,713,080 in Year 3. Our net profit is projected at approximately $780,872 the first year, increasing to $2,342,616 by the end of the third year of operation. This based on a 20% net profit margin.Distinguishing characteristics of our business will be the combination of management experience, sales and distribution networking relation in SE Asia, high-quality, innovative products and exceptional customer service. In particular, what really sets up apart is that we are the ONLY exclusive distribution company for MCV of San Diego, BYD of Southern California, SI of Shanghai, China ZEV Corporation of West Virginia for Southern California SE Asia distributing solar systems, solar energy storage, electric vehicles and electric charge stations. In addition, Soletev is going to partner with Minh Anh Corporation Thuy Tien Group to manufacture our own high end but very affordable all electric scooters for Vietnam market using US high quality specs. 1.1 Objectives•To open and operate a successful distribution company for solar technologies including solar systems, solar energy storage, electric vehicles charge stations and all electric vehicles in the Southern California and SE Asia market•To employing eight to fifteen employees the first year.•To obtain at least 1 main distributor and/or 1 wholesaler for one of the 6 countries; USA, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia Philippines the first year of operation.•Sell a minimum of 300 solar systems,120 e-scooters, 2 energy storage 4 EV stations.•Achieve first year sales of $3,904,360 and maintain gross profit margin of 20%.•To produce a net profit of at least $780,872 by the end of the first year of operation.•To break even end of first year of operation maintain 20% net profit margin thereafter.