Hosting a community solar project on city land can provide several advantages but requires the city, or a third party, to perform several steps to identify and vet suitable locations.
PROCUREMENT GUIDANCE MENU
Community Solar
Becoming a Host
1.
Understand Regulations for Community Solar Siting
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Research and understand any regulatory constraints regarding the size and location of a community solar project
3.
Consider Hiring a Solar Consultant
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Consultants can provide useful expertise and round out your team’s capabilities
5.
Screen for Interconnection
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Check to see if the grid at potential sites will be able to accommodate a community solar project
2.
Screen City Properties for Potential Solar Development
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Evaluate municipally-owned land and buildings for community solar development
4.
Assess Potential Sites and Issue an RFI or RFP
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Identify preferred sites based on your preferences and release an RFI/RFP to collect price quotes
6.
Help Facilitate Permitting and Zoning Processes
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Work with your colleagues to streamline bureaucratic processes
1.
Understand Regulations for Community Solar Siting
Learn More
Research and understand any regulatory constraints regarding the size and location of a community solar project
2.
Screen City Properties for Potential Solar Development
Learn More
Evaluate municipally-owned land and buildings for community solar development
3.
Consider Hiring a Solar Consultant
Learn More
Consultants can provide useful expertise and round out your team’s capabilities
4.
Assess Potential Sites and Issue an RFI or RFP
Learn More
Identify preferred sites based on your preferences and release an RFI/RFP to collect price quotes
5.
Screen for Interconnection
Learn More
Check to see if the grid at potential sites will be able to accommodate a community solar project
6.
Help Facilitate Permitting and Zoning Processes
Learn More
Work with your colleagues to streamline bureaucratic processes
Capture Additional Benefits
Further actions to help your community capture additional benefits from a community solar project.
1.
Support Local Economic Development and Job Creation
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Consider requiring developers to provide job training to the local community
3.
Reduce Project Costs to Capture Economic Savings for the City
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Consider low-cost siting options to reduce cost
2.
Enable Clean Energy Access to Low-Income Populations
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Incorporate a carve-out for LMI populations in the land lease
4.
Leverage Value from Existing Assets
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Consider opportunities to use otherwise unusable land or pursue other efforts to increase the project’s value
1.
Support Local Economic Development and Job Creation
Learn More
Consider requiring developers to provide job training to the local community
2.
Enable Clean Energy Access to Low-Income Populations
Learn More
Incorporate a carve-out for LMI populations in the land lease
3.
Reduce Project Costs to Capture Economic Savings for the City
Learn More
Consider low-cost siting options to reduce cost
4.
Leverage Value from Existing Assets
Learn More
Consider opportunities to use otherwise unusable land or pursue other efforts to increase the project’s value