SEPA’s report explores different financing options through a series of six case studies based on in-depth interviews with utilities and project developers.
Unlocking Solar for Low- and Moderate-Income Residents: A Matrix of Financing Options by Resident, Provider, and Housing Type
NREL’s report aims to identify the most promising strategies state policymakers might consider using to finance PV for low- and moderate-income customers across three housing types: single family, multi-family, and manufactured housing.
Community Solar Business Case Tool
The Community Solar Business Case Tool provides a flexible financial model that projects the costs and benefits to the system developer and subscriber of a single community solar project. This tool can be particularly helpful for estimating subscription cost management and options.
New York State Solar Guidebook
The Solar Guidebook contains information, tools, and step-by-step instructions to support local governments managing solar energy development in their communities. The Guidebook’s chapters cover a variety of solar energy topics including the permitting process, property taxes, model solar energy law, and more.
PV Mapper
The U.S. Department of Energy’s PV Mapper is a free, open-source tool that allows users to search for and compare potential sites for utility-scale solar projects.
Project Sunroof
Google’s Project Sunroof Data Explorer can estimate the solar potential for an entire city, while its Savings Estimator can evaluate specific buildings.
RE-Powering America’s Land Website
EPA’s RE-Powering America’s Land website contains tools and resources on mapping and screening renewable energy on potentially contaminated lands, landfills, and mine sites.
Quarterly Price Index Blog
LevelTen releases a quarterly blog that provides aggregated pricing information for large-scale wind and solar power purchase agreements in various regions of the U.S.
Innovation in Power Purchase Agreement Structures
While not specific to U.S. cities, this report provides a useful overview of potential risks in off-site power purchase agreements.
WattTime
WattTime’s more granular, real-time emissions data resources can assist cities in making more accurate and nuanced assessments of the potential greenhouse gas emissions impact of prospective projects.