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.
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.
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.
Financing Community-Based Solar Projects: Case Studies from the Field
SEPA’s report explores different financing options through a series of six case studies based on in-depth interviews with utilities and project developers.
Financing Community-Scale Solar
RMI’s Financing Community Scale Solar Brief provides an overview of community solar, financing structures, and risks.
Community Solar for Low- and Moderate-Income Consumers
Slides produced by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory for a Clean Energy States Alliance webinar outline the advantages and disadvantages of various low- and moderate-income community solar programs design options.
Low-Income Solar Policy Guide
This website provides case studies and policy recommendations to promote the uptake of solar in low-income communities.
Design and Implementation of Community Solar Programs for Low- and Moderate-Income Customers
This report draws from literature and interviews with representatives from solar developers and state community solar programs to provide experience on low- and moderate-income community solar design.
Finding Value in the Energy Future
This report provides guidance on how utilities can collaborate with low- and moderate-income customers to promote the use of clean energy technologies and business model innovation.
System Advisor Model (SAM)
The System Advisor Model (SAM) is a free techno-economic software model that facilitates decision-making for people in the renewable energy industry. Cities may want to utilize this tool as a check against proposed power purchase agreement prices and to generally better understand potential costs of renewable energy systems given certain inputs. Microsoft Excel-based versions of the model are also available.