This resource explores how cities can pursue 24/7 carbon-free energy by matching electricity consumption with carbon-free energy sources on an hourly basis. It examines key opportunities, challenges, and procurement pathways, including the role of clean energy purchasing, grid interactions, storage, and policy strategies in achieving deeper decarbonization.

The guide provides a predefined set of terms and an overview of the key clauses to include in a community solar lease contract.

This RMI report helps local governments understand and mitigate key risks involved with virtual and physical off-site power purchase agreements (PPAs). It describe six specific risks: price, basis, non-energy market, shape, operational, and volume. The report then summarizes nine mitigation strategies for the two primary types of PPAs: virtual PPAs and physical PPAs.

This article explains the concept of 24/7 carbon-free energy and outlines steps local governments can take to match electricity consumption with carbon-free energy sources on an hourly basis. It discusses data needs, procurement strategies, demand-side solutions, and utility engagement opportunities to help cities advance deeper electricity sector decarbonization.

This is an addendum to the American Cities Climate Challenge Renewables Accelerator’s Off-Site Renewables Power Purchase Agreement – Request for Proposal (RFP) Template. It provides guidance on how RFP processes and documents for renewables procurement may need to be updated due to COVID-19 and its impacts.

Local governments are becoming increasingly aware of the important role of wholesale market operators in decarbonization, the deployment of clean energy, and grid reliability. Wholesale market operators include regional transmission organizations (RTOs) and independent system operators (ISOs). Due to the technical and time-intensive nature of the process for engaging with RTOs, local governments frequently have a difficult time engaging in stakeholder and market processes. This report outlines case studies in which two municipalities and one coalition of local governments have successfully used innovative strategies to engage with their RTOs. The case studies feature the town of Hanover, NH; the PJM Cities and Communities Coalition; and the City of Castle Hills, TX.

The goal of this document is to provide local governments with an easily modifiable template, including a suggested structure and example language, to use when developing their own aggregated off-site renewable RFP. For procurement groups/leads required to use their jurisdiction’s RFP template, the material in this document should be easily transferable to your own template.

The goal of this document is to provide local governments with an easily modifiable template, including a suggested structure and example language, to use when developing their own aggregated off-site renewable RFP. For procurement groups/leads required to use their jurisdiction’s RFP template, the material in this document should be easily transferable to your own template.

This RFP provides an example of how a local government can procure a developer for a renewable energy project on a closed landfill site. Issued by the City of Annapolis, the solicitation seeks proposals for the development, financing, operation, and maintenance of the Annapolis Renewable Energy Park on the city’s former landfill property. The document includes proposal requirements, evaluation criteria, lease terms, and supporting attachments for landfill solar development.

This tool helps users estimate the potential greenhouse gas and air pollution impacts of a variety of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.