2: Strategic Design
This challenge area introduces the benefits of community-scale solar, and of designing with strategic integration value in mind. We provide a brief introduction to strategic-design best practices, including ways to properly frame the decision between siting locally or acquiring the solar resource from a centralized, remote project. An abstract of the CSVP GAP analysis process offers a preview of economic considerations, covered in more depth in the Net Value Assessment & Pricing section (6) of this Solutions toolkit. To show how one design element can be used in strategic applications, we offer a webinar and resource list on solar shade structures. Shade structures can be especially useful for community solar in urban areas, where siting is difficult. And, while not all low-income community solar program designs are strategic from the utility perspective, they may bring benefits that are highly valued by community stakeholders.
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For any community solar program designer, finding the right entry point for information on strategic solar design depends on his or her background knowledge and technical team support. Whether or not the program designer is charged with writing project specs, it is important to gain some background in solar, balance-of-system (BOS) components, interconnection and integration issues, or other aspects of strategic, high-value design. Note, however, that even the best resources in this field are quickly outdated, as solar, BOS and other components improve, and prices shift. Below, we offer CSVP's brief report, in presentation format, summarizing strategic solar design elements that are well-suited to local, utility-driven solar projects. We also suggest browsing the resources available through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, SEIA, SEPA; research groups, such as Rocky Mountain Institute and the consulting firms associated with CSVP. For utility planners interested in a recent technical design review, see the Cooperative Utility PV Field Guide, Volume II. It was updated in 2016 by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association SUNDA Project, in partnership with the U.S. DOE SunShot Initiative.
| 2017_01_02_elements_strategic_design.pdf |
Community solar projects designed for low-income markets may follow the same engineering, procurement and construction practices as any community solar project. Yet, some aspects require special attention, from developing stakeholder input, to targeted siting, project design, financing and marketing. This factsheet offers ten annotated resources, with links, to help utilities create programs that cost-effectively deliver solar benefits to a wider range of utility customers, including low-income community members.
| 20170901_low_income_factsheet.pdf |
There is an overlap between strategic solar design, discussed on this web page, and the net-value and financing analysis that is ultimately needed, in order to quantify the benefits that a specific solar project or program will bring. The CSVP GAP Process is a streamlined approach to these analytics, focused specifically on internal utility decision-making about solar acquisitions. As such, it encourages planners to revise and optimize their solar designs and fleet plans. This abstract is a brief introduction to the CSVP GAP process, including how it helps optimize solar design. Readers will find more details in the Net Value Assessment & Pricing section (6) of this Solutions toolkit.
| 20170913_gap_design_abstract.pdf |
One of the greatest barriers to keeping community solar local is the difficulty of siting community-scale solar projects. In urban areas, open land is often hard to find, and as solar projects become more prevalent, neighbors may raise NIMBY issues. Solar shade structures, primarily carports, could offer a solution. Lease or purchase arrangements may be challenging at first, but open parking lots are ubiquitous, so the likelihood of finding good site partner is strong. And the solar carport is literally a nexus between the growth of the solar market and the emergence of the electric vehicle (EV) market. Ultimately success with solar carports depends on strong collaboration, assigning costs and benefits properly, among the stakeholders.
CSVP studied several aspects of strategic design for solar carports. As described in the the Net Value Assessment & Pricing section (6) in this Toolkit, we recommend market testing and development of flat-roofed carport structures in some locations, for both ease of siting and construction and ability to capture more of the summer peak resource. These values can be monetized in the procurement process. Other values, such as the very real impact on the parking-customers’ time spent shopping in nearby retail stores or improved safety during rain or snow events, are harder to monetize, but powerful selling points, if well-presented. For that reason, we include here resources from an August 2016 webinar and market study. The webinar features Jill Cliburn, of Cliburn and Associates, Dan Ciarcia, of Two Willows Consulting (describing work with the Green Parking Council) and Bob Boscamp, of Power Parasol (describing high-value solar canopy designs and their benefits). A pdf of the slides is provided, as well.
CSVP studied several aspects of strategic design for solar carports. As described in the the Net Value Assessment & Pricing section (6) in this Toolkit, we recommend market testing and development of flat-roofed carport structures in some locations, for both ease of siting and construction and ability to capture more of the summer peak resource. These values can be monetized in the procurement process. Other values, such as the very real impact on the parking-customers’ time spent shopping in nearby retail stores or improved safety during rain or snow events, are harder to monetize, but powerful selling points, if well-presented. For that reason, we include here resources from an August 2016 webinar and market study. The webinar features Jill Cliburn, of Cliburn and Associates, Dan Ciarcia, of Two Willows Consulting (describing work with the Green Parking Council) and Bob Boscamp, of Power Parasol (describing high-value solar canopy designs and their benefits). A pdf of the slides is provided, as well.
| 2016_08_shade_webinar.pdf |
| 20170913_5_final_solar_carport_links.pdf |