Resource Library

Overview of Colorado's net metering policy, which has been identified as one of the best in the country. The hyperlink below is a snapshot from the website.

A copy of the Colorado Community Solar Gardens Act that allows a subscriber to register one or more physical locations to which the electricity generation can be attributed to as long as it is within certain geographic limits. To see the bill click on the hyperlink below. The portions particularly related to net metering and allocation of value are highlighted in yellow (see pages 6 and 7).

This Colorado Electric Vehicle Readiness and infrastructure Plan provides the framework for Colorado to become a first-tier market for plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs), transportation technology, and PEV charging infrastructure. Based on the participation and input of a vast consortium of industry partners, this Plan provides an analysis of the Colorado PEV market and consumers, an assessment of current market barriers, and strategies to optimize growth.

For solar systems up to 2 MW-DC, Colorado counties and municipalities can charge no more than the lesser of the local government's actual cost to issue a permit for active solar energy devices or $500 for a residential application and $1,000 for a nonresidential application. For systems 2 MW-DC or larger, the local government can charge no more than what it actually costs the government to issue the permit.

Colorado Springs Utilities supports and encourages customers to install solar PV generating systems at their homes and businesses, which helps protect the environment, diversifies their energy supply, creates energy independence and reduces their summer peak capacity requirements. The hyperlink below displays the renewable energy program fact sheet. Visit source link below to access the program website. This is a good example for utilities looking to develop a more simple, streamlined solar webpage.

Colorado Senate Bill SB08-117 caps the permit fee state-wide to the lesser of actual cost to administer or $500 for residential or $1000 for commercial. Click the hyperlink below to see the bill text (4 pages) with the key language highlighted in yellow.

The EPA's dCHPP (CHP Policies and incentives database) is an online database that allows users to search for CHP policies and incentives by state or at the federal level. dCHPP has two primary purposes: policy makers and policy advocates can find useful information on significant state/federal policies and financial incentives affecting CHP, and CHP project developers and others can easily find information about financial incentives and state/federal policies that influence project development.

This guide describes how local governments can lead by example and increase use of combined heat and power (CHP) in their facilities and throughout their communities. CHP, also known as cogeneration, refers to the simultaneous production of electricity and thermal energy from a single fuel source. This guide includes an overview of the benefits of CHP systems, costs, sources of funding, and case studies

This article from Treatment Plant Operator Magazine details the 60 kW CHP system installed at the local wastewater treatment plant in the town of Holt, Michigan. The system, which went online in 2009, is expected to produceannual electricity savings of $30,000 and annual natural gas savings of $40,000.

ComEd splits applications for interconnection to their distribution grid into four levels (with breakpoints at 10kW, 2MW, and 10MW). Most residential systems will qualify for Level 1, an expedited online process with a low interconnection fee of $50. Click the first hyperlink to see the Level 1 application form, and visit the second hyperlink to see the qualifying conditions for level 1 review and associated procedures (extracted from the IL Public Utilities Code on Interconnection). You can also visit the URL in the Source section below to find more explanations of the levels and process on ComEd's website.

Adopted in 1994, CECO requires commercial property owners to complete certain energy conservation measures in their buildings upon transfer of property ownership or when additions or renovations are made. Specified measures include reducing the interior and exterior lighting loads, and utilizing lighting control for exterior lights.

In 2015, the French Senate formally adopted legislation that mandates that the roofs of all new buildings in commercial areas must be so-called green roofs, which are at least partially covered in either solar modules or with living plants. As well as potentially delivering a boost to installed solar capacity across the country, green roofs provide a thermal insulating effect and moderate rain run-off, while also boosting biodiversity. This legislation is part of a wider program to accelerate the country's sustainable development transition.

Missouri's City Utilities' rebate program for commercial customers offers rebates of up to $10,000 for high bay and exterior lighting upgrades, LED exit sign upgrades, and occupancy sensors.

Figtree Financing, a commercial PACE loan provider in California, includes energy storage on its extensive list of eligible energy upgrades.

This fact sheet provides a brief overview of commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE), a type of financing program supported by state and local governments that is designed to expand renewable energy and energy efficiency technology adoption. Commercial property owners pay PACE funds back over a set period of time as a line item on their property bill. This stable repayment allows for energy-related projects that have longer payback periods that would otherwise not meet commercial payback requirements for capital improvements.

The City of Milwaukee's Me2 Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing helps commercial property owners affordably finance building upgrades including heating and cooling systems, thermal storage, lighting, building energy controls, and solar.

GreenFinanceSF is a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing program that provides San Francisco commercial building owners access to low-cost financing to make energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades and the ability to repay the loan on their property tax bill. The hyperlink displays a program overview. Visit the source link below to access the program webpage.

This primer gives an overview of commercial PACE programs, featuring an explanation of the mechanism, advantages and disadvantages of using this sort of program, different financing pathways, properties and measures that are eligible for this sort of financing, and more.

Guideline for establishing a fixed fee for commercial rooftop systems based on the Commercial PV Permit Fee Calculator.

Inyo County, CA, is in the process of developing a voluntary policy for the county to consider the commissioning of new buildings and retro-commissioning of existing buildings as a part of its Cost, Energy, and Service Efficiencies Plan. This will ensure that any new county buildings are designed with energy efficiency in mind and bring existing buildings into optimal operating conditions that will improve overall energy efficiency. Buildings will be chosen based on budget, energy use, and size.

Local government should reach out to residents and businesses to inform the community about PEVs, charging infrastructure, and the actions it is taking to become PEV ready. Key, high-level messages can highlight PEV availability and benefits such as total cost of ownership, and environmental, health, and community benefits, then point to state and national outreach campaigns. The primary focus, however,should emphasize the community-specific PEV activities and information such as local PEV policies.

Fact sheet on Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) programs, which are bulk electricity purchasing arrangements through which municipalities are empowered to negotiate electric supply rates with power providers on behalf of the residents and business owners within their jurisdiction.

Pacific Gas & Electric's Frequently Asked Questions page for community choice aggregations offers an overview of CCA programs and highlights customer considerations, such as how to enroll, billing and rates, and opt-out information.

In May 2014, Lancaster's City Council approved an ordinance declaring the City’s intent to explore establishment of a Community Choice Aggregation. As a result, the not-for-profit utility Choice Energy was established to provide clean energy to those who work and live within Lancaster. The city ended 2014 at 54.4% of its goal of becoming a net-zero city, and city leaders said they are on the way to 100% when Lancaster can procure and produce more electricity via renewable sources than is consumed in city limits. The implementation plan for Lancaster's CCA is attached below.

This brief 5 page report provides a concise summary and description of three successful community solar programs, one IOU, one cooperative, and one municipal program.