27 Feb Community Solar on the Way

By the second quarter of 2015, Austin Energy residential customers who live in apartments, condos and houses will be able to purchase clean, renewable energy by tapping into a new Community Solar initiative. Much like a community garden, where people without garden-friendly land of their own garden, customers without solar-ready rooftops can purchase solar energy. 

The project includes a visitor center to serve as an educational showpiece highlighting the benefits of solar generation. A kiosk at the center will provide real-time data about the solar energy output and environmental benefits. The kiosk will proudly display participating customer names as a statement of their commitment to creating a cleaner and greener community.

Austin Energy has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to contract the development of this local community solar project. The initiative will help fulfill the Austin City Council resolution to have 100 MW of local solar by 2020. Austin Energy currently has about 50 MW of local solar at homes, businesses, non-profit organizations, public buildings and through the Webberville solar project.

Up to 4 megawatts of ground-mounted solar photovoltaic panels will be installed on a 26-acre site owned by Austin Energy benefiting from an existing distribution substation. The property, off of Sara Drive near Shady Lane, in East Austin is adjacent to a Capital MetroRail line. Austin Energy seeks to enter into a long-term purchase power agreement with the selected developer to purchase all of the electricity produced.

While details of a subscription-based community solar program are still to be determined, residential customers will be invited to participate first. The amount of solar power purchased will offset the same amount of conventional energy used by homeowners. Customers should  be able to continue subscriptions if they move within Austin Energy’s service territory.

Making this program available "allows all residents to contribute to a cleaner, greener and healthier community while helping to grow the clean energy economy in the Austin area,” says Debbie Kimberly, VP of Customer Energy Solutions. “Promoting local solar creates green collar jobs that diversify our economy and helps position Austin to be a leader in attracting clean energy industries.”

The deadline for solar companied to submit proposals to Austin Energy is April 29, 2014.
Learn more about the RFP.