October 26, 2016
This 2016 Utility Solar Tax Manual reflects the latest developments in the federal ITC, administrative rules, and other tax codes and issues associated with solar project investments. These updates also incorporate recent IRS decisions related to the installation of battery storage projects in combination with ITC-eligible solar energy systems.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016
The transition from a traditional, centralized power grid to a more distributed one will have significant impacts on the grid of the future. As utilities begin to explore the capabilities of distributed energy resources (DERs), new tools will be called upon to optimize grid infrastructure and operations, such as increased flexibility to incorporate solar’s more intermittent generation. This guide explores the potential value of various DERs to provide power, capacity and ancillary services to the grid.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016
The transition from a traditional, centralized power grid to a more distributed one will have significant impacts on the grid of the future. As utilities begin to explore the capabilities of distributed energy resources (DERs), new tools will be called upon to optimize grid infrastructure and operations, such as increased flexibility to incorporate solar’s more intermittent generation. This guide explores the potential value of various DERs to provide power, capacity and ancillary services to the grid.
SEPTEMBER 13, 2016
"The electric industry is changing. But, changing to what? And how will that change unfold?
The 51st State Initiative takes a journey with over two dozen utilities, trade associations, industry analysts, tech-start-up entrepreneurs and visionaries as they attempt to answer these questions.
Scores of submissions have been summarized to provide a pathway forward through ideas and actions towards market transformation. The ideas or doctrines provide foundations for stakeholder agreement at the outset of conversations. The process to action involves engaging stakeholders in “roadmapping” within local markets to work together on tangible transition plans.
September 6, 2016
Written in partnership with Nexant and the second of SEPA’s Beyond the Meter series reports, this report addresses the growing need to define a common metric for assessing the distribution capacity deferral value provided by DERs so their individual values can be stacked and combined.
AUGUST 29, 2016
The first in a series of papers focused on distributed energy resource (DER) program strategy and planning, SEPA’s Beyond the Meter profiles utilities working on innovative approaches to engaging customers and launching DER programs. The paper discusses three key themes: evaluating DERs for potential system benefits, integrating insights about customers, and re-assessing planning processes.
August 17, 2016
Community solar programs come in many styles and structures. The most successful ones are designed with the customer in mind. But what does a community solar customer want? The Shelton Group and SEPA conducted a nationwide survey involving over 2,000 respondents to help answer this question.
JULY 19, 2016
Industry news expounding low cost utility-scale solar has been prevalent in recent months, Summary report of SEPA's annual survey of the solar activities of electric utilities. This report covers the residential, commercial and utility markets for solar power as well as developments in policy and program interest among survey participants.
April 6, 2016
Industry news expounding low cost utility-scale solar has been prevalent in recent months, touting prices below $40/MWh in multiple jurisdictions.1 While eye-catching, the reality is that utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) project economics vary widely and are dependent upon a host of drivers (Figure 1). As utilities consider adding solar to their resource mix, understanding these drivers and their implications is necessary for securing high-value, cost-competitive projects. This report will enable utilities to: (1) understand solar cost drivers; (2) recognize the value of solar in their resource mix; and, (3) establish a framework to evaluate solar projects.
February 28, 2016
In this public report, SEPA partnered with Pacific Consulting Group (PCG) — a SEPA member — to conduct research that will ensure that utilities and third parties groups design community solar programs that "get it right" the first time. Download the free Report or the shorter Executive Summary to learn more.
FEBRUARY 17, 2016
As large-scale photovoltaic (PV) solar projects become an integral part of utility portfolios across the country, managing these assets for optimum performance—physical and financial—has become a high priority for a range of stakeholders. To provide AM and O&M specialists with a basic understanding of solar asset management challenges, Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) partnered with the solar consulting firm High Performance PV to create this members-only Resource Guide on Utility Solar Asset Management and Operations and Maintenance.
FEBRUARY 2016
To understand how utility planning is changing, Black & Veatch and the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) interviewed five leading utilities across the United States and identified trends in utility planning practices. Each utility is pursuing a different mix of new methodologies and tools for DER planning.