Center of Excellence

The document is the result of the study conducted by GDS Associates, Inc. (“GDS”) for Austin Energy furnishing third-party analysis and recommendations related to a commercial VOS tariff methodology and the commercial solar incentive program. The project conducted by GDS is comprised of the four tasks identified below: Task A: Review the current Residential VOS methodology and recommend modifications for a Commercial rate. Task B: Recommend a rate structure to incent the preferred orientation, and/or use of storage and smart inverters to shif

This report calculated a 25-year Levelized Distributed PV Value for the Central Maine Power service territory. The total value of solar found in this report is 33.7 cents per kWh.

This value of solar estimate was calculated by Xcel Energy using a methodology created by Clean Power Research for Minnesota’s Department of Commerce. The study calculated the value of solar as 13.6 cents per kWh in Xcel territory.

Rooftop solar photovoltaics (PV) and distributed energy resources can deliver net benefits to Nevadans today and, if thoughtfully utilized, play a significant role in Nevada’s energy future. However, these benefits are not being fully realized in practice today. Narrow accounting of distributed resources’ contribution to the grid, financial disincentives embedded in utility regulatory models, and outdated grid planning procedures are preventing full utilization of these assets. But these obstacles can be readily overcome. Doing so will deliver

The objective of this project was to calculate the long-term value of solar to Austin Energy. This information will be used by Austin Energy as input for the basis of a rate offered to customers

This study finds that a future U.S. electricity system in which solar plays a major role—14% of demand in 2030, and 27% in 2050—would result in enduring environmental and health benefits; that the existing fleet of solar power plants is already offering a down-payment towards those benefits; and that there are sizable regional differences in the magnitude of the benefits. The total monetary value of the greenhouse-gas and criteria air pollution benefits of the high-penetration scenario exceeds $400 billion under central estimates, which is equi

Nevada Public Utilities Commission Docket No. 13-07010. This study was commissioned by the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada in response to Nevada Assembly Bill (AB) 428 to forecast the costs and benfits of renewable generation systems that qualify for the state’s net energy metering (NEM) program. Energy + Environmental Economics completed the study under direction of the PUCN and with input from a stakeholder advisory group composed of experts from the solar industry, ratepayer advocates, and electric utility representatives. This work wa

In addition to avoided energy costs, behind-the-meter solar PV helps offset other costs associated with the electric grid. Some of these costs include avoided capacity costs and avoided transmission and distribution costs. Acadia Center assessed the value of solar of a PV system installed near Hartford, Connecticut. The results show the orientation of a system will deliver different values.

Acadia Center assessed the grid and societal values of 6 marginal solar PV systems in Rhode Island to better understand the overall value that solar PV provides to the grid. The analysis determined the value of solar to the grid ranges from 22-28 cents/kWh plus societal values of approximately 6.7 cents/kWh. The results of the analysis demonstrate solar is a valuable local energy resource that provides benefits to all ratepayers and society by helping to reduce the cost of the electricity system. To do so, distributed energy resources must be f

Acadia Center assessed the grid and societal values of 6 marginal solar PV systems in Rhode Island to better understand the overall value that solar PV provides to the grid. The analysis determined the value of solar to the grid ranges from 19-24 cents/kWh plus societal values of approximately 7 cents/kWh. The results of the analysis demonstrate solar is a valuable local energy resource that provides benefits to all ratepayers and society by helping to reduce the cost of the electricity system. To do so, distributed energy resources must be fai

Acadia Center assessed the grid and societal values of 6 marginal solar PV systems in Rhode Island to better understand the overall value that solar PV provides to the grid. The analysis determined the value of solar to the grid ranges from 19-25 cents/kWh plus societal values of approximately 7 cents/kWh. The results of the analysis demonstrate solar is a valuable local energy resource that provides benefits to all ratepayers and society by helping to reduce the cost of the electricity system. To do so, distributed energy resources must be fai

Acadia Center assessed the grid and societal values of 6 marginal solar PV systems in Vermont to better understand the overall value that solar PV provides to the grid. The analysis determined the value of solar to the grid ranges from 19-23 cents/kWh plus societal values of approximately 7 cents/kWh. The results of the analysis demonstrate solar is a valuable local energy resource that provides benefits to all ratepayers and society by helping to reduce the cost of the electricity system. To do so, distributed energy resources must be fairly c

Acadia Center assessed the grid and societal value of 6 marginal 1 kW solar PV systems to understand the overall value that solar PV provides to the grid, ratepayers, and society. To do so, NREL's PVWatts Calculator was used to estimate the hourly output profiles for 6 solar PV system orientations. This output was used to estimate avoided costs and benefits for 11 compoenets of grid and societal values. Location value, economic benefits, and subsidies received by fossil fuel companies were beyond the scope of Acadia's analysis.

Mississippi Public Service Commission Docket No. 2011-AD-2. Study prepared for the Public Service Commission of Mississippi on the potential implementation of net metering and interconnection policies in the state, specifically focusing on rooftop solar. Discusses a VOS Tariff on page 11

This discussion document is an assessment of what is known and unknown about the categorization, methodological best practices, and gaps around the benefits and costs of distributed photovoltaics (DPV) and it begins to establish a clear foundation from which additional work on benefit/cost assessments and pricing structure development can be built. This discussion document reviews 16 DPV benefit/cost studies by utilities, national labs, and other organizations. Completed between 2005 and 2013, these studies reflect a significant range of estima

Recent distributed solar generation ("DSG") studies have varied widely due to differences in study assumptions, key parameters, and methodologies, as shown by Rocky Mountain Institute's meta-study. A standard methodology would be helpful as legislators, regulators and the public attempt to determine whether to curtail or expand DSG policies. Valuations vary by utility, but the authors contend that valuation methodologies should not. The authors suggest standardized approaches for the various benefits and costs, and explain how to calculate them

Introduction Clean Power Research (CPR) was engaged by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association to develop a methodology for valuing distributed solar energy resources. Many studies have been performed by CPR and others over recent years to in which methodologies have been developed to perform these valuations. Distributed solar differs from conventional generation in several respects. First, it is not dispatchable and therefore requires a means for evaluating its “effective” capacity to put it on a comparable economic footing with in-market

At its December 7, 2010 Open Meeting, the Mississippi Public Service Commission voted to open docket 2011-AD-2 in order to investigate establishing and implementing net metering and interconnection standards for Mississippi. Mississippi is one of only a few states that do not have some sort of net metering policy for their distribution companies. In this report we describe a potential net metering policy for Mississippi and the issues surrounding it, focusing on residential and commercial rooftop solar. Two vertically integrated investor-owned

The economic value of distributed photovoltaic (PV) electricity is affected both by its correlation with transmission level energy prices and by a host of effects it may have on distribution systems. In this study we combine detailed physical simulation of distribution circuits with budgetary information provided by Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) to estimate PV's value with respect avoided transmission-level energy expenditures, avoided distribution system capacity upgrades, and increased expenditures to manage voltage magnitudes. We find that f

This paper considers the financial risks and investor implications related to disruptive challenges, the potential strategic responses to these challenges, and the likely investor expectations to utility plans going forward. There are valuable lessons to be learned from other industries, as well as prior utility sector paradigm shifts, that can assist us in exploring risks and potential strategic responses.

Analysis of 11 studies on the benefits and costs of solar and concludes that net metering is fair way to compensate solar owners for the value they provide.

During its 2014 session, the Maine Legislature enacted an Act to Support Solar Energy Development in Maine. P.L Chapter 562 (April 24, 2014) (codified at 35-A M.R.S. §§ 3471-3473) (“Act”). Section 2 of the Act required the Public Utilities Commission (Commission) to determine the value of distributed solar energy generation in the State, evaluate implementation options, and to deliver a report to the Legislature. For the project, the Commission developed the value of solar methodology through a mediated stakeholder review process, conducted

Utah Clean Energy contracted with Clean Power Research (CPR) in 2013 to estimate the Value of Solar™ (“VOS”) in Utah for the territory served by Rocky Mountain Power (RMP).

Defines DG, discusses applications, and goes through the regulatory and technical background behind the concept.

In recent years, Michigan has seen an increase in grid-connected photovoltaics (PV), with 1.9 MW installed in 2010, bringing the total grid-connected PV capacity to 2.6 MW.  As solar technologies become more prominent in Michigan’s electric generation portfolio, it is increasingly important to understand the value it provides to the state’s electric utilities and citizens. This white paper study estimates the value of PV generation in Michigan by comparing hourly solar generation with hourly electricity prices from specific years. This study al

This report presents an analysis of value provided by grid-connected, distributed PV in San Antonio from a utility perspective.

This report presents an analysis of value provided by grid-connected, distributed PV in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Austin Energy plans to offer residential customers a new solar net metering tariff based on the value of solar energy generated from distributed photovoltaic (PV) systems in the grid to the utility in place of traditional net metering. Austin Energy worked with Clean Power Research (CPR) to employ the algorithms from a utility value calculator to design the solar tariff. A rebate structure was also designed in order to ensure that customers still satisfy a key economic cost-effectiveness test and address first-cost barriers facing solar custome

Report pursuant to Section 1817 of the EP Act of 2005 evaluating the viability of distributed generation as a source of energy for consumers, and using its history to explore this possibility

The existing electric system was not designed to withstand multiple terrorist acts. One solution is to protect the system. This, however, is likely to be prohibitively expensive and may not even be successful. . . . Distributed PV is one technology that could be used to make the system a less attractive target because distributed PV could withstand a simultaneous attack on both the electric and the natural gas systems.  A more secure electric grid will provide the federal government with revenue protection. This paper found that the economic va

This article identifies the combined value that solar electric power plants deliver to utilities’ rate payers and society’s tax payers. Benefits that are relevant to utilities and their rate payers include traditional, measures of energy and capacity. Benefits that are tangible to taxpayers include environmental, fuel price mitigation, outage risk protection, and long-term economic growth components. Results for the state of New York suggest that solar electric installations deliver between 15 to 40 cents per kWh to ratepayers and taxpayers.

This report documents the Company’s efforts and results of an investigation addressing the integration costs of intermittent solar generation integration costs for solar generation levels between 200 and 800 megawatts (MW) of solar nameplate capacity on the Public Service system. The analysis considered various solar generation technologies, natural gas pricing, and geographic location of solar generation facilities.

Study that addresses the technical and analytical challenges that must be addressed to enable high penetration levels of distributed renewable energy technologies.

Study evaluating the costs and benefits of increasing the use of solar PV in NYS to 5,000 MW by 2025, and providing findings and recommendations.

General evaluation of Vermont's net metering statute, rules, and procedures, and an examination of benefits and costs.

Prepared for The Vote Solar Initiative; paper that explores the recent claims by California's IOUs that the state's net energy metering (NEM) policy causes substantial cost shifts between energy customers with solar PV systems and other non-solar customers, particularly in the residential market. Concludes that the utilities' concerns with the impacts of NEM on non-participating ratepayers are unfounded.

This technical memo describes the inputs and methods used to update the avoided costs for energy efficiency cost-effectiveness valuation for the 2014 through 2016 program cycle.

PowerPoint providing updated information on the VoSS

PowerPoint providing updated information on the VoSS

Study evaluating the costs and benefits to the Arizona Public Service from solar distributed energy technologies.

The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) issued a draft Compliance Order to determine how Distributed Generation (DG) can impact NV Energy’s energy delivery system performance, reliability, distribution operations, and electricity rates.  As a result of its significant experience examining DG integration on utility systems in Nevada and the U.S., Navigant Consulting, Inc. (Navigant) was selected by NV Energy to conduct a study to address:  What is the “maximum amount of DG from renewable energy that can be integrated on the distribution

PowerPoint detailing a cost-benefit study on net metering in California

Study investigating and documenting winning business cases for utility ownership and examples of cost recovery of DSG investments.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of distributed generation technologies using an economic model based on the adopted cost-benefit methodology. These results were to provide the framework and a model to help the California Public Utilities Commission in identifying distributive generation technologies eligible for the Self-Generation Incentive Program. Distributive Generation cost-effectiveness is examined from the perspectives of society, participants, and Program Administrators.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) retained Energy and Environmental Economics, Inc. (E3) to perform a cost-effectiveness evaluation of the California Solar Initiative (CSI) in accordance with the CSI Program Evaluation Plan. This evaluation of the CSI program is one component of a larger contract award and analysis plan that also includes cost-effectiveness evaluation of Net Energy Metering (NEM), completed by E3 in January 2010, and a comparative distributed generation (DG) analysis, to be completed by E3 in 2011. Three distinc

The objective was to calculate and discuss the long-term value of solar for Austin Energy as input for the basis of a rate offered to customers because Austin Energy received national recognition as leaders of value of solar and tariffs. Rebates and societal benefits were not included in the analysis.