Timeline: 3–6 months
THIS LEVEL WILL WALK YOU THROUGH THE LOGISTICAL STEPS REQUIRED TO PREPARE FOR PROCUREMENT THROUGH A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
IN THIS LEVEL, YOU WILL ANSWER KEY QUESTIONS THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO:
- Screen for interconnection
- Identify portfolio aggregation opportunities that can significantly lower the cost of your project
- Ensure you have preliminary board support
Step 1 Have you screened for interconnection?
Before finding a site or issuing a request for proposals (RFP), you should identify regions of your grid that can accommodate a distribution-scale solar project. A basic screening test compares the solar nameplate capacity (MW-DC) to the minimum daytime load on a substation or line.
CLICK BELOW to see NRECA’s Manual on Planning, Design, Installation/Interconnection, and Commissioning.
Step 2 Have you considered a group request for proposals?
A group request for proposals (RFP) can reduce the price you pay for solar. In a group RFP, multiple projects in a region are aggregated into a portfolio of distributed projects. In aggregated portfolios, buyers retain their own contracts (including terms that support individual requirements).
Portfolios enable the execution of multiple contracts simultaneously, allowing buyers to capture some of the economies of scale of larger projects.
CLICK BELOW to read examples of group RFPs.
Step 3 Have you gained board support?
Gaining board support early can ensure you avoid issues down the road.