The Solar Procurement Framework is designed for small utilities. The language focuses on co-ops, however the tools and resources available also reflect the needs of small munis.
- Member Demands Concern for community is the seventh cooperative principle. Distribution-scale solar can provide multiple community benefits including increased local tax revenue and local jobs.
- Economic Savings Distribution-scale solar can save co-ops through avoided energy purchases from the grid and avoided demand charges. Given distribution co-ops have extensive distribution grids, energy line losses tend to be high. Distribution-scale solar can be located close to loads on the distribution grid, therefore reducing energy line losses and avoiding transmission charges.
- Local Generation on the Distribution Grid Local power can improve grid reliability and resiliency.
- Environmental Attributes Distribution-scale solar will benefit the environment by reducing electricity generated from centralized power plants.
- Low Risk Contracts When a buyer signs a PPA with a developer, the buyer passes the technological, operational, and maintenance needs onto the developer, therefore reducing technological risk.