Solar Standard Offer Program
Divided Sky Roofing and Solar is proud to participate in Austin Energy’s Solar Standard Offer Program. Read on to learn how you can partner with us to give back to the Austin community while earning extra income.
What Is the Solar Standard Offer Program?
Are you an Austin Energy commercial customer? Do you want to give back to your community while earning some extra income? The Solar Standard Offer Program is the perfect opportunity to achieve both of those goals. Designed by Austin Energy’s staff, this unique program incentivizes business owners like you to host community solar projects on your commercial rooftop or parking lot. With the help of a solar developer like Divided Sky, this is a great opportunity to contribute to the community while receiving compensation from Austin Energy.
You can apply to the Solar Standard Offer program starting January 14th, 2025. Contact us to get started, and we’ll help you every step of the way from application to development and completion.
Why Participate?
The Solar Standard Offer Program is a great opportunity to contribute to the community while receiving monetary compensation. Whether you own or lease a commercial property, the program will help you install solar panels that will support the energy needs of low-income residents in Austin—all while getting compensated for your community service. With the help of Divided Sky, you can start contributing to the program as soon as possible, making the community more sustainable and affordable for everyone while earning some extra income.
Program Participants
There are three types of participants in the Solar Standard Offer Program:
System Host
An existing Austin Energy commercial customer willing to host a community solar project on their property.
System Owner
Either the system host or a third party that leases space from the system host to install and operate a solar system for the Community Solar program.
Participating Solar Contractor
The solar installation company applying for permits and installs the solar system. This is the role Divided Sky will play when you partner with us.
What Do You Get Out of It?
As a System Host or System Owner, you’ll be compensated by Austin Energy at the Standard Offer Rate for your solar production:
- For systems less than 1 MW—$0.1124 per kilowatt hour
- For larger systems: $0.0841 per kilowatt hour
These rates will be reviewed and updated by Austin Energy every three years, depending on a rolling average of five years of avoided cost analysis. Your utility bill will not be impacted by participating.
Let’s Team Up to Empower Solar Energy in Austin
FAQ
What Are the Benefits of Participating?
What Are the Benefits?
The Solar Standard Offer Program offers lucrative opportunities for commercial property owners, system hosts, and our community as a whole.
- For System Hosts: You can earn potential leasing income* without the burden of initial solar installation expenses. Plus, receive recognition Austin Energy extends its gratitude through program acknowledgments and communications.
- For System Owners: Receive energy payments at the Standard Offer Rate as well as federal tax incentives. Enjoy clear-cut energy value alongside appreciation from Austin Energy’s program communications.
- For Our Community: Stand proudly knowing you’re contributing to equitable renewable energy options with locally installed solar power. This initiative not only boosts access to renewable resources but also delivers significant environmental benefits.
Each participant plays a pivotal role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions with local solar projects, moving Austin towards an eco-friendlier tomorrow.
These advantages make the Solar Standard Offer Program an enticing proposition for forward-thinking businesses and property owners eager to champion renewable energy ventures while reaping rewarding financial returns.
Am I Eligible to Participate?
Am I Eligible to Participate?
To take part in the Solar Standard Offer Program, participants must fulfill specific criteria:
- System Hosts: You need to be a current Austin Energy commercial customer. If you’re leasing from a third-party System Owner, ensure that your agreement isn’t based on energy output.
- System Owners: Make sure you are registered as a vendor with the City of Austin.
- Participating Contractors: Ensure your registration is up-to-date with Austin Energy Solar Programs.
- Solar Systems Requirements:
- Your system’s capacity should fall between 50 kWac and 10 MWac.
- Installation is only permissible post-Austin Energy’s application review and receipt of the Standard Offer Installation Letter of Approval.
- All systems must connect to Austin Energy’s distribution grid and follow their interconnection standards.
- Remember, these systems will interface on the utility side of your meter.
How Do I Apply to Participate?
How Do I Apply?
- Begin your solar journey by teaming up with a Participating Solar Contractor like Divided Sky, setting the foundation for your solar project.
- Sit back and relax while we handle the application process for the Solar Standard Offer Program—no paperwork hassle on your end.
- We’ll craft a Customer Agreement Form and gather necessary signatures to nail down all project specifics seamlessly.
- Austin Energy will examine our submission to check if it meets eligibility requirements and falls within program capacity.
- If everything checks out, Austin Energy provides a 180-Day Capacity Encumbrance Letter, confirming availability of program capacity for eligible projects.
- Following this confirmation, we’ll submit any further documentation required to keep things moving smoothly.
- Once fully sanctioned, an official Letter of Approval from Austin Energy is sent your way—only then is the project officially set under their plan guidelines.
- Next steps include acquiring permits and organizing a pre-construction meeting with Austin Energy Solar Inspectors before kicking off installation.
- We’ll liaise with various City of Austin departments to arrange all needed inspections without you lifting a finger.
- After successfully passing final inspection, Austin Energy installs your meter so we can power up the solar system effectively!
- With energization complete:
- You’ll adhere to Solar Standard Offer Program’s REC retirement & Green Certification standards.
- Payments based on energy generation start flowing in as part of this rewarding initiative!
How Do I Find a Participating Solar Contractor?
How Do I Find a Participating Solar Contractor?
To qualify for submitting applications under the Solar Standard Offer, only approved solar contractors can participate.
All approved contractors are required to adhere strictly to the Austin Energy Code of Conduct and Ethical Requirements, as well as follow the guidelines set forth in the Austin Energy Solar Incentive Program Contractor Handbook, to maintain their eligibility on our list of participating contractors.
Divided Sky Roofing & Solar is proud to meet all these standards, and we’re eager to be your chosen solar contractor. Reach out to us today, and let’s get started!
What Resources Are Available?
What Resources Are Available?
For further reading, the following documents are available from Austin Energy. If you have any questions about these documents, feel free to ask our experts at Divided Sky.
