Inclusive Shared Solar Initiative: ISSI

Through the Inclusive Shared Solar Initiative (ISSI), each state has formulated strategies that address this disparity by leveraging LIHEAP and other low-income programs to reduce the costs of and barriers to investing and participating in community solar projects. 

• DC Solar for All: Implementation Plan to Scale Low- and Moderate-Income Community Solar + Storage Resilience Hubs in the District of Columbia
• Equitable Solar Access Project: Implementation Plan for Low- and Moderate-Income Community Solar Deployment in Minnesota
• Wisconsin’s Inclusive Solar Community Offering (WISCO): Implementation Plan Designed to Bring Community Solar Options to Low- and Moderate-Income Communities in Wisconsin

Project Team

• National Association for State Energy Officials – Sam Cramer, Senior Program Director
• National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association – Mark Wolfe, Executive Director

ISSI Advisory Board – Providing Expert Advise and Project Guidance

• New York State Energy Research and Development Authority – Max Joel, NY-Sun Initiative Program Manager
• Inclusive Prosperity Capital – Kerry O’Neill, CEO
• National Trust Community Investment Corporation – Karin Berry, VP and Manager
• Solar Energy Industries Association – Sarah Birmingham, Senior Director of State Affairs
• Action Energy Services – Elliot Jacobson, VP of Energy Services
• U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office – Chani Vines, Senior Consultant; Shamara Collins, Fellow
• New York Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Office – Andrew Bryk, Program Coordinator
• Clearway Energy Group – Hannah Muller, Director of Public Policy
• Blue Wave Solar – Elizabeth Curran, Director of Public Policy
• American Public Power Association – Paul Zummo, Manager of Policy Research and Analysis
• National Rural Electric Cooperative Association – Adaora Ifebigh, Senior Manager of R&D Engagements
• Council for Development Finance Agencies – Toby Rittner, CEO
• Green for All – Michelle Romero, National Director
• Generate Capital – Peggy Flannery, Principal, Investment Team
   

The ISSI Program aims to refine, replicate, and expand the successful Solar For All program run by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. Through this program, the state government has worked to aggregate low-income customers into large enough groups to act as “anchor tenants” for new community solar developments. Customers are able to switch over their electric service, while retaining their current billing structure and receiving a monthly credit for participating in this program. The ISSI program will seek to learn from New York’s experience supporting community solar developments for low-income customers, and bring this model to low-income communities in new states. Key resources from New York’s program can be found here:

• Inclusive Shared Solar Initiative: Guiding Principles and Model Program
• Solar for All: Program Details
• Video with background on Solar For All
• Projects Supported by Solar For All

Program Design and Considerations

Several states have already experimented with different ways to support low-income community solar projects. ISSI will seek to build on those efforts, while convening institutional stakeholders to expand such programs. Below are key existing resources to support community solar.

• Community Solar Consolidated Billing: Review of State Requirements, Policies, and Key Considerations
• Inclusive Shared Solar: The State Policy Landscape and Select Community Solar Project Profiles
• Inclusive Shared Solar Initiative: Guiding Principles and Model Program
• Key Elements for Designing a Low- and Moderate-Income Community Solar Project
• Community Solar Funding and Financing Options: A Primer for State Energy Officials and LIHEAP Program Directors
• Community Shared Solar: Implementation Guidelines for Massachusetts Communities
• Minnesota Department of Commerce: Ten Questions to Ask when Subscribing to Community Solar
• U.S. Department of Energy’s National Community Solar Partnership
• Clean Energy for Low-Income Communities: Community Assessment and Barriers
• Equitable Community Solar: Policy and Program Guidance for Community Solar Programs that Promote Racial and Economic Equity
• Vote Solar: Guide for Utility Participation on Solar Programs for Low-Income Customers
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory: Design and Implementation of Community Solar Programs for Low- and Moderate-Income Customers
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory: Equitable Access to Community Solar: Program Design and Subscription Considerations
• Low-Income Solar Resources:
  • Policy Tools
  • Financing
  • Community Solar Overview, Case Studies, and Toolbox

Financing Resources and Options

While community solar can provide cost saving for subscribers on their monthly bills, up-front financing can be difficult. New product offerings always carry additional financial risk, and revenue is generated from small monthly payments from a high number of subscribers. ISSI will work to leverage existing financing mechanisms and apply them to the framework of community solar installations. Examples include:

• On-bill financing strategies
• Low-Income Housing Energy Assistance Program – Administered by U.S DHHS.
• Low-Income Housing Tax Credits – Administered by U.S. HUD

ISSI is currently working with three state governments, community groups, and financial institutions to host six new, low-income community solar projects from 2020-2022. In addition to pilot projects, the ISSI team will develop a suite of resources to facilitate community solar development in other states, and resources explaining the role of each key stakeholder.

Ways to get involved

• Join ISSI’s Peer Exchange Network to help guide the project and learn from your peers’ experiences with community solar deployment

• See our resources page for useful information and tools, as well as final reports on the ISSI pilot programs with key findings and strategies to replicate and scale these programs.