Members of St. Alban’s Parish in Washington, DC were able to install a 14 kW system on their church for no money upfront using a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Photo courtesy of Carlo La Porta

Solar Citizen: Building the renewable energy movement from the ground up!

NEWS YOU CAN USE: Solar Rights and Power Purchase Agreement

Have you heard of a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA)? In many states, homeowners, non-profits and businesses can use these innovative mechanisms to go solar for no money down? Check out One Blog Off the Grid‘s great explanation of PPAs.

PPAs are really important if you are a non-profit, such as a church, school or local government, because they allow you to take advantage of federal tax incentives that reduce the cost of a system by up to 50% of the total cost.

Some utilities however, don’t allow you to have a PPA.  They say that ­only they are allowed to sell you electricity. Recently, in Virginia, Dominion Power issued a “cease and desist” to a University that was trying to go solar with a PPA with a local company!

Visit the Database for State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency to see if PPAs are allowed in your state

TOOLS FOR ACTION: Start a Petition

PPAs not allowed in your state? We can help you change that!

Solar Citizen has partnered with Community Power Network to help citizens take action and demand the right to produce their own power. We can help you start a petition to push for PPAs in your state.

Do you know a church, university, or non-profit that would like to go solar but can’t take advantage of federal tax incentives without a PPA? Help them start a petition to demand the right to have a PPA, too!

Check out the PPA petition that people in Virginia have started!
(and please forward this petition to anyone you know in VA)

RESOURCES: Understanding PPAs

Clean Energy Authority This site gives a good overview of PPAs and how homeowners can use them to finance a solar system. Go! U.S. Department of Energy DOE provides a good explanation of PPAs and the website includes resources and a webinar with additional information on PPAs. Go!

NREL Power Purchase Agreement Checklist for State and Local Governments This fact sheet provides guidance for local and state governments interested in using a PPA as a financing mechanism for a solar project. Go! California Solar Center’s Guide to Solar Power Purchase Agreements This is an excellent, detailed guide that explains PPAs for businesses, schools, nonprofits, and other organizations. It also provides examples of projects that have been completed using a PPA. Go!

 

---

TAKE ACTION!

Tell your legislators you deserve the right to produce your own power! Contact  Anya to learn more about starting a petition in your state.

SOLAR CITIZEN PARTNERS

VA Sun VA SUN is a citizens network of solar supporters in Virginia. We are part of a community listserve open to any individual or business interested in supporting solar in the state. Join us!  Go! Community Power Network We are a growing network of organizations and individuals fighting for clean, local renewable energy. Go! Your Organization Here Let us feature your project, campaign, or company in the next Solar Citizen update! Contact us.