Commercial PV
Small, mid and large scale commercial customers are hard at play. Large corporations such as Target, Walmart, Google, WholeFoods and Universities have taken control of their energy independence by installing solar systems on nearly all of their facilities.
It's a brilliant public relations move for business owners to go solar. As more everyday consumers begin to realize the benefits of renewable energy, businesses must employ new ways to build brand and customer awareness.
Corporate Procurement
Corporate procurement of utility scale solar grew by 17% from 2014-2017. Similar growth trends are expected to continue.
Multiple methods for solar procurement exist, but the primary forms are financial power purchase agreements (PPAs) (43%) and green tariffs and bilateral arrangements with utilities (36%).
States in traditionally regulated as well as restructured markets see high levels of solar contracts. California, Nevada and Virginia are prime examples.
As corporate buyers become new power market electricity offtake partners, the renewable energy transaction models will likely help the buyers meet their sustainability goals while mitigating revenue and project bankability risks for developers. These new models will also help corporate buyers meet their needs for energy spend reduction and long-term energy price risk mitigation.
Solar Panels for Farmers - There's no better time than now to power a farm with solar panels. The 30% tax credit will start dropping off soon and there is uncertainty surrounding the USDA REAP Grant. With commodity prices falling, many farmers are turning to solar panels to harvest the energy that hits their buildings everyday.
Many barns and buildings are already perfectly suited for solar panels because of their long sides facing south and their ends facing east-west.
Economical Benefits
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USDA REAP Grant
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30% Federal ITC
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Accelerated Depreciation
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Freedom from the utility company
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Predictable energy costs for 25+ years
Our Services
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Site survey/assessment
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Free roof inspection
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Solar system engineering/design
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Financing options
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Permitting
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Installation
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Operations & Maintenance
Now there's a solution for Everyone!
BFA is proud to supply a full service offering for Community Solar to US residents. Community Solar makes it possible for virtually everyone to go solar without installation on your property.
How to Participate
Ownership: This model allows participants to own some of the panels or a share in the project. They get to benefit from all the power produced by their share of the solar panels on the system.
Subscription: This model allows participants to become subscribers and pay a lower price for the electricity sourced from the community solar farm. They do not own the panels—they just buy the power at a reduced rate.
Benefits
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No Rooftop Requirements
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No Bothersome Installation
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No Upfront Costs
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Cheaper Utility Bills
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Energy Independence
Leveraging RPS and NEM
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Renewable Portfolio Standards are state level policies that mandate a certain percentage of energy generation to come from renewable sources, such as solar, wind or hydro power. States implement RPS to encourage the adoption of clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions
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Net Energy Metering is a billing mechanism that allows homeowners with PV to receive credit for the excess electricity the generate and feed back into the grid. When the panels produce more energy than the household consumes, the surplus is exported to the grid and homeowners receive credits that offset their electric bills.
Harnessing Solar Power - Home & business owners across the US are increasingly turning to solar to power their homes and businesses. One key strategy to take advantage of solar energy is through the combination of RPS & NEM.
Options for Panel Purchase
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Outright Purchase option is for owners to purchase panels outright. It does require significant investment, but it offers the highest long-term savings and ROI. Also, owning panels allows owners to benefit fully from incentives such as federal tax credits and state rebates
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Solar Loan for owners who can't afford to purchase panels, financing options such as solar loans provide an alternative. Loans allow owners to spread out the cost of panel installation over time, making it more accessible to a wider range of individuals
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Power Purchase Agreement or PPA is a 3rd party ownership model where a solar company installs and maintains panels on an owner's property at little to no upfront cost. In exchange, owner agrees to purchase the electricity generated by the panels at a predetermined rate over a fixed term, usually 10-25 years.
Industry in Depth
Pay as you Go
Roofless community solar
Highlighting Solar Alliance's community solar farm