"Solar power is the last energy resource that isn't owned yet - nobody taxes the sun."
Our developer engagement focuses on credit worthy off-takers such as utilities, cooperatives and municipalities. There's no utility too big or too small.
Our grass roots approach to off-taker acquisition allows us to market BFA Energy nationwide.
ISO/RTO treatment and policies can dictate the best market to construct in. Other factors are PPA rates and interconnection cost.
Voluntary procurement was one of the biggest drivers of the increase in utility scale solar installations in 2018 with 2.9 GW tracked. Voluntary refers to the act of utilities procuring solar based on need and economic competitiveness rather than policy or state initiative.
Of all the utility-scale solar contracts signed in 2018, only 11% were under a mandated renewable portfolio standard, while more than 80% of projects were signed under voluntary procurement by a utility or corporate off-taker.
Our marketing campaign targets voluntary procurement because it gives use more flexibility to negotiate PPA prices and diversify our portfolio.
The ISOs (independent service operator) and RTOs (regional transmission operator) regulate many of the utilities we work with. In many instances we are required to work with these organizations to reach COD. (commercial operation date)
In addition to the RTO/ISO regions there are some balancing areas in the non-ISO regions of the West and Southest.
ISO/RTOs
CAISO
MISO
PJM
NE-ISO
NYISO
ERCOT
SPP
WEST
AZPS
NEVP
PACE
PSCO
PNM
SOUTHEAST
CPLE
DUK
FPL
SOCO
TVA
Utility Facts
-
There are nearly 37,000 megawatts (MW) of utility-scale solar projects currently operating, with another 74,000 MW under development.
-
Utility-scale solar can be paired with energy storage to manage evening energy ramps, provide backup power, and more.
-
Many utility-scale solar designs can also include energy storage capacity that provides power when the sun is not shining, and increases grid reliability and resiliency. Utility customers have repeatedly endorsed investments in utility-scale solar plants.
Many utility scale solar designs can also have built in energy storage that provides power even when the sun is not shining like traditional power plants. Utility scale solar will create jobs across the supply chain, from R&D, engineering, manufacturing and project finance. There are currently more than 26,000 MW of utility-scale projects under development.
BFA uses ETB in order to provide our comprehensive cost analysis. ETB is critical to our economic calculations for residential all the way to utility scale. Software developers are NABCEP certified.
Helioscope simplifies the process of designing, engineering and selling solar arrays. They combine streamlined layout tools with bankable energy simulations that we display for our customers.
Industry in Depth
Highlighting First Solar (world-class solar developer) and their Australian solar farm
Time lapse video
Highlighting ABB's utility scale solutions