Low-Income Updates and Resources
The low-income threshold has changed, as it always does on October 1st. Below, you may find several updated LI documents, an activity report, as well as program resources from our recent PM workshop.
- LI Participant Brochure (.pdf)
- LI Participant Flyer (.pdf)
- LI Subscriptions FAQ (.pdf)
- LI September Recruitment Report (.pdf)
- PM Marketing Best Practices (.pdf)
- PM Social Media Best Practices (.pptx)
- PM Web Page Text Template (.doc)
- PM Web Page Wireframe Sample (.pdf)
We’ve also created a video about the program, viewable at the provided link and below.
As always, if you have questions, comments, or feedback, please reach out to us at [email protected]. Thank you!
RFP for 3rd Party Interconnection Reviewer Services – Questions and Answers
Below are the Program Administrators’ responses to some questions received about our recently released Request for Proposal. Please see our last news post for more information about the RFP.
Task 1.2 – Deliverables reads: Participation and attendance at meetings between PM and utility staff as requested by the PM. How many meetings do we budget for? Are the meetings virtual?
Meetings will vary depending on the specific situation and the Consultant’s findings after reviewing each specific Utility Impact Study. However, to be as efficient and streamline the process as much as possible, the PM and Consultant should strive to have as few meetings with utility staff as needed while still meeting all goals. Consultant should expect that most Utility Impact Studies will include an average of 2-3 meetings with utility staff and the PM. Consultant should expect virtual meetings to be the standard practice with an occasional in-person meeting (but not for every Utility Impact Study and not while quarantine is still in effect).
Task 1.2 – Deliverables also reads: Other deliverables and due dates as agreed upon between PM and Consultant. This is an open ended commitment, what is the expectation of Other deliverables and due dates?
This is purposefully open ended as it depends on the findings of the Utility Impact Study. Consultant should be reviewing and potentially providing alternative pathways forward to the Utility Impact Study (Task 1.1), so additional deliverables are likely to only result if utility staff disagrees with the alternative pathways. The Consultant should expect to work closely with the PM to determine the best path forward, including additional deliverables in this case. In the case that additional deliverables are needed that go beyond the scope that the respondent outlines in the RFP response, then it will be on a Time and Materials basis under “hourly” consulting. In other words, we recognize it can be difficult to plan ahead for every possible scenario, so items that fall outside of scope will not be limited to the capped budget.
Task 1.2, page 6, reads: The consultant must attend a MINIMUM of two meetings as required by PM. Are the meetings teleconferences? MINIMUM is an open ended commitment, can it be changed to MAXIMUM?
Two meeting is the minimum required for each Utility Impact Study. However, if there are significant disagreements and/or issues found, this can escalate into additional meetings with utility staff. Similar to our response to question 1.2b, anything that goes beyond the scope will be on a Time and Materials basis under the “hourly” consulting.
Task 1.3, page 6, 1st paragraph talks about using a standardized template for the report to OPUC. Can a copy of the template be provided?
The template is being developed in coordination with OPUC and will be provided after contracting is set up. Preliminarily (but not finalized), we are thinking the template will include 4 parts: 1. Summary of the challenges; 2. Summary of the solutions and discussions with utility staff; 3. Insights into the utility process; 4. Any insights or proposals for process reform.
Task 1.3 – Deliverables reads: Report to the OPUC which summarizes the results of the review and documents utility coordination effort…. Is the intent that the report developed in Task 1.1 plus utility feedback in Task 1.2 be combined for the Task 1.3 report?
Correct, Task 1.3 is essentially summarizing all the efforts and information from Tasks 1.1 and 1.2 into a larger report.
Task 1.3 Deliverables reads: Other deliverables and due dates as agreed upon between PM and Consultant. This is an open ended commitment, what is the expectation of Other deliverables and due dates?
We expect that additional deliverables would be what is described in the 2nd paragraph under Task 1.3: “In addition to developing and delivering the report to OPUC, Consultant shall also ensure all reviewed materials and documentation of coordination with the utility will be available to OPUC and the PA Team. If Consultant does not receive at least 10 requests to review studies within the duration of the contract—including at least one study from PGE and PAC—OPUC and the PA Team may ask the consultant to review a sample of publicly posted studies and report to the Commission, in an audit-like capacity.”
We expect that additional deliverables beyond this are likely to be related to expanding upon / clarifications on what is delivered in the report to OPUC.
Task 1.4 – Deliverables reads: Bi-weekly status updates…. Is the format to be via email or teleconference?
Consultant should expect to have regular meetings with PA Team to check-in which would suffice the bi-weekly status updates (teleconference check-ins). However, there may be situations with little to report, so email would be acceptable as an update.
Task 2.1: What modeling software is needed to re-create utility analysis using the models provided by utility or third party models? CYME, PSSE, PSLF, Synergi?
This is open ended and is reliant on the Consultant’s expertise and/or recommendations. In other words, we are relying on the Consultant’s expertise to recommend what modeling software, methodology, etc.
Are all the generators proposing distribution interconnection? Or also transmission?
We anticipate that all CSP projects will propose distribution-level interconnection. CSP Projects are all Oregon-jurisdictional distribution-level generators.
Oregon Community Solar Program releases RFP for 3rd Party Interconnection Reviewer Services
Energy Solutions, in partnership with the Oregon Public Utility Commission, has released the Request for Proposal for 3rd Party Interconnection Reviewer Services for the Oregon Community Solar Program. The following is a description of the objective and purpose of the RFP, the associated deadlines, and instructions for submittal.
RFP for 3rd Party Interconnection Reviewer Services
Request for Proposal
Release date: 6/15/2020
Submission deadline: 6/30/2020
Purpose:
The purpose of the request for proposal is to hire independent third-party interconnection review services for the Oregon Community Solar Program. Energy Solutions is seeking qualified organizations capable of performing interconnection studies necessary ahead of implementing a CSP project. Most interconnection studies will consist of a review of utility system impact studies and coordination between utility engineers and CSP Project Managers (PM). However, more in-depth assistance may be required. These more comprehensive reviews will require additional analysis, including recreation of utility system studies.
The complete RFP can be found here.
Timeline:
| Q&A Deadline | June 19, 2020 |
| Q&A Responses | June 23, 2020 |
| Close RFP | June 30, 2020 |
| Select winning bid(s) | July 7, 2020 |
| Finalize contract and launch services (target date) | July 22, 2020 |
Questions should be submitted to [email protected] no later than June 19, 2020 at 5 p.m. PST with the title 3rd Party Interconnection Reviewer Services.
Final proposals should be submitted in PDF format to [email protected] no later than June 30, 2020 at 5 pm PT.
For all other non-RFP program questions, contact 1-800-481-0510 or [email protected].
COVID-19 Update
Dear stakeholders and project managers,
The Oregon Community Solar Program is working to minimize disruption to our program during the coronavirus outbreak.
We do not anticipate the current situation to broadly impact the timelines of the Oregon Community Solar Program. Oregon Public Utility Commission staff and the program administration team are working remotely on program implementation, and the Program’s call center remains open during its normal hours. All public meetings held by the Commission will be conducted remotely over the phone until further notice.
We do understand, however, that the ongoing situation will impact project development timelines and may affect a range of activities including permitting, construction, and customer outreach and engagement. As we learn more about the duration and severity of the crisis, the program administration team and OPUC staff will work with project managers to understand how projects are impacted and will explore the appropriate steps to ensure the successful rollout of the state’s community solar projects.
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns regarding the impact of the current situation on the program or on specific projects.
Thank you,
The Oregon Community Solar Program Administration Team
[email protected]
Oregon Community Solar Program Interconnection Queue Update
The Oregon Community Solar Program (CSP) interconnection implementation plans and OPUC Staff Report will be discussed at the Oregon Public Utility Commission’s Special Public Meeting on January 16, 2020. Please see meeting details here.
The OPUC Staff Report and the utility implementation plans detail the near-term implementation of the six interconnection recommendations that were adopted by the Commission in early November, including the establishment of a separate CSP interconnection queue. Generators with an existing position in the traditional serial queue may transition to the CSP interconnection queue between January 20 and January 31, 2020 and new generators may apply beginning February 3, 2020. The full Staff Report can be accessed here. Please note that interconnection requirements are subject to change based on the outcome of the Special Public Meeting and approval of the utilities’ interconnection tariffs at the February 25, 2020 Public Meeting.
As a reminder, projects that do not qualify for the designated project carve-out must complete a System Impact Study or pass a Fast Track screening process with their utility prior to applying for pre-certification on January 21, 2020. Projects that qualify for the carve-out must only provide documentation that they have paid the required interconnection study deposit.
Additionally, the Request for Information (RFI) for third-party interconnection review services is now available and responses are due no later than February 11, 2020. Potential bidders may register here and login to search for the RFI # PUC-1036-20.
PUC Approves PIM and Program Launching
Community Solar Program progresses in Oregon, PUC approves final Program Implementation Manual.
The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) met a key milestone in the Community Solar Program by approving the final Program Implementation Manual at a public meeting on December 17 in Salem. This decision allows Project Managers to prepare their program applications for submittal later this month.
Electric utilities and independent third parties, such as municipalities, homeowner associations, public agencies, community organizations, tribes, and others, are encouraged to review the updated manual on the Program Implementation Manual page to learn more about Oregon Community Solar policies.
The Program’s pre-certification application is now available online and project managers can begin submitting applications on January 21, 2020. Prospective Project Managers must register in order to begin drafting and submitting pre-certification applications for review. Please allow 5 business days to be reviewed for approval by the Program Administrator.
“The approved manual represents the culmination of many rounds of stakeholder comments and workshops, and close collaboration between PUC Staff and the Community Solar Program Administrator, Energy Solutions. This is an important milestone in the process to implement Community Solar to enable more Oregonians to access solar generation through projects of their choice.”
– Megan Decker, PUC Chair
Read the PUC’s official press release here.
Please send your Oregon Community Solar Program questions, comments and feedback to: [email protected].
Updated Launch Timeline
An updated launch timeline has been posted to our Stakeholder Engagement Website:
Webinar Reminder, PIM Timeline Update, and New Project Funding Resources Available
Program stakeholders and potential project managers should attend the upcoming PIM Overview webinar on Thursday, November 21st at 12:30 PM. During the webinar, the program administration team will go over policy changes that reflect the most recent Commission Order, updates to the PIM, and the pre-certification launch timeline. Register here for the November 21st webinar.
The PIM will be published on the Oregon Community Solar Program website and the UM 1930 docket in early December. This version will be available for public comment which can be submitted through the docket. The PIM will be reviewed at the OPUC public meeting on December 17th.
The webinar will also include information on the Energy Trust of Oregon’s new incentive offering to support early development activities of small and public/nonprofit-led projects participating in the Oregon Community Solar Program. If you have questions about the incentive, contact the Energy Trust solar program or call 1.866.368.7878.
Please send your Oregon Community Solar Program questions, comments and feedback to: [email protected].
Program Timeline Update
A revised schedule for program launch has been posted on our stakeholder engagement site. Visit the site here to view the latest timeline, and join us December 17th to discuss the Program Implementation Manual.
Updated PIM Webinar Scheduled
The Oregon Community Solar Program Administration team invites stakeholders to discuss updates to the program implementation manual (PIM) and pre-certification launch.
For an overview of the latest version of the Program Implementation Manual, register here for the webinar on November 21st at 12:30 PM. The latest version of the PIM manual will be posted in its entirety on both the UM 1930 docket and also https://orcsplaunch.wordpress.com prior to the webinar. The Oregon Public Utilities Commission staff will present the final PIM and stakeholders will have an additional opportunity to comment at a future Commission meeting.
Please send your questions, comments and feedback to: [email protected].