How do you secure solar power permits and incentives?

Make a power purchase agreement with reputed industry for the capacity the company can deliver. The company needs to work on getting approvals and permits from the government and authorities as a power generation provider. Use the utilities for wheeling the power from the company premises where the generation happens to the industry. Either pay the utility for wheeling or generate extra so the utility can consume. Work out the incentive sharing structure with the industry.

Understanding local codes and regulations is essential but only one dimension of RES project planning. Strategic consideration of jurisdiction-specific incentives, tax credits, and PPAs can offer a competitive advantage. Utility engagement should extend beyond mere approval to encompass grid interconnection requirements and tariff impacts on ROI. Community and stakeholder engagement is often overlooked but can facilitate smoother approvals and additional project support. Regulatory due diligence isn't just a compliance requirement; it's an opportunity for strategic positioning. Skillful navigation of these factors can accelerate project timelines and positively impact profitability.

Here in Alberta, the contractor does all the permit and funding applications along with the interconnection agreement with a few signatures from the client.

Australia;New Zealand and Singapore. The contractors and stakeholders certifying [1st] the location whether it is a residential or commercial for solar project. Roof structure to inspected and measured for solar panels. [2nd] submit the signed agreement for the solar project with shop drawing to the power authorities in order to approve for synchronization [3rd] submits all required documentation to the local government and power supply firm. [4] all stakeholders to carry out their relevant jobs..i.e. electrician to run cables. carpenter to fix frame. The contractor and project owner pay each stakeholder their required payment upon completion of the projects. Therefor solar power project is a process .. not a single task.

Don't feed in - go the island approach with public grid-in direction still possible - nobody can ask you for permits, if you try to produce for your own consumption only - in a free world - works in Africa with utilities trying to shut down private production - works in Germany, where you have to go through a paper war for max. 600Wp installations.

For a corporate or industrial considering On-site solar, the greatest incentives remain the ITC (Investment Tax Credit) and the IRA's (Inflation Reduction Act) Energy Community bonus adders. The ITC has the standard 30% credit, while the Energy Community credit could add an additional 10% of tax credits if the project is located within a coal closure or a high unemployment area. The caveat remains that unemployment data changes from year to year. States that have high REC values like NJ, IL, and MA will push the costs of a PPA down. If using capital, the RECs can be arbitraged and replaced for a lower price REC, like a Green-E. How this affects a project's additionality has been disputed.

ROI's are important for any company pursuing solar. Net Metering helps increase the ROI if the system is sized in a way that results in over-production in which the electricity is fed back into the grid. This is a common occurrence. The key consideration is location. Not every state has equal net metering laws. Regions like TVA have avoided cost net metering. This means any excess generated power is credited at the utilities cost of production. Many times this is pennies on the dollar. Some states require limitations on a system's size, regardless of your facility's ability to consume the production. BESS systems could curtail this cost, but discussion internally on priorities and with the developer will help provide the right solution.

A reputable developer should include an O&M cost within a PPA contract. Since the developer is the owner of the system and payment is made through electrical production, they are incentivized to fix problems. Additionally, most PPA contracts will have clauses built in for downtime. If pursuing ownership through capex, a developer will commonly provide a yearly fixed fee for O&M. Of course, every contract is different, and these questions will be answered as progress is made in the negotiation phase.

A common misconception is on-site solar is best where the sun shines the most (the southwest). Unfortunately, your facility's location(s) is the largest factor in determining if the financials that are necessary for internal approval are met. Regulated electricity markets, state incentives, REC values, and current costs are all factors to consider. If you are a company that's seeking onsite solar, or any distributed generation, The Zeigo Network can help you along this process. Registration and access is free for corporates and industrials. You'll have access to tools for decarbonization, webinars, articles, events, and a growing network of over 450 like-minded companies and solution providers to help your decarbonization journey.