Solar Solutions Initiative
Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the Solar Solutions Initiative?

A. The Solar Solutions Initiative (SSI) is a pilot that provides incentive payments for mid-size solar projects in TVA’s Renewable Standard Offer program if the projects use local NABCEP-certified installers in the Valley region.

Q. Will there be a Solar Solutions Initiative participation limits and caps?

A. The initial pilot overlay will be limited to 20 total MW, 10 MW each year for 2012 and 2013 at different pricing levels.

Q. Do I have to participate in the Renewable Standard Offer (RSO) in order to receive the SSI incentive?

A. Yes, the Solar Solutions Initiative incentives require participation in the RSO. RSO projects may qualify for SSI if they meet all of the following criteria:

• Solar nameplate capacity must be more than 50 kilowatts (DC) and up to 1,000 kilowatts (DC) in size.
• The installation and construction of the solar project must be performed by a NABCEP-certified contractor who works in the Tennessee Valley region.

Q. Is the Solar Solutions Initiative a pilot or program?

A. The Solar Solutions Initiative is a pilot overlay to the existing Renewable Standard Offer program that supports economic development and growth. It does require participation in the RSO.

Q. How long do the SSI incentive payments last?

A. Once an eligible project begins commercially operating and generating renewable energy, the SSI incentive payments last for the first ten years only of the RSO contract term.

Q. What is the incentive level for SSI?

A. Incentive levels will be reviewed periodically for the SSI pilot. Initial incentive levels include:

Solar Solutions Initiative - Pilot Overlay - 2013 Program Capacity Offering (10 MW)
Eligible Project Size: Nameplate Capacity (kW DC)	10 Year Incentive ($/kWh)
> 50 kW, up to 1,000 kW	$0.08

Q. Does TVA receive all of the environmental attributes or renewable energy credits (RECs) for power purchased through the RSO and SSI?

A. TVA will continue to receive the renewable energy credits (RECs) for the full Renewable Standard Offer contract period.

Q. Why is it a two year pilot?

A. Solar Solutions Initiative is a pilot incentive to test the solar market as an economic development tool. As solar costs continue to decrease, fewer incentives are expected to be needed in order to assist the solar industry in becoming sustainable, while supporting significant capital investment and jobs in the region. During the two year pilot, TVA intends to measure the success through retained/added jobs as well as investment in the local solar industry, in addition to clean energy generation.

Q. How does SSI benefit the Valley’s economy?

A. The Solar Solutions Initiative is a targeted incentive that aims to support the existing local solar industry, while also serving as a recruitment tool for new industry in the Valley region, retaining and adding investment and jobs.