Share your ideas on community solar competition design

 The Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative plans to hold a competition to develop best practices for community solar. It is looking to prospective competition participants for feedback on how best to design it.
The program has released a request for information (RFI), due August 2. The RFI lays out a skeleton of how the competition may look. It seeks advice on the competition prize structure, timeline and performance metrics. The competition is scheduled for a 12-month time period in which competitors will work to develop and complete a community solar program.  The RFI envisions a broad spectrum of competitors, from government agencies and community groups to for profit companies that serve low-income individuals.

The RFI outlines a three-step process for competitors.

Step one requires participants to submit a three-minute video and a three-page application. SunShot looks to select up to 100 teams to participate in the competition. It plans to offer cash prizes and technical assistance for these selected competitors.

In step two, the teams develop their projects. At the end of the 12-month period, step three, teams must submit a three-minute video to demonstrate their results.

SunShot will choose the winners in a variety of different categories, including most customer value, best community engagement approach, and most kW installed. Winners will receive prizes ranging from $20,000 to $50,000.

For more information, email: CommunitySolarRFI@EE.DOE.Gov.