Solar Energy Planning: Step by Step

Green-minded advocates in organizations all over the nation are pushing solar electric power to control their company's energy futures and minimize their carbon footprints. But these same well-intentioned visionaries sometimes get stuck planning and selling their proposed energy strategies (i.e. solar energy plans) to executive management. In a perfect world, implementing a solar electric project is part of a larger effort in which an organization has already determined its energy use, realized efficiencies, measured its carbon footprint and instituted free medical care and weekly ice cream socials.

But we all know the world is far from perfect, and many companies just haven't yet gathered the information necessary to realize the financial and environmental benefits of renewable energy and how to bring about such a shift in operations. Every situation is specific; cost considerations, environmental goals and facility improvement options differ dramatically from company to company.

Adoption becomes much easier with a well-prepared advocate on the inside. The truth is, you may be your organization's greatest solar champion, the one best able to help fast-track your company's solar energy plan – given the right strategy for approaching your organization's energy use. Here are some tips to bring about change.

Who has a Say in your Organization's Energy Plan?

Determine the key decision-makers who will ultimately approve a solar energy plan, and gain their commitment to the process. Begin by determining who should weigh in and when. If a committee is involved, what individual has the final say? Who attends the exploratory discussions to review service providers? What are their decision criteria – are they purely financial or do environmental and public awareness factor, a well? All too often a project gets halfway towards signing on the dotted line, only to be postponed because the energy director, or CEO, or CFO, wasn't in the room and didn't green light the project. Depending on the size of the organization, this can take weeks or months. Coming up with a decision-making tree for your solar energy plan will keep the process moving along smoothly.

Create a Solar Energy Plan - Of Any Size

Creating a strategic solar energy plan should be high on the list - putting goals on paper puts a stake in the ground. Are energy usage and expense goals paramount? LEED certification points? Carbon reduction or hedges? What about creating a more comfortable and friendly work environment? Companies don't need to be Fortune 500 entities before adopting a smart solar energy plan. Start by measuring existing energy use, then consult with specialists who can provide options for efficiency and on-site generation options. Installers and managers of renewable energy projects will need to know what the energy goal is, what the existing energy costs are, and what the current tariff structures are. Your existing energy bills, or a call to your utility, can usually provide a robust summary, preferably providing electricity usage in 15-minute intervals in addition to showing the seasonality and averages of these costs.

Converting to a solar energy plan operation is competitive with grid-based electricity and an excellent hedge against future rate increases. Since costs are unpredictable, going solar can provide the assurance of predictable energy costs that are not possible otherwise.

Bringing in the Solar Energy Experts

Once the game plan is in place, and energy objectives have been are set, the a review process put is in place, organized and the you have the right people are in the room, it is it's time to meet the companies that can help you achieve your objectives. Set a schedule to review firms and create a weighted checklist to level the playing field. Treat the process as carefully as you would the hiring process of a senior executive. After all, your organization is choosing a long- term partner. In some cases, for instance with a company like Tioga Energy -- who owns and operates the project throughout its lifecycle -- you are picking a partner to work with for 20 years or more. Pick a trusted partner who will be with you the length of your solar energy plan.

Solar Energy Plan Question: To Own or Not to Own?

Every organization has resource and capital constraints, and the solar industry has adapted to market needs by providing creative means to integrate renewable energy into a facility. Solar systems don't have to be bought anymore – many solar providers will now build, own and operate systems on behalf of clients and sell them the renewable power at a competitive rate making solar energy plans much more feasible. Tioga Energy and other “owner/operators” can share in your commitment to accelerate solar, thereby offering advantages to many commercial, government organizations and non-profits who would prefer to eliminate up-front capital outlay and lower demanding operational requirements. But whatever your ultimate decision, explore your options and ask for providers to help build out your strategic energy plan and prove their long-term commitment to your energy needs.

In the end, adopting cleaner, renewable energy options can reduce long term energy costs, and prepare for a strong future. I believe in making this change happen – that's why I started Tioga Energy. I hope that you too can become empowered to lead this change in your organization.

Learn about Tioga Energy's approach to Solar Energy Plans: Power Purchase Agreements

Read more articles on Tioga's ideas for Solar Energy Plans and Systems