Report on the Opportunities and Challenges for Small Businesses to Access Solar
We’re pleased to share Advancing Small Business Solar Equity: Final Technical Insights Report. This report was co-authored by Lake Street Council, Great Plains Institute, and William Weber Consulting, with contributions from the Neighborhood Development Center and Northside Economic Opportunities Network.
The Advancing Small Business Solar Equity: Final Technical Insights Report represents the culmination of two years of Lake Street Council’s participation in Round 3 of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Solar Energy Innovation Network (SEIN).
SEIN Round 3, titled “Equitable Solar in Underserved Communities,” supported eight underserved communities across the United States in exploring new approaches to the equitable adoption of solar energy in residential and commercial-scale settings and in confronting the solar barriers they face and unlocking the solar benefits most relevant to their contexts. The team led by Lake Street Council was one of four teams selected to support solar access for commercial entities.
See below for links to the report and the associated appendices, which elaborate on elements of this report in extensive detail.
Final Technical Insights Report
The Final Technical Insights Report captures the key research findings and insights of the Advancing Small Business Solar Equity team. The report is organized into the following sections:
Section 1 introduces the project, including its goals, team members, and the process we used to gather information and reach outcomes.
Section 2 discusses our research process and findings.
Section 3 shares our core proposed program design concept, the Solar Hub Network.
Section 4 lays out an agenda for our team to continue advancing small business solar equity.
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View Appendix A
The Advancing Small Business Solar Equity team used a human-centered design approach to understand the Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC)- and immigrant-owned small business lived experience. The “Interview Guide” summarizes this process and includes the questionnaires used with small businesses, solar installers, and local solar experts. -
View Appendix B
The “Community and Partner Profiles Report” outlines the history, perspective, and identity of the Lake Street, West Broadway, and University-Midway corridors, as well as the project partner community-based organizations (CBOs). The report also includes key learnings from the interviews conducted with small businesses. -
The “Solar Procurement Options Brief” explores the options available to small businesses to adopt rooftop solar. They include direct ownership and investor options, including power purchase agreements (PPAs) and community solar gardens (CSGs). A solar co-op model is also included as an alternative ownership structure to private investor-driven development.
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The “Incentive Options Brief” summarizes the incentives available to small businesses in the Twin Cities area. The brief provides key information about federal, state, city, and utility-level incentive programs and highlights their relevance to small business owners in the corridors.
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The “Financing Options Brief” summarizes loans available to small business owners seeking direct pay options for rooftop solar installations. It covers a variety of funding limits and terms that may be applicable based on the size and cost of the solar array, business circumstances, project timelines, and expectations for return on investment.
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The “Solar Installers Brief” captures key themes and learnings from the team’s interviews with local installers who have experience working in the Twin Cities. The brief provides insight into the delivery side of the solar procurement and installation process.
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The “Solar Technical Assistance Process” is a step-by-step outline of the program participants’ roles, key decision points, technical assistance, and tools needed to guide a small business through the procurement process for solar.
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The “Template for Training CBOs on Solar” outlines a draft training program to prepare community-based organizations to provide solar-related technical assistance to the businesses that they serve. Topics covered include solar photovoltaic systems, an introduction to key organizations and resources, available solar and financial incentives and programs, and the steps needed to assist a business in learning about, exploring, and installing solar.
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The “Solar Installer List” is a curated directory of solar installers serving the Twin Cities. The document includes the criteria considered for a solar installer’s inclusion on the list.