Browsing by Author "Chen, Gwen"

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    Lessons Learned from Third-Party Solar PPA Development: Influences, Trends, and Implications for Georgia
    (2016-04-28) Chen, Gwen; Fan, Wusi; Gao, Shuo; Peckham, Oliver
    Third-party solar power purchase agreements (PPAs) emerged in the 2000s and provided a new financing option for solar energy. Currently, third-party solar PPAs have been authorized in 25 states and DC in the U.S. and are successfully facilitating residential rooftop solar growth. Georgia recently legalized third-party solar PPAs through the Solar Power Free-Market Financing Act of 2015. This paper analyzes factors that impact third-party solar PPAs and evaluates those factors in the context of Georgia. We assessed solar resources, net metering, the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs), differentiated state-level incentives, the regulatory environment, and consumer preferences. We also considered some potential future policy and market trends, such as the Clean Power Plan and electric vehicles. Our analysis shows how regulatory supports significantly drive third-party solar PPA growth and can provide our client with an expectation of third-party solar PPA development in Georgia.