Power Up
CSG
Community Solar Garden
Central solar facility is constructed for multiple customers, who each subscribe to a portion of the project
Net Metering
Billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid
Investment Tax Credit
A dollar for dollar reduction in the income taxes that a person or company claiming the credit would otherwise pay the federal government
What percentage of Xcel Energy’s power is produced by solar today?
3%
In what state or states can community solar subscriber’s absorb the entire output of a CSG?
Maine
O and M
Operations and Maintenance
in charge of training, cleaning, work practices, and surveillance of the gardens
Mechanical Completion
Point in the project when construction is complete and subsystems are ready to be handed over to the commissioning team
How many Watts (W) is in a Giga Watt (GW)?
1 billion watts
How many megawatts of energy from community solar gardens is produced in Minnesota ?
860 megawatts of community solar gardens
What benefits do our subscribers have when they join a community solar project?
Monthly electrical savings
Ability to support the reduction of CO2 emissions
Going solar without having to invest any money
MIPA
Member interest purchase agreement
A way to express ownership in an LLC
Substantial Completion
The project, or a portion of the project, is fit for its intended use
How much community solar was installed in the United States in 2022?
20.2 GW
Approximately 30% of the solar energy that hits the earth is reflected back to space, what happens to the other 70%?
The other 70% is absorbed by clouds, oceans and land masses.
True or False
In the Maine Net Energy Billing Program, small general service accounts can take part both the kWh Credit Program and Tariff Rate Program.
TRUE
COD
Commercial Operation Date
The date under a long term power purchase agreement and the facility starts to generate power to earn revenue
Permission to Operate
The final step in the interconnection process, where you receive approval from the utility to activate your solar system and begin generating electricity
What characteristic in a solar project has more impact on profitability?
Yield of the project as it impacts long-term cashflows for revenue
Which entity tracks the renewable energy certificates in Minnesota that we produce?
The Midwest Renewable Energy Tracking System.
How much solar energy per square foot hits the earth every year?
342 watts of solar energy fall upon every square meter of earth every year
EPC
Engineering, Procurement, and Construction
A solar company that provides Engineering, Procurement, and Construction of a full solar system
Notice to Proceed
Written Notice to Proceed is issued to the building party to commence the work as stated in the agreement
What is today’s US central bank interest rate?
5.25% (highest in 16 years)
Photovoltaics that can follow the sun can increase the solar energy potential in what areas?
Areas that are farthest from the equator
Which country uses the most solar energy?
China