Austin Energy is set to launch an initiative aimed at elevating the city’s clean energy future as well as offering some passive income opportunities for commercial property owners.
In December, the utility will roll out its Solar Standard Offer program — a move to boost Austin Energy’s renewable energy capacity and provide income opportunities for local businesses.
The Solar Standard Offer program allows commercial property owners to either host solar panels on their rooftops or lease their roof space to third-party solar developers. The energy produced will be sold to Austin Energy and feed directly into the city’s renewable energy supply.
If a business is leasing out its rooftop or parking lot space, there are no upfront costs for property owners.
"The Solar Standard Offer is a game-changer," Austin Energy Solar Program Manager Tim Harvey said. "This program empowers property owners, solar developers and the Austin community to work together toward a carbon-free future. It’s a major opportunity to meet our climate goals and create long-term value for everyone involved."
Austin Energy will compensate system owners based on the energy their solar panels generate. Rates are set at $0.1124 per kWh for systems under 1 MW and $0.0841 per kWh for larger systems and reflect the cost-savings benefits for the utility by contracting with local solar providers. Rates will be adjusted every three years to ensure fair and competitive compensation.
The program kicks off in early December with specialized training sessions for solar contractors, followed by the official program application launch on Dec. 9.
