The 2 main components to a proper Solar Feasibility Study are an experienced evaluation team and a cohesive study framework. The evaluation team should include team members that have expertise in the following fields as it relates to renewable energy: implementation techniques (best practices), electricity, structural engineering, building codes and regulations, incentive programs, renewable technologies and an understanding of the evolving renewable finance space.

In order to explain what a cohesive study framework looks like, I will take a moment to describe how a Feasibility Study is conducted and what deliverables can be expected.

Site Survey - This is generally conducted by a renewable energy practitioner and may include a structural engineer. The site survey involves a physical inspection of the company property under consideration along with interviews with key company personnel. Some of the main tasks conducted are:

• Inspection and location of installed energy equipment

• Analysis of historical energy usage patterns and costs

• Analysis of future energy usage (projected)

• Inspection of roof structures of buildings to determine maximum solar capacity

• Inspection of additional property to determine other options such as: geothermal, ground mounted solar, parking lot solar awnings, etc.

• Shading analysis at possible solar sites for use in determining future ballpark solar production

• Utility interconnection study

• Location of possible system components placement: inverters, conduit and wiring, cutoff switches, etc.

It is important that the individuals conducting the site survey meet with the customer’s facility manager (and any other company officers who are involved in the project) to discuss any concerns regarding the location(s) of renewable equipment, specific energy requirements relating to the company’s core product or service, aesthetics, timing, payback expectations, tax situation, regulatory mandates, budget constraints and possible work interruptions during installation(s).

Analysis / Recommendations / Report Creation - Taking the results of the site survey and additional investigations (zoning restrictions, local building permit requirements, specific incentives available, etc.), the renewable energy practitioner now analyzes all of the data gathered, puts together a list of energy implementation possibilities and begins to narrow these down to concrete recommendations. It is important that the possibilities and recommendations be discussed with the client’s decision making team before the final report is created. The report itself should include:

• The company’s current & projected energy usage

• Energy related risks

• Potential energy efficiency and renewable energy projects

• Recommendations

• Analysis of the risk / reward of current renewable energy and energy efficiency incentives available

• Payback scenario analysis

• Life cycle cost analysis

• Financing options analysis

Many of the benefits of a Feasibility Study should be obvious at this stage. First and foremost the company obtains a realistic blueprint for reducing their energy footprint, reducing their energy costs and reducing their energy risk. Without this document, written by a competent outside practitioner, less than optimal projects may be implemented. In some cases a market based approach is less expensive than implementing a physical project.

Maximize Your Energy Dollars - A top notch renewable energy practitioner keeps up with the national / state / local / utility energy legislation, rules, incentives and tax implications and can leverage this knowledge to find substantial cost savings and revenue opportunities. Hiring a top notch renewable energy practitioner insures that your company is not leaving money on the table.

Minimize Your Energy Risk - A top notch renewable energy practitioner keeps up with the latest technologies and has hands on experience with many of them. Their expertise and experience will ensure the proper technology fit resulting in seamless integration, optimized energy output and quality, minimized ongoing maintenance and compliance with current and future energy / carbon regulations.

Project Credibility - Internal energy audits and studies conducted by company personnel can take months and even years to come together. Most study participants are not qualified to conduct a detailed study and must do preliminary research before even beginning the actual study. In addition, those chosen often must conduct the study on a part time basis so that it does not impact their normal job requirements. When the final study is complete, the recommendations are often watered down in order to minimize any risk to the study team members. Worse still, the final report and recommendations are most often ignored by the actual decision makers because the study team lacks the required expertise and credibility and cannot back up their recommendations. A proper Feasibility Study conducted by a top notch renewable energy practitioner eliminates this credibility gap, takes away the decision risk and provides clear documentation for any future audits (Dept. of Energy, Utility, Board, IRS, etc.).

One thing is certain in today’s energy environment, companies must be proactive in assessing and managing their energy risk. Climate Change legislation and / or a national RPS standard is likely in the near future. Fossil fuel prices are trending higher and utility rates will continue to climb due to these higher fuel costs, infrastructure upgrades, smart grid implementation and phased in RPS standards. Lenders are now penalizing companies with increased interest charges for having high energy risks and / or high greenhouse gas footprints. Pension funds are allocating increasing amounts of money into “Sustainable” and “Green” companies as they realize that these companies tend to outperform companies adhering to the old energy economy. Competitors are managing their energy more effectively and efficiently allowing them to lower prices while maintaining profit margins. The best way to combat and take advantage of these trends is to conduct a proper Feasibility Study and then implement as many of the recommendations as possible.