Navigant’s Lisa Frantzis and Shannon Graham provided insight on solar business models for utilities at this year’s Intersolar North America Conference. Their presentation provided an overview of current PV economics, the types of business models currently used, and third party offerings.
While regulated utilities are innovating in distributed solar, uncertainty around key drivers (such as RPS-related challenges and opposition from rate advocates) may dampen activity. Meanwhile, municipal utilities are expanding customer access with new approaches that allow greater consumer access to solar via community solar while minimizing perceived risks.
Non-utility and third-party companies have begun moving into residential markets and are actively providing solar leases and power purchase agreements in the residential market.