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Title: Financing Solar Energy Systems with Energy Savings Performance Contracts in the Federal Sector: Results of a Survey on Barriers

Abstract

This report summarizes the findings of an investigation into financing solar energy systems for the Federal sector. The objectives of the investigation were (1) to identify the barriers that impede companies from using Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs) to develop solar energy projects for Federal facilities, and (2) to clarify the impacts of Federal contracting requirements on energy service companies' use of ESPCs. Twenty-four representatives of energy service companies agreed to be interviewed. Their responses indicate that these are the primary barriers to greater use of ESPCs: the relatively long payback periods for investments in solar technologies; the length of the ESPC process; the cost of certain contractual requirements regarding wages and financing; and a lack of knowledge about the actual cost and reliability of solar systems. The report proposes a number of actions the government could take to remove these barriers, including (1) streamlining and shortening the ESPC process and (2) doing more to inform both government agencies and energy service companies about the costs and benefits of solar systems.

Authors:
;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
US Department of Energy (US)
OSTI Identifier:
12164
Report Number(s):
NREL/SR-710-26700
TRN: US200312%%161
DOE Contract Number:  
AC36-99GO10337
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Supercedes report DE00012164; PBD: 17 Aug 1999; PBD: 17 Aug 1999
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
14 SOLAR ENERGY; FINANCING; PAYBACK PERIOD; PERFORMANCE; RELIABILITY; SOLAR ENERGY; SOLAR SYSTEM; WAGES; BUILDINGS; FEDERAL BUILDINGS; ENERGY SERVICES; PERFORMANCE CONTRACTS

Citation Formats

Gee, R C, and LaPorta, C. Financing Solar Energy Systems with Energy Savings Performance Contracts in the Federal Sector: Results of a Survey on Barriers. United States: N. p., 1999. Web. doi:10.2172/12164.
Gee, R C, & LaPorta, C. Financing Solar Energy Systems with Energy Savings Performance Contracts in the Federal Sector: Results of a Survey on Barriers. United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/12164
Gee, R C, and LaPorta, C. 1999. "Financing Solar Energy Systems with Energy Savings Performance Contracts in the Federal Sector: Results of a Survey on Barriers". United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/12164. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/12164.
@article{osti_12164,
title = {Financing Solar Energy Systems with Energy Savings Performance Contracts in the Federal Sector: Results of a Survey on Barriers},
author = {Gee, R C and LaPorta, C},
abstractNote = {This report summarizes the findings of an investigation into financing solar energy systems for the Federal sector. The objectives of the investigation were (1) to identify the barriers that impede companies from using Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs) to develop solar energy projects for Federal facilities, and (2) to clarify the impacts of Federal contracting requirements on energy service companies' use of ESPCs. Twenty-four representatives of energy service companies agreed to be interviewed. Their responses indicate that these are the primary barriers to greater use of ESPCs: the relatively long payback periods for investments in solar technologies; the length of the ESPC process; the cost of certain contractual requirements regarding wages and financing; and a lack of knowledge about the actual cost and reliability of solar systems. The report proposes a number of actions the government could take to remove these barriers, including (1) streamlining and shortening the ESPC process and (2) doing more to inform both government agencies and energy service companies about the costs and benefits of solar systems.},
doi = {10.2172/12164},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/12164}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Aug 17 00:00:00 EDT 1999},
month = {Tue Aug 17 00:00:00 EDT 1999}
}