At Accelerator, the team started by prototyping several potential business models that enable disadvantaged communities to have access to distributed energy resources while providing economic development to the community. The team then created the straw man of the potential business model for the North Franklin community that would enable the community to have access to both solar and demand-side measures, such as energy efficiency and demand response. They identified potential risks with the proposed model that would need to be further assessed after the event.

Finally, the team crafted an overall communications strategy for marketing the project to their respective organizations to get buy-in and support.

Going forward, the team will clarify project financials for development and ownership of the community solar system to determine whether the straw man model is economically viable. In parallel, the team will conduct additional analysis to better understand and meet the needs of customers and the distribution grid in the North Franklin neighborhood and model the expected bill and grid impacts from installing a mix of Distributed Energy Resources in customers’ homes. SMUD’s legal team will review the proposal before a formal pitch to SMUD executives for approval of the North Franklin Community Energy demonstration project.