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have much impact on demand charges as community solar systems are not <br /> measuring demand against production, and if impugning demand in an applicable <br /> retail rate, the business gets credit on a per KW basis, which was much more <br /> attractive for commercial versus residential customers, and gave them an <br /> advantage. <br /> Public Comment <br /> Sara Barsel (and Randy Neprash), 1276 Eldridge Avenue <br /> Ms. Barsel asked if a municipal facility installed solar on their roof, would it be <br /> considered commercial or a different category. <br /> Mr. Ross responded that it would depend on which of the different roles came <br /> into play for developing a community solar system,just like other types of <br /> developer as previously referenced: whether the City serves as the developer, <br /> builder, financier, customer, or host; but clarified that the role was defined by <br /> subscriber not by the location of the system. <br /> At the request of Mr. Schwartz, Mr. Ross confirmed that, under the tariff, <br /> different rates applied depending on the type of subscriber on the same system, <br /> with a minimum purchase required under State law per subscriber, theoretically <br /> equivalent to one solar panel per customer, and treated as if on your roof whether <br /> you were a commercial or residential subscriber. <br /> At the request of Member Seigler, Mr. Ross clarified that the City could serve in a <br /> regulatory role if private individuals or companies (e.g. developers) in the <br /> community chose to install solar systems without City involvement, or the City <br /> could be more involved to make things more streamlined, or any other role as <br /> previously identified. As noted by Member Seigler, if the City did not become <br /> involved and allowed solar installations, they could essentially be giving away an <br /> asset if a system was installed on their roof. However, as noted by Mr. Schwartz, <br /> under that scenario, there would also be no cost to the City except for installing <br /> the system, with Mr. Ross pointing out that the onus of anything on the solar <br /> system would require a subscription manager or an agreement put in place for <br /> roof maintenance or replacement (e.g. depreciation and tax credits going directly <br /> to the developer), but providing a revenue stream for the City as host. <br /> Member Seigler questioned if it would be prudent for the City to give a public <br /> building roof away, as a potential asset, if the private developer would make a <br /> profit from it versus the City. <br /> With the entire solar energy field forging new ground, Mr. Ross noted the many <br /> options available, but the need for a process and established standards for <br /> community solar systems, as not only local vendors and in-state developers, but <br /> vendors from other states and/or countries, tapping into this opportunity. While <br /> many of those companies have experience installing the solar systems, Mr. Ross <br /> opined that the other trick was to establish how well the solar systems would be <br /> Page 5 of 15 <br />