FEMP operates within the US Department of Energy to help federal energy managers identify and procure the most cost-effective passive solar, photovoltaic, solar thermal and otherwise energy-saving projects. FEMP provides trainings, on-site audits, design assistance and financing. FEMP's assistance is driven by President Clinton's Executive Order 12902 which directs federal agencies to "utilize passive solar design and adopt active solar technologies where they are cost effective" in new construction (Sec. 306 - Paragraph 4).
FEMP frequently offers two training courses on using solar energy: "Implementing Renewable Energy Projects" and "Designing Low Energy Buildings." For More Info: (800) 363-3732.
To help agencies assess the potential for using solar energy, FEMP has developed a software program called the Federal Energy Screening Assistant (FRESCA). This tool assesses the opportunities for using solar and other forms of renewable energy at a facility. It is free to anyone interested. FEMP helps federal agencies use it as part of an on-site audit.
FEMP also helps federal agencies with all the solar design and technical details required to make a project happen. This assistance is usually handled through the PV and Solar Thermal Design Assistance Centers based at Sandia National Laboratories (see below). For More Info: FEMP can be reached through the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse at: (800) 363-3732. FEMP can be reached directly by fax: (202) 586-3000 ; E-mail: FEMP@tmn.com.
PV DESIGN ASSISTANCE CENTER (PVDAC)
The Photovoltaic Design Assistance Center has been involved in all aspects of photovoltaic system design, procurement, installation and evaluation since 1984. The Center was created as part of the U.S. Department of Energy's National Photovoltaic Program and is operated by Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico. PVDAC makes free assistance available to federal, state and local and agencies, utilities, designers and architects. How PVDAC can help depends on the characteristics of the project under consideration. Forms of assistance include helping prepare requests for proposals, reviewing PV system designs and analyzing the appropriateness of using PVs for a particular application. PVDAC also distributes several comprehensive and easy-to-follow publications that guide readers through PV design and maintenance. For More Info: PVDAC, Sandia National Laboratories, PO Box 5800, Albuquerque, NM 87185. Mike Thomas: (505) 844-1548. Hal Post: (505) 844-2154; Fax: (505) 844-6541. Publications: (505) 844-3698; E-mail: jtmori@sandia.gov.
SOLAR THERMAL DESIGN ASSISTANCE CENTER (STDAC)
The Solar Thermal Design Assistance Center is administered by Sandia as part of the DOE's Solar Process Heat Program. STDAC makes a host of technical services available to prospective and actual users of water heating and other solar thermal systems. Working in partnership with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), STDAC can help buyers (1) become more familiar with existing and developing solar thermal systems, (2) obtain unbiased information about whether specific solar applications make sense economically and technically, and (3) use expert assistance to plan, design and implement solar thermal projects. Many of these services are free. The program also makes cost-sharing funds available for qualifying new systems and retrofits. For More Info: David Menicucci, STDAC, Sandia National Laboratories, PO Box 5800, Albuquerque, NM 87185; (505) 844-3077; Fax: (505) 845-9500; E-mail: dmenicucci@sandia.gov.
STATE UTILITIES
In Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico, utilities are required to provide any off-grid customer who requests a line extension with information comparing the costs of line extensions and PV systems.
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
Local chapters of the Solar Energy Industries Association and the American Solar Energy Society can offer technical assistance and guidance for potential solar projects. (see "Additional Resources," p. 28.). Your local state energy office might also be a good information resource.
FEMP'S FEDERAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY FUND (FEEF)
The Federal Energy Efficiency Fund provides grants to federal agencies to implement energy-saving projects. The fund is designed to help federal agencies meet the requirements of Executive Order 12902 and the energy requirements of the National Energy Conservation Policy Act (NECPA). Solar projects are strongly encouraged. Funding is only available for those projects that earn net savings in ten years or fewer. FEMP requires applicants to use the National Institute of Standards and Technology's Building Life-Cycle Cost (BLCC) software which factors in savings that accrue from avoided pollution costs. For More Info: John Archibald, Office of Federal Energy Management Programs, EE-90, US DOE, 5E-080, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20585; (202) 586-1613; Fax: (202) 586-3000. For information about BLCC software: Patricia Plympton, National Renewable Energy Laboratory: 409 12th Street, SW, Suite 710, Washington, DC 20024-2125; (202) 651-7540; Fax: (202) 651-7501.
ENERGY SAVINGS PERFORMANCE CONTRACTING
Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC) is a contracting agreement that enables agencies and institutions to implement energy-saving projects without having to make hefty up-front investments. The contractor, or other potential partners such as venture capitalists, "green" investors, state energy offices or utilities, own the energy system and incur all costs involved -- including design, installation, startup/testing, operations and maintenance -- in exchange for a share of any energy cost savings. The contractor recovers its investment and ultimately earns a profit by charging the institution for the supplied energy at a rate below what energy from a conventional system would cost. For example, if ESPC was used to replace an electric water heater with a solar hot water system at a public hospital, the hospital would just pay for solar-heated water, at a fraction of what it would otherwise pay for electrically-heated water.
The Energy Policy Act (EPACT) of 1992 directs the DOE to bring ESPC into the mainstream of federal procurement practices. In April 1995, DOE and FEMP published a notice of final rulemaking for the use of ESPC by federal agencies. The notice covers the topics of qualified contractor lists, procedures and methods to select, monitor and terminate contracts, and substitute regulations for certain provisions in the Federal Acquisition Regulation that are inconsistent with EPSC. The new regulation encourages federal agencies to use ESPC. FEMP has also developed model ESPC solicitations, a how-to manual and two workshops on ESPC. These will help state and local agencies, as well as federal agencies.
As we reported earlier, several state facilities have used ESPC to fund solar energy projects. This year, the Federal Bureau of Prisons entered the first federal ESPC with a contractor for a hot water system at a Federal Correctional Institution near Phoenix, Arizona. The facility's utility bills will be reduced by approximately $90,000 in the first year of the 20-year contract.
For More Info on upcoming ESCP workshops: FEMP: (202) 737-1911; Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse: (800) 363-3732.
UTILITY DEMAND SIDE MANAGEMENT REBATE PROGRAMS
Many utilities offer rebates and other financial incentives for energy
conservation programs to help smooth out energy demand. Historically, many
solar energy projects have qualified. For example, an aggressive incentive
package was recently approved by the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission that
makes rebates and performance contract arrangements available to
government
agencies interested in installing solar-powered water heaters, street lights
and other energy-saving technologies. Given that go-ahead, the Hawaii
Electric Light Company, the state's largest electric utility, is now offering:
(1) a Residential New Construction Program which contributes up to $1,500
toward the cost of a solar water heater installed into a new
housing unit
(military and other government housing units
qualify); (2) a Residential
Efficient Water Heater Program which offers customers up to $800 toward the
cost of retrofitting an existing housing unit with a solar water heater; (3) a
Commercial and Industrial Customized Rebate Program for larger facilities such
as schools and hospitals; and (4) a Performance Contracting Program. For
More Info: Keith Block, Program Manager, Hawaii Electric Light Co., PO Box
2750, Honolulu, HI 98640-0001; (808) 543-4792; Fax: (808) 543-4722; E-mail:
kblock@hei.com.
Christy Herig at NREL has recently compiled a list of other utility rebate programs: (303) 384-6546; Fax: (303) 384-6490; E-mail: herigc@tcplink.nrel.gov. You can also contact your local utility directly for more information about local opportunities. Finally, FEMP helps federal agencies identify and take advantage of appropriate programs (see contact information above).
STATE RENEWABLE ENERGY FUNDS AND INCENTIVES
As of April 1995, according to research compiled by Public Citizen's Critical Mass Energy Project, 16 states provide financial grants for the construction of renewable energy projects (CA, HI, IL, KS, KY, LA, MA, MN, NE, NH, PA, SC, TX, VT, WI, and WY) and 17 states offer loans for renewable energy projects (AK, AL, AZ, CA, IA, ID, MI, MO, MS, NE, NH, NY, OR, SD, TN, VA, and WA).
To learn more about these state programs, contact your state energy office. Larry Shirley, Director of the North Carolina Solar Center, is also a good resource for information on the latest state renewable energy incentive programs. He has developed a National Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy that breaks down these programs by state. He can be reached at the North Carolina Solar Center, Box 7401, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7401; (919) 515-6366; Fax: (919) 515-5778; E-mail: larry_shirley@ncsu.edu.