Commercial Electric Tariffs: Impacts on Solar
About this course
In this quick but critically important course, HeatSpring instructor Matt McNearney uses his real-world commercial solar development experience to explain key concepts like demand charges, straight usage, and time of use tariffs. This knowledge is then applied to two case studies that show the differences between commercial rate structures and the varied impacts that each can have on solar PV systems.
This course is a must for anyone working in commercial solar sales and development.
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Course outline
5 modules • 15 assignments • 1:07 hours of video lectures
Welcome • 2 assignments
Orientation Materials
This course is self-paced, so you don’t need to be logged in at any specific time. You can get started immediately after you enroll and the course materials will remain in your account with minimum guaranteed access for 12 months (1 year) after enrollment.
- Set up email notifications and your student profile
- Introduce yourself on the discussion board
Module 1 • 1 assignments
Overview & PV System Details
Provides an overview of the three commercial tariffs that will be presented and the PV system that will be used to demonstrate the impacts of those tariffs.
- Overview and PV System (04:54 minutes)
Module 2 • 2 assignments
Demand Charges
Explains demand charges, including how they set and the limited impact that solar has on them. Includes pulling key data from a monthly billing statement and how to apply a simple financial analysis that emphasizes annual value and payback period, which is well suited for a relatively small project.
- Demand Charges (20:28 minutes)
- Spreadsheet: Commercial Tariffs Financial Analysis (.xlsx)
Module 3 • 3 assignments
Straight Usage & Time of Use
Shows how alternative commercial tariffs based on straight usage and time of use would affect our case-study PV system. It goes on to present a side-by-side comparison of the three commercial tariffs and walks you through the decision made by the client.
- Straight Usage (03:04 minutes)
- Time of Use (07:31 minutes)
- Comparing the Tariffs (01:58 minutes)
Module 4 • 1 assignments
Case Study 2: ABC Insurance
Shows how the tariffs would affect a larger PV project, including the advantage of using additional financial metrics such as Return on Investment and Internal Rate of Return to determine a project's viability. Also emphasizes potential ideas for how to approach a client whose financial return on their solar investment may seem low.
- Case Study 2_ABC Insurance (19:52 minutes)
Module 5 • 2 assignments
XYZ Revisited & Wrap-Up
Takes a second look at the XYZ Consultants project to see how the additional financial metrics used for the ABC Insurance project might have changed how the proposal would have been presented. It then wraps up the course by highlighting the key points that we covered on the impacts that commercial electric tariffs have on PV systems. The module concludes by showing how all clients, regardless of their tariff, can be considered good solar candidates.
- XYZ Revisited (02:44 minutes)
- Course Wrap-Up (06:34 minutes)
Conclusion • 4 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources
This is our last module but you still have access to the all of course materials for 12 months (1 year), so keep working and you'll be able to complete the course at your own pace. After your year of access expires you can optionally extend access with a HeatSpring Membership. Enjoy the course and keep in touch!
- 1 Year of Access to Course Materials
- Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
- Consider Joining as a HeatSpring Member
- Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate
Continuing Education Units
Approved for the following CEUs
Approved NABCEP CEU Hours
| NABCEP Credential | Advanced Hours for Exam | Recertification CEU Hours | NEC | JTA | RE Elective | Building or Fire Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Instructor
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Over the past 6 years, Matt McNearney has developed over 35.3 MW of solar across community solar gardens, commercial rooftops, multifamily dwellings, and residential homes. Prior to entering the solar industry, he spent over 25 years developing books and software in the renewable energy, telecommunications, and educational markets. He currently serves on the Energy... Learn more
