Helios Bay Area

CPUC Extends Time of Use Periods for School Districts and Local Governments

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) announced that it would give public school districts and local governments a chance to "grandfather" current "time of use" periods for 10 years.

Investment Tax Credit Extended

Anyone familiar with our work knows that we encourage school districts to own their renewable energy systems. Ownership provides the very best economic and environmental return to a school district.

School districts that choose not to commit their own funds (e.g. General Obligation Bond) or borrow using a tax-subsidized federal bond (CREB, QZAB) often consider acquiring solar for their schools through the use of a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). With a PPA, a third-party investor uses the district's parking lots and rooftops to install PV systems that are owned by the investor. The school district benefits by purchasing the electricity from the investor at a slightly reduced rate. Read more...

Net Energy Metering 2.0 - Update

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has issued a draft decision on Net Energy Metering (NEM). Its long-awaited decision will have only a modest impact on the economics of solar projects in California's public schools. NEM 2.0 goes into effect when the NEM 1.0 program’s installed capacity is 5% of the utility’s aggregated customer peak demand. These caps are likely to be met in 2016. Click here for more information on the PG&E cap.

You will find our summary of the NEM changes here.

Testimonials: See What Others Are Saying About Our Work

Superintendents, Facilities Directors, Parents, School Board members, and elected officials have all commented on the services that we have provided to school districts.