Community Solar

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UTILITY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS
GREEN POWER PROGRAMS
GREEN TARIFFS
RENEWABLE NATURAL GAS

Making solar accessible to all

Solar is a renewable energy resource that is becoming increasingly cost-effective to deploy at almost any scale. Within the last 10 years this has led to a wide variety of solar programs and products offered by utilities – from small-scale community installations to large-scale solar tariffs. With this growth trend and favorable costs, it is understandable why so many utilities are offering community solar programs to their residential and business customers. 

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UTILITY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS
GREEN POWER PROGRAMS
GREEN TARIFFS
RENEWABLE NATURAL GAS

HOW WE HELP

3Degrees partners with utilities to launch and maintain successful community solar programs nationwide. To date, we’ve provided program design, program implementation, and marketing and outreach services to support the enrollment of more than 10,000 customers in these programs.

Product & Program Design

program factorsThe success of a community solar program depends on sound program design. 3Degrees works with utilities to design programs that provide maximum value for both utilities and customers, advising on critical factors such as:

  • Facility sizing and location
  • Accurate sales and subscription forecasting, using proprietary analytics and scenario modeling
  • Designing rate & credit structures
  • Risk mitigation strategies

Program Strategy

CaseStudy-GeorgiaPower

Once a community solar program is up and running, it may sell out quickly — prompting interest in scaling the current model — or it may need extra assistance to reach the desired enrollment target. Either way, 3Degrees can help. 

CASE STUDY: GEORGIA POWER

In 2018, Georgia Power launched its Community Solar program; the following year, the utility contracted 3Degrees to assess whether its current strategy would achieve program sell out. 3Degrees analyzed Georgia Power’s customer base, created unique customer segments and profiles for those most likely to participate in the program, and recommended a strategy for the utility to achieve its goals of selling out ahead of schedule and within budget.

Marketing and Outreach

CaseStudy-PSE3Degrees has deep expertise developing effective marketing and outreach strategies that align with our utility partners’ goals and achieve sell out for community solar programs across the country.

CASE STUDY: PSE

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) launched its first community solar program, Solar Choice, in 2017. PSE contracted 3Degrees to craft messaging and design an integrated community solar marketing strategy that included direct mail, email, and outreach campaigns. The program was immediately successful, selling out capacity within six months of its launch and has since expanded from 1670 participants to 4953.

“For any utility who is thinking about offering a Community Solar program, I would highly recommend partnering with 3Degrees. Their experienced team can guide you through all phases of the customer journey, from creating visibility for the program to customer acquisition and retention. We couldn’t have done it without them.”

— Program Manager, Midwestern Investor-Owned Utility

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