Jul 17, 2021 | Uncategorized
Step 4.1 “Inverter Information” This step is intended to capture the online monitoring available for the system and provide access to Carbon Solutions. Most often this is inverter level data, but online monitoring access to meter level data is acceptable as well. This blog post will cover the options available to provide access, additional information about filling the step out, and more general information about how to grant access based on the online monitoring site. This access is used for SREC generation purposes, but if provided is often used to provide additional information and photos for applications as needed. This section can be filled out in three different ways: Granted Access to Carbon Solutions: this means you have provided permissions to an account that we already have, usually contact@carbonsolutionsgroup.com. This is our preferred method.Username and Password: If granting access is unavailable, or you are unable to provide us access, you can provide customer’s credentials so that we can directly access. Public Link: This is a link to the system that does not require any credentials and provides access to no other systems. We see this most often with Egauge or SunPower. Filling Out Step 4.1 Most of the information requested on each submission is intended to be straightforward, but the “System ID” for SolarEdge or Enphase may be difficult to locate. This is found in the URL when viewing the site. If you are unable to view the site URL, but know the system name, please input the system name and enter 999999 for the System ID, as it is a required field. How to Grant Access If you have...
Jan 14, 2021 | Uncategorized
As of the start of 2021 all system sizes and categories for the Illinois Adjustable Block Program are currently full and newly submitted projects will be added to the waitlist. How does the waitlist work? When a project is added to the waitlist it gets a waitlist number. This number stays the same the entire time a project is on the waitlist. Think of it like the number you pull at the deli counter. If you have waitlist number 100, you will keep that number as the waitlist progresses. Projects are selected off of the waitlist starting at 1 then counting up until all projects are selected. For more general information please see the ABP’s post on block closing. Were is the waitlist currently? Each project category (size and group) has its own waitlist. Please view the links below to download a spreadsheet showing the current waitlists for each. These links redirect and download from the ABP Website. Group A – Projects located in the service territories of Ameren Illinois, MidAmerican, Mt. Carmel Public Utility, and rural electric cooperatives and municipal utilities located in MISO Group A Small DG Waitlist (10kW AC and under) Group A Large DG Waitlist (over 10kW AC) Group B – Projects located in the service territories of ComEd, and rural electric cooperatives and municipal utilities located in PJM Group B Small DG Waitlist (10kW AC and under) Group B Large DG Waitlist (over 10kW AC) How long will it take for my project to get selected? Currently projects are only selected off of the waitlist as other drop out of the program. Due to...
Jun 19, 2020 | Uncategorized
Proof of RGM for projects over 10kW AC: ABP is looking to verify two things, that the production is trackable, and that it is being monitored by a revenue grade meter. If the revenue grade meter has a screen that shows production, a photo of the meter showing production should suffice (ideally this would show the make and model of the meter). If the revenue grade meter does not have a screen, then a photo of the physical meter (ideally showing make and model), and a screenshot from online monitoring would work. If the online monitoring for a system shows the RGM make and model installed (if you are viewing a system’s layout on SolarEdge, for example), a screenshot from the layout showing the make and model, and another screenshot from the main dashboard showing total production would work. If the RGM is an integrated add-on, like an SMA integrated RGM, a photo of the add-on, with an invoice for the add-on would...
Jun 12, 2020 | Uncategorized
In order to participate in the ABP/IL Shines Program there are a few fees and Collateral/Bonding that need to be paid either by solar system owners, Approved Vendors, or the system installer/developer. Different Approved Vendors and installation companies handle the fees differently so some or none of these may be need to paid by you. If Carbon Solutions is acting as your Approved Vendor this information will be provided in our REC Contract and subsequent invoices. ABP Application Fee $10/kW AC – Non-Refundable Each system is charged a non-refundable ABP Application fee when initially submitted to the ABP program. This fee is $10/kw AC (capped at $5000/system). If this fee is owed by the system owner/host directly you will receive an email from Carbon Solutions after contract signing. ABP Collateral or 5% Utility Collateral As part of the rules for the ABP program the Contracting Utility needs to hold a collateral of 5% of the REC contract value for the full duration (15 years) of a systems’ contract. For more details see our post for a detailed description of the 5% Collateral. Approved Vendor Fee -Varies Carbon Solutions charges an Approved Vendor fee for our services. This fee is withheld from the first REC payment. Please see your REC contract for the details of the Approved Vendor Fee for your system. Additional Collateral (Approved Vendor and System Dependent) Some Approved Vendors or systems may require additional collateral beyond the 5% utility collateral. Carbon Solutions does not charge for additional collateral upfront, but instead withholds it from the first REC payment. Please see your REC Contract for more details on...
May 29, 2020 | Uncategorized
Common Reasons for Application Delays The AC Size on your disclosure form does not match the AC size on your SREC Contract.There was a delay in receiving or signing your consumer disclosure form – when signed this creates an application for Carbon Solutions to complete.There was a delay in receiving or signing your SREC contract – once signed Carbon Solutions can submit an application on your behalf to the Illinois Shines program.Your application has missing information or inconsistent information, and we haven’t received a reply from your installer.The Batch your project is in is delayed because a project or projects need clarifications (projects submitted after March 2020 no longer face this issue). The AC Size listed on your Consumer Disclosure Form is >5% larger or smaller than the AC size listed on your SREC contract. Tip: Double check the AC size, system address, and name listed on your disclosure form for accuracy.Resolution: In this case the ABP requires that you receive an updated disclosure form, and that you sign the form indicating you approve of the change. Delays: Between CSG informing your installer, your installer editing/creating a disclosure form for your signature, or because you cannot find or are not aware you need to sign the updated disclosure form. Timing: It can be indefinite Delays Related to completing the Consumer Disclosure Form – This document is one of the first things that you see as a prospective customer. It needs to be signed by you before you even sign an installation contract. An application is not created until this form is signed, and Carbon Solutions cannot send you an SREC contract...
May 29, 2020 | Uncategorized
Carbon Solutions SREC is an Approved Vendor (AV) for the Illinois Adjustable Block Program (ABP). Approved Vendors serve as the counter party to the REC contract with the Utility under the ABP Program. Carbon Solutions SREC contracts with a solar system owner to submit their system to the ABP Program on their behalf. We also manage all of the registration of the system for the ABP Program and on the REC tracking system. We also will manage all REC generation and deliveries for the duration of the contract. For more information see the the FAQ Published by the ABP Program...
Jan 21, 2020 | Uncategorized
Overview This blog post provides more context and information regarding the Credit Card Authorization form requirement, as well as how it relates to SREC delivery, collateral, and performance calls. Background The 5% collateral associated with your SREC contract is held by the contracting utility. This is the utility that receives your SRECs, and makes SREC payments to you. Carbon Solutions buys SRECs from you and sells them to that utility. The 5% collateral must be maintained at that level for the term of the contract. As part of Carbon Solutions agreement with the utility, if SRECs are not delivered as contracted, the utility will draw on the 5% collateral at the contracted SREC price for however many SRECs are not delivered. The utility will then charge Carbon Solutions for the undelivered SREC(s).Due to the nature of the up-front payment, this payment is passed on to you. This is called a “Performance Call”. In practice, the utility will review SREC delivery after 36 months and compare the contracted amount with the amount delivered, based on the 36 month moving average of SREC delivery. After the first review, the utility will review annually thereafter until the contract ends. Example: 150 SRECs on the contract, 10 SREC per year, flat. Through the first three years your system delivered 10, 10 and 9 SRECs. So 29 SRECs are delivered of the 30 SRECs contracted. The utility will draw on the collateral for the amount of 1 SREC, and charge Carbon Solutions. In this example Carbon Solutions would invoice you for the same amount and provide five days notice before the card on file is charged....
Sep 11, 2019 | Uncategorized
A REC is equal to 1 MWH of electricity generated by a renewable source. RECs are minted and transacted on “REC Tracking Systems”. Different tracking systems cover different areas of the country. CSG serves as a generator, marketer, broker, and aggregator for RECs across the country. Please contact CSG if you want more info on selling your...
Aug 15, 2019 | Uncategorized
Describes the timeline, process, and document flow when particularizing in the Illinois Adjustable Block Program with Carbon Solutions as your approved...
Jun 19, 2019 | Uncategorized
Greetings, Please see your SREC contract at DocuSign. If you are receiving this contract you should have already received, in order, the items below: 1. The Illinois ABP Brochure: http://illinoisabp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Brochurev2.pdf 2. The Consumer Disclosure form (signed and completed) for your system purchase – please be sure this is entirely accurate as it forms the basis for your project application and will require editing and re-signing in the event it is inaccurate. This will lead to a delay in your application processing time. 3. A system installation contract – signed and completed. Tips and Frequently Asked Questions Please see our timeline here: https://srec.carbonsolutionsgroup.com/general-srec-application-timeline/ Please review our blog post on the CC authorization form here: https://srec.carbonsolutionsgroup.com/the-cc-authorization-form-performance-calls-and-collateral/ Filling out the Contract Please fill out the Host Certification on the 3rd page. Section 1 is required, and then either Section 2 or Section 3 is required. Signing Section 2 indicates that you are the SREC counter-party and the project site owner. Section 3 indicates that you own the site and you must identify the host company or individual. Please review system specifications, particularly, the system size AC, DC, system address, number of SRECs and counterparty. Most fields on the contract are editable (phone, email, name, etc) if any trouble editing, or if a field is not editable, please reach out to SREC@carbonsolutionsgroup.com. See your non-refundable $10/kW AC application fee on Cover Sheet B. If you’ve paid this to your installer or it has been covered by your installer, a note will be made on this page. On Page 28 you will be asked to sign and there is a required section “By”...
