Episode 489

489: Understanding the “Value Stack” for Community Solar with Sy Kim, Community Solar Support LLC

Published on: 24th June, 2022

If you’ve been following along the touchstones that make up the community solar market…

“In this final episode of our 5-part series, we still have one more segment of this quilt of knowledge left to weave - the money - how does it work? You heard David Sandbank in Episode 1 refer to the Value Stack. The ways in which the market participants are incentivized to participate is an important element of any complete understanding of an industry sufficient that you could actually begin to participate in it. So, today I’m sitting down with Sy Kim, an industry veteran who has become a go-to resource for those who wish to develop market entry and business development plans for community solar. I first met Sy back when he was a project developer at SunPower before he went on to take senior leadership roles in NRG Energy and what would become Clearway. Sy’s market understanding surpasses most others I’ve met when it comes to explaining the one piece left to unravel in this tapestry - just how does the revenue in these projects stack up? 

We discuss RECs, Tax Equity, market constraints & More. 

From types of offtakers to credit risk, incentives and customer mix, this final discussion will hopefully help fill any remaining gaps in your understanding of just exactly what community solar is and how you can participate in this high-growth opportunity.

You can learn more about today’s guest and our expert lineup along with what else is to come in the series at www.mysuncast.com/communitysolar 

Did you miss the series so far?

CONSIDER THIS YOUR “COMMUNITY SOLAR 101”

In this 5-part series, we answer:

  • How does Community Solar work, and what are the Policy frameworks that support it’s expansion?
  • Is the development of Community Solar that much different from other solar verticals (C&I, Utility)?
  • How does this segment of the industry enable a more just & equitable solar offering?
  • Who are the customers and how are they acquired for Community Solar as compared with other verticals?
  • And, How does the money flow into, through and out of these projects for the various stakeholders?

The Community Solar series presented in partnership with EDP Renewables N. America, Distributed Generation.

You'll find more resources and learn about SunCast's guest(s), recommendations, book links, and more than 650 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.

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You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:

Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

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About the Podcast

SunCast
Your resource for developing a clean energy or climate tech career
Nico Johnson takes you into conversations with those at the forefront of Renewable Energy.

SunCast gives an inside look into what is happening in renewable energy. From conversations with the biggest Solar Panel manufacturers in the world to the small startups creating the future of renewable energy, such as carbon capture and battery technology breakthroughs.

SunCast is dedicated to providing the knowledge, research, tools and expert guidance you need to understand, grow and be ahead of the curve in the fastest-growing markets in the world.

Featuring over 600 conversations, Nico has interviewed people from Tesla, SolarCity, Trina Solar, Meyer Burger, Conergy, SunEdison, Energy Vault and even the US Government... to name a few. Covering topics such as Solar Power, Wind Energy, Batteries, Electric Vehicles, Carbon Capture, Finance, Hydrogen, and more.

You can watch SunCast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SunCastMedia

...or view the full archive of SunCast episodes here: https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes