Supporting On-Site Generation Projects at Commercial and Government Facilities

The Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority (CEFIA), formerly the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF), has combined the former Best of Class and Public Buidlings solicitations.  The new solicitation, the On-Site Renewable Distributed Generation (OSDG) Program Best of Class, Public Buildings and Affordable Housing Request for Proposals (RFP) solicits applications from eligible entities working with experienced renewable energy developers. There will be a strong emphasis on evaluating the financial feasibility of proposed projects as well as the ability of applicants to complete project construction in a timely manner. The intent of the funding is to enable owners of eligible renewable energy systems to “break even” over the life of the equipment, with a fair and reasonable return on investment compared to purchasing the equivalent amount of power from an electric utility company.

CEFIA is currently offering OSDG grants through an RFP format. The OSDG Best of Class, Public Buildings and Affordable Housing RFP will be offered to bridge the time until the launch of the Zero-Emission and Low-Emission Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) programs become available to the market and to prepare the market for the transition from a grant-based program model to a REC-based program model. The competitive, solar photovoltaic (PV) only RFP will close at 5:00 p.m. EST on December 30, 2011. The rolling submission, other technologies RFP will close at 5:00 pm. EST on March 30, 2012.

The following technologies are eligible for grants under the competitive RFP:

• Solar photovoltaic

The following technologies are eligible for grants under the rolling submission RFP:

• Wind
• Fuel cell
• Landfill gas
• Waste heat recovery – power generation
• Low-emission advanced biomass conversion 
• Hydropower meeting the standards of the Low-Impact Hydropower Institute

The following entities may apply under both the competitive, PV-only RFP and the rolling submission RFP:

• For-profit companies
• Not-for-profit companies
• Religious organizations
• Condominium associations
• Municipalities
• State and federal government agencies
• School districts
• Not-for-profit affordable housing companies
• Public housing agencies

Program Announcements

Funding available under this RFP is as follows:

	Best of Class, Public Buildings and Affordable Housing	Type of RFP
PV	$4,500,000	Competitive
Fuel Cell	$2,500,000	Rolling Submission
Other Technologies	$1,000,000	Rolling Submission

Schedule for the On-Site Renewable Distributed Generation Best of Class, Public Buildings and Affordable Housing Request for Proposals

Rolling Submission, Fuel Cell and Other Technologies Solicitation

Activity	Activity Date
Issue RFP document	October 18, 2011
Issue press release	October 18, 2011
Questions or clarifications accepted	October 18, 2011 to March 30, 2012
RFP closing date	March 30, 2012, 5:00 p.m. EST
Eligibility rejection/acceptance letters issued	Three (3) to six (6) weeks from receipt of complete application
CEFIA staff recommendations to Board	Next available scheduled meeting after project owner accepts preliminary grant offer in writing from CEFIA
Funding authorization letters issued	Within two (2) weeks of Board Approval

Links to Important Information

Competitive Solicitation RFP document – PV only Version 2
Competitive Solicitation RFP application  - PV only Version 2

Rolling Submission RFP document – Fuel Cell & Other Technologies only
Rolling Submission RFP application – Fuel Cell & Other Technologies only

Link to Collateral 

October 12, 2011 Information Session Sign-In Sheet

Video of the October 12, 2011 Solar PV RFP Information Session

Solar PV RFP Frequently Asked Questions

Sample CEFIA Financial Assistance Agreements (FAAs)

• Model PV FAA May 2011
• Model PV Power Purchase Agreement FAA May 2011
• Model Fuel Cell FAA November 2010 
• Model Fuel Cell Power Purchase Agreement FAA November 2010

OSDG Best of Class RFP Announcements

December 30, 2011 – On December 30, 2011 CEFIA received 42 applications from interested, commercial solar photovoltaic applicants. The applications are currently under review and grant awards will be announced in March 2012.

November 1, 2010 RFP Program Announcements

The following applicants were selected for funding under the OSDG Program Best of Class and Public Buildings competitive RFPs released on November 1, 2010. The Best of Class and Public Buildings RFPs were closed on February 28, 2011. 

“Public Buildings” Category
Applicant	Installation Location	Contractor/Developer	PV Installation Size (kWPTC)	Grant Amount	Project Status
Newtown Public Works	Newtown	To Be Determined	84.09	$ 325,870	In process
Somers Public Works	Somers	DBS Energy, Inc.	36.19	$ 56,200	In process
Bridgeport Blackham Elementary School	Bridgeport	Main Street Power Company	81.43	$ 141,300	In process