[learn_more caption=”Where do I need to sign the contract?”] All the parts in the contract that need you to fill something in are highlighted yellow. We need you to select what payment type you would like on page 2. We need a signatures on pages 20, 21, 24, and 25. On page 27 please enter the payment information for your system. If your system your system is located on a property that is not owned by the system owner we will also need the host agreement on page 28 filled out and signed by the host.[/learn_more]
[learn_more caption=”Is there an easy way to sign this contract?”] E-signatures and an e-mailed contract are absolutely fine to submit for this procurement. Both Docusign and Dochub offer free PDF signing.[/learn_more]
[learn_more caption=”How to I give access to view my inverter data?”] Please see instructions on Enphase website for more info.[/learn_more]
[learn_more caption=”What is a schedule A?”] A Schedule A gives CSG the right to register your system with PJM GATS and generate RECS on your behalf. This document is necessary for getting your system generating RECS for this procurement.[/learn_more]
[learn_more caption=”Do I need a Host agreement?”] Only systems located somewhere that is owned by an entity that is different than the system owner need a host agreement. The host agreement is required by the IPA to establish that the system has permission from the host site.[/learn_more]
[learn_more caption=”Why do I need a revenue Grade Meter? “] The Illinois Power Agency wrote meter requirements to comply with the system characteristics that are required by Illinois law to participate in this procurement. See: IPA Meter Requirements for more info. [/learn_more]
[learn_more caption=”What is the Letter of Intent for?”] The letter of intent is to be given to the Illinois Power Agency to verify that we have the system owner’s permission to bid their RECS into this procurement.[/learn_more]
[learn_more caption=”Why do I have to bond my System?”] The bonding requirements are not set by CSG they are set by the Illinois Power Agency. They can be viewed here in the rules document on the IPA website. They are performance bonds to ensure your system delivers the RECS on the contract.
CSG understands that the bonding requirements set for this procurement can be quite costly. Because of this we are offering to cover the ENTIRE bond for systems that sign up with us. But, systems that wish to pay their own bond will get paid higher prices for their RECS. [/learn_more]
[learn_more caption=”How are the bonds calculated?”]
Participation Fee
IPA charges a $4.20/REC fee for participation in the procurement process. This fee is charged for each REC that is anticipated to be delivered over the five year duration of the contract.
The $4.20/REC fee is fully refundable in the event that your system is not selected for participation. In that case the funds will be returned within 30 days of the announcement of procurement results (Approximately October 17, 2015). In the event that your system is selected the $4.20/REC fee is not refundable.
System Operability Bond
IPA charges a $8.00/REC System Operability Bond to ensure that your facility exists, is energized, registered with a tracking system and able to deliver RECs via that tracking system by July 10, 2016. The $8.00/REC bond is charged for each REC that is anticipated to be delivered over the five-year duration of the contract.
The $8.00/REC bond is fully refundable in the event that your system is not selected for participation. In that case the funds will be returned within 30 days of the announcement of procurement results (Approximately October 17, 2015).
In the event that your system is selected the $8.00/REC fee is refunded within 30 days of your system delivering its first REC via the tracking system.
System Performance Bond
IPA charges a System Performance Bond that is equivalent to 10% of the value of the contract over the five year duration. This bond ensures that RECs stipulated to be delivered from the system in the contract are actually delivered.
The $8.00/REC bond is charged for each REC that is anticipated to be delivered over the five-year duration of the contract.
The 10% of REC value bond is fully refundable in the event that your system is not selected for participation. In that case the funds will be returned within 30 days of the announcement of procurement results (Approximately October 17, 2015).
In the event that your system is selected the %10 REC value fee is refunded on an annual basis pro rata with the generation and delivery of RECs. Bond refunding will be made within 30 days of the annual anniversary of the end of the summer delivery season (August 31, 2016 being the end of the first summer delivery season).
All fees and bonds may be distributed earlier if funds are made available to CSG by IPA earlier.
Please see Annex B on your contract for the calculation specific to your system.[/learn_more]
[learn_more caption=”Do you have an example of how a bond would work for a 10kW system?”]
Example
A typical household 10kW solar photovoltaic system shall serve as our example. This system is expected to generate and deliver a total of 4 SRECs in the first (shortened to winter and spring) delivery year and ~12.5 SRECs per year in years one through four for a total of 54 SRECs over the duration of the contract.
The Participation Fee would be $4.20 x 54 SRECs = $226.80 for this system.
The System Operability Bond would be $8.00 x 54 SRECs = $512.00 for this system.
The System Performance Bond would be (assuming a contracted price of $90/SREC) 10% x 54 SRECs x $90/SREC = $486.00.
The total fee and bonding required by October 1, 2016 would be $226.80 +$512.00 + $486.00 = $1,244.8
[/learn_more]
[learn_more caption=”When do my bond payment come back to me?”]
Continuing the use of a 10kW system as an example:
In the event that the system does not selected to participate by IPA then the full $1,214.00 will be refunded by CSG by November 17, 2015.
In the event that the system is selected to participate by IPA the seller will receive the following payments:
$512.00 no later than August 15, 2016.
+ $36.00 (4 SRECs x $9.00/SREC for 1st Year System Performance Bond) no later than September 30, 2016.
+ $112.50 (12.5 SRECs x $9.00/SREC for 2nd Year System Performance Bond) no later than September 30, 2017.
+ $112.50 (12.5 SRECs x $9.00/SREC for 2dn Year System Performance Bond) no later than September 30, 2018.
+ $112.50 (12.5 SRECs x $9.00/SREC for 2nd Year System Performance Bond) no later than September 30, 2019.
+ $112.50 (12.5 SRECs x $9.00/SREC for 2nd Year System Performance Bond) no later than September 30, 2020.
Total bonding refund of $998.00 for a 10kW system.[/learn_more]
[learn_more caption=”How is the number of RECS in the contract calculated?”]
The REC quantity for your system is generated based off of a capacity factor and equation given by the IPA for each technology type. This is 14.38% for solar systems and 20.7% for wind systems. For systems that have not yet been registered on a tracking system we have prorated the first year for estimated generation after your system is registered.
Example: 10kW Solar System
10kW * 8760 hours per year * 14.38% efficiency / 1000 (to convert to MWH) = 13 RECS/YEAR
First year estimation= 13 RECS * 35 % of year (based off of estimated sunshine for date range) =
4 RECS in year 1
4 RECS year 1 + 13 RECS per year (years 2-5) = 56 REC Contract Value[/learn_more]
[learn_more caption=”What happens if my system produces more RECs than are listed on my contract?”] If your system produces more than its yearly estimated production it will either be sold that year or into the following delivery year depending on the quantity accepted by the utility. If your system produces more than the max contract quantity over the duration of the contract we will do our best to sell any extra production to the utilities at the same rate, but it is not guaranteed. As we begin the 5th contract year we will update system owners on the status of selling excess RECS and new opportunities for after the contract expires.[/learn_more]
[learn_more caption=”What goes on Registration Consent Form (Annex C)?”]
If your inverter or meter does not have online monitoring capabilities you can leave everything blank except the signature at the bottom.
If your inverter or meter allows for third-party access or for you to grant access to another user please grant access to contact@carbonsolutionsgroup.com. (see below in FAQ for instructions)
If your inverter or meter website does not allow another user to view your system or your system information is public please include your meter or inverter manufacturer and your username and password if one is required to see your info.[/learn_more]
[learn_more caption=”How do I pay my bond if I am Self Bonding my system?”]
Please mail a check to our office:
Carbon Solutions Group
ATTN: DG Procurement
1130 W Monroe
Chicago, IL 60607
You may also pay via Paypal or credit card with an additional 3% fee. Please e-mail us for instructions if you wish to use one of these options.[/learn_more]
[learn_more caption=”What is a proof of energized date document?”]
A proof of energized doc is required by the IPA to bid your system into this procurement. Any ONE of the documents listed below will work for proof of energized date.
- Interconnection Agreement
- Net Metering Agreement
- Final System Inspection Confirmation
- Permission to Operate Letter
Other document clearly showing the date at which the system was energized or began operation
If you do not have access to any of these please let us know and we will help you find something that does work.[/learn_more]
[learn_more caption=”If my system is already registered with a REC aggregator how do I switch over?”]
1. Fill out and sign the Schedule A Form included in Contract. Also, include your PJM GATS Unit ID number in the box “PJM MSET ID or EIA Plant Code”. If you do not know your PJM GATS Unit ID ( NON # ) , please ask your previous aggregator for the number.
2. We will email the Schedule A form to the GATS Adminstrator and copy you on the email. If you had someone else aggregating your SRECs on your behalf, PJM GATS will contact the previous aggregator to confirm that there is no contractual obligation to switch aggregation to CSG. [/learn_more]
[learn_more caption=”Where can I get more information?”] CSG hosted a webinar with the ISEA that went through the entire procurement process in detail. You can watch a recording of the webinar for more info. [/learn_more]
We will continue to more answers we identify other common questions. If you have any other questions not answered here please see our DG Info Page or enter them enter them here.