For community solar developers and subscription managers
The Energy Connector (Connector) helps connect community solar subscription managers find income-verified households interested in community solar.
The Energy Connector and community solar developers and subscription managers
The Connector reduces the burden of acquiring income-verified subscribers for community solar projects with low- to moderate-income (LMI) enrollment requirements or incentives. State community solar and LIHEAP administrators collaborate to bring the Connector to their state and work with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to execute an agreement that includes consumer and data privacy protections. Subscription managers request access to the Connector and must agree to protections and be approved by each state where they have projects.
The state community solar administrator reviews and approves each subscription manager active on the platform as well as each project available for enrollment. After approval, subscription managers can use the Connector as a source of income-qualified and interested leads to address enrollment needs for new projects as well as subscriber churn for existing projects.
Household subscriptions through the Connector also provide proof of compliance with the 48(e) Low-Income Communities bonus tax credit. States may request that subscription managers pay for leads on the Connector to compensate local LIHEAP agencies for their income-verification and data upload efforts. Whether payment for leads is required varies state by state as does the price of a lead. Each lead on the Connector is provided to only one subscription manager at a time. If a lead does not result in a subscription, it is replaced for free. By using the Connector, subscription managers agree to the Subscription Manager Agreement as well as Terms & Conditions and Data Privacy agreements, which can be reviewed as Example agreements.
Community solar subscription manager role
1. Request access
Use the Subscription manager access request form to request access to the Connector. Access for all subscription managers is approved by the state community solar administrator in each state
2. Create account
You will receive an email prompting you to create an account.
3. Sign agreement
Review and sign any required agreements for minimum savings, consumer protections, and data protections and privacy, as well as any other commitments required by the state
4. Submit projects
Projects must have an interconnection agreement and be available for enrollment. Each project is approved by the state community solar administrator. Make capacity, subscription, and other updates as customers enroll
5. Enroll households
Receive securely shared household information. Only one subscription manager can reach out to a household at a time. Record outreach and enrollment on the Connector.
6. Lead compensation (optional)
Provide compensation to the local LIHEAP agency, if requested by the state. If a lead does not result in subscription, it is replaced for free.