4 FAQs about Large-scale government procurement of photovoltaic cell cabinets

How does the Federal Government procure a solar system?

The federal government procures construction services and materials for solar systems through multiple agencies. All procurement notices for federal contracts over $25,000 are posted on the System for Award Management (SAM) website. For example, a 5-MW solar system at Fort Campbell in Kentucky was installed in 2017 and accounts for 10% of the base's energy needs.

What are the different types of price in federal solar contracts?

Federal solar contracts can have different types of price, including fixed-price contracts, cost-reimbursement contracts and incentive-type contracts.

What does the government expect from its solar contractors?

The government expects of its solar contractors the highest integrity and ethics. When submitting a proposal, a solar contractor must make certain certifications to the federal government, including certifications that the contractor is responsible, registered with SAM and not debarred, suspended or proposed for debarment.

How can state policies help grow solar energy?

Many policies that advance the growth of solar energy are established at the state level. This can include state tax incentives for solar, which provide an additional tax benefit on top of the federal ITC. Other state policies, discussed below, can include:

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