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Blue Sky® program customers help fund the installation of renewable energy projects in communities across Utah, Wyoming and Idaho. These projects are part of a solution for our future and help build the communities we serve.
Blue Sky community project funding comes from customers participating in the Blue Sky program and is available to help cover the capital costs of installing new renewable energy systems for non-residential, community-serving sites within Rocky Mountain Power's service area.
Seven new projects were funded in 2023 totaling more than $1.5 million. We are excited to be a part of communities and provide more funding for new renewable projects.
Projects are selected through a competitive evaluation process and funding is limited. We are looking for projects that include advanced new and emerging technologies. Projects must include battery storage and participate in our Watsmart battery program if available in the state. Project applications will be weighted based on the community need, innovative nature and matching funds. Applicants are also encouraged to apply for a Federal Solar Tax Credit. Please send any Blue Sky grant inquiries to bluesky@pacificorp.com
Wind
Solar PV
Geothermal
Low-impact hydro, certified by the Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI)
Pipeline or irrigation canal hydropower
Wave energy or tidal action
Low-emissions biomass based on digester methane gas from landfills, sewage treatment plants or animal waste and biomass energy based on solid organic fuels from wood, forest or field residues or dedicated crops that do not include wood pieces that have been treated with chemical preservatives such as creosote, pentachlorophenol or copper chrome arsenic.
Note: Reasonable design costs proposed for the purpose of optimizing the facility’s energy production and finalizing system design may be considered; however, Blue Sky funding may not be used to recoup the costs for preliminary designs incurred prior to application submission.
Rocky Mountain Power does not provide project development assistance and does not provide assistance in obtaining co-funding.
If your project is selected for funding, you will be subject to certain requirements to maintain your project’s eligibility. The following describes the current awardee requirements, which are subject to change without notice:
Project reports
All communications should be sent to bluesky@pacificorp.com
Funds will be distributed once we receive and approve the final report and information is provided which confirms the following:
Blue Sky program participation
Funding recipients must be enrolled in Rocky Mountain Power's Blue Sky program as a business partner; for-profit businesses must enroll at the Visionary level. New partnership enrollments must be submitted prior to, or along with, the submission of the signed agreement detailing the conditions and requirements of accepting Blue Sky funds.
Permanent signage
Develop and install permanent signage at the site that publicly recognizes the contributions of Rocky Mountain Power's Blue Sky Program customers. Rocky Mountain Power can provide samples and support the development of content and messaging.
Project communication
All correspondence regarding the project, quarterly reports, project change forms, Blue Sky partnership enrollment forms and communication, must be submitted via email to Rocky Mountain Power at bluesky@pacificorp.com.
Project monitoring
Provide Rocky Mountain Power with public access to inverter data and to the inverter monitoring web page. Rocky Mountain Power may place a link to the monitoring site on its website. Information collected may be used for educational purposes, performance analysis or any other reason Rocky Mountain Power deems necessary.
Renewable energy certificates
To the extent the project is able to generate renewable energy certificates (RECs), award recipients agree to grant Rocky Mountain Power's Blue Sky program the right to its proportionate share of the project’s renewable energy certificates – an added benefit for Rocky Mountain Power Blue Sky customers for the life of the project. The share amount is expressed as a percentage of output when comparing Rocky Mountain Power’s financial contribution to the overall cost of the renewable energy project. Rocky Mountain Power will also be given the opportunity to purchase additional renewable energy credits from the project, up to 100 percent of the project’s output.
Rocky Mountain Power customer communications
Allow Rocky Mountain Power and its customers and guests at least two tours each year, subject to 30 days advance notice by Rocky Mountain Power.
Allow Rocky Mountain Power to include information regarding your project in customer communication material used by Rocky Mountain Power. This includes Rocky Mountain Power’s right to use photographs of the facility in brochures and Internet pages for purposes of supporting the Blue Sky renewable energy program. Additionally, this includes the right to have a celebration when the project begins producing electricity.
Financing
Documentation of secured funding sources must be provided with project application. Documentation of any funding sources not secured at the time of application submission must be provided to Rocky Mountain Power prior to project completion and before Blue Sky award is issued.
Applications are evaluated by a diverse team of Rocky Mountain Power experts. Evaluation may be based on the application materials and an interview with the project team and project contractor/engineer.
After screening for requirements and eligibility, applications are graded on renewable energy project feasibility/readiness, costs, financing, additionality and community benefits and Blue Sky exposure. Project applications will be weighted based on the community need, innovative nature and matching funds.
Evaluation criteria |
High-level summary of metrics |
Project Feasibility/ Readiness |
Technology – How appropriate is the proposed renewable energy technology/design for the site? Readiness – How far along is the renewable energy project in the development process? How feasible is the project plan and installation timeline? Capability – How adept and motivated is the project team? |
Costs, Financing and Additionality |
Cost – How complete and competitive is the budget? Is the Blue Sky funding request reasonable? Financing – How feasible is the financing model? What is the level of confidence that the project will be fully financed in the required timeframe? Additionality – Are Blue Sky funds required for the project to be successful? |
Community Benefits and Blue Sky Exposure |
Community impact – How much will the renewable energy project benefit the community, local economy and renewable energy industry? Education – How physically visible is the project? How robust is the education plan? Recognition – How robust is the plan to recognize Blue Sky customers for their contribution? |
Preferred project characteristics
In addition, additional weighting is provided for projects that:
If you believe your project is a good candidate for funding, please submit an application along with all required supplemental documentation. Applications will be reviewed twice a year.
Blue Sky Community Project Funding Application
Fall 2024 review |
|
September 7, 2024 |
Application deadline for review |
October 4, 2024 |
Applicants will be notified of award decision |
December 31, 2025 |
Project installations must be completed |
Recent completed project awards are listed below as examples:
Organization | Location | Project size | Award | % of Total Project |
---|---|---|---|---|
Summit Elementary School | Smithfield, UT | 183 kW - Solar | $227,260 | 50% |
USU Moab | Moab, UT | 178 kW – Solar | $282,628 | 58% |
Ivins City Hall | Ivins, UT | 43 kW – Solar | $46,036 | 50% |
Laramie Fire Department | Laramie, WY | 24.9 kW – Solar | $39,465 | 42% |