Solar energy in utility integrated resource plans: factors that can impact customer clean energy goals
This working paper focuses on key issues that influence the amount of solar energy incorporated in integrated resource plans, and how these plans can impact customer clean energy goals. Many electric utilities utilize Integrated Resource Plans (IRPs) to develop and communicate a long-term vision for their resource development. As such, IRPs play a significant role in solar development and in how customers achieve their clean energy goals. For large-scale energy customers, including corporations and local governments, understanding how IRP processes impact resource decisions—and how this relates to achieving their clean energy targets—can influence their engagement with utilities and regulators.
