ACCESSolar Questions and Answers

Session 1 (5/18/2023)

Q1: What is the expected lease term for awarded sites? 

A1: The lease term is 20 years with option for 5-year extension. 

Q2: Will NYCHA provide structural assessments of the rooftops, or is this the responsibility of the proposing team? 

A2: All structural assessments are the responsibility of the proposing team. NYCHA can provide historical drawings, roof plans, access to the sites, and other general building information that will help assist those assessments. Roof warranties are provided upon award, and the proposer is required to not invalidate any roof warranty. Additionally, NYCHA developments are generally expected to be able to handle solar photovoltaic installation loads. All roofs in this Solicitation have been replaced within the last ten years. 

Q3: Are there any restrictions on the type of solar technology that can be deployed? 

A3: Yes – the only solar technology that can be deployed is photovoltaic (PV). 

Q4: Can you clarify the interconnection requirements and whether NYCHA will facilitate this process with the utility? 

A4: NYCHA does not facilitate the interconnection process with Con Edison. Teams are responsible for submitting interconnection applications and working with Con Edison to confirm requirements.  

Q5: What is the minimum lease payment NYCHA expects for each property? 

A5: NYCHA has not set a minimum lease payment amount, however the amount and structure of lease payments are considered in the scoring criteria for the evaluations of submitted proposals. See Section 4.3 Evaluation Process and Criteria of the Solicitation. Those proposals that provide a higher financial return to NYCHA will receive higher scores in that category. 

Q6: Is there a preferred financial model for the community solar projects (e.g., specific ownership structure)? 

A6: No. Specific ownership and financial models are up to the proposing team. 

Q7: Are there any available incentives, grants, or subsidies specifically for this program beyond standard NY solar incentives? 

A7: Proposer teams should check with NYSERDA’s NY-Sun program for incentives available in the Con Edison service area (https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/NY-Sun/Contractors/Dashboards-and-incentives/ConEd-Dashboard) as well as for any “adders” that may be applicable to community solar installations, particularly those that may be located in disadvantaged communities or serve low or median income (“LMI”) households. 

Q8: How will the lease payments to NYCHA be structured (fixed, variable based on production, escalating over time)? 

A8: Lease payments are building by building and should be calculated on a $-per-kW basis as laid out in the Solicitation and Lease Agreement. Fixed or escalating payment structures are determined by the Proposer. It is strongly recommended that teams provide a pro forma or other documentation justifying the proposed lease payment. Please see Section 3.3.5 of the Solicitation. 

Q9: What financial information will teams need to submit to demonstrate project viability? 

A9: Proposers should submit information about the financing team and evidence that financing for these projects has been secured or is to be secured upon signing of a final Lease Agreement. This can be provided in the form of a documented letter of commitment that references specific project sites and amount of funding provided from the financing partner(s). NYCHA will also accept a letter that states financing will be provided contingent upon signing the Lease Agreement. Please see Section 3.3.4 of the Solicitation for required Project financing submittals. 

Q10: What are the minimum requirements for NYCHA resident hiring in terms of number of positions or percentage of workforce? 

A10: There is not a standard minimum number of NYCHA resident hires required for these projects, however, it is a programmatic requirement that 25% of labor hours be completed by verified NYCHA residents and proposers are required to disclose resident hiring goals in their proposal in Attachment B. See Section 2.3.10 of the Solicitation. 

Q11: Does NYCHA offer any pre-existing training programs that can help prepare residents for solar installation jobs  

A11: Yes. In partnership with the Public Housing Community Fund, NYCHA’s Clean Energy Academy is a training initiative aimed at preparing NYCHA residents for careers in the green economy. Residents enrolled in this program will receive their OSHA 30, Site Safety certification, and hands-on experience in sustainable building systems, including solar. Click here for more information. 

Q12: Are there specific wage requirements for NYCHA residents hired through this program? 

A12: No. These projects do not have specific wage requirements (e.g. prevailing wage). 

Q13: Will NYCHA facilitate the process of connecting developers with interested NYCHA residents for employment? 

A13: Project teams are expected to conduct their own outreach efforts to recruit NYCHA residents for training and hiring opportunities. These outreach efforts should be outlined in Section 6 of the proposal. However, NYCHA can support with flyer distribution, connecting teams with resident leaders, and posting training and hiring opportunities on the OpportunityNYCHA website. The Project team can also work with NYCHA’s Resident Economic Empowerment and Sustainability (“REES”) division.  See Section 2.3.10 of the Solicitation.  

Q14: What is the expected role of community-based organizations (CBOs) in these projects? 

A14: “Community Empowered” is part of the ACCESSolar name and is an important aspect of the program. CBOs bring their expertise in public policy issues, environmental and economic justice, workforce development, community engagement, and communications to the teams they join. Typically, CBOs have been mostly involved in training, outreach for resident hiring and subscribers, and leading other creative community benefits under this program.

Q15: Are there preferred or pre-qualified CBOs that NYCHA recommends teams partner with? 

A15: NYCHA does not pre-qualify or express preferences on CBOs. NYCHA will make a list of interested CBOs available to interested developers – and vice versa – and leave it to those parties to form their own partnerships. 

Q16: How will proposals that include multiple CBOs be evaluated compared to those with a single CBO partner? 

A16: The evaluation process is based on a series of criteria outlined in Section 4 of the Solicitation and is not impacted by the number of CBOs included on the Proposer team. 

Q17: What are the required milestone dates for project development after lease signing? 

A17: Proposers should refer to the Lease Template (Attachment F) for project deadlines after lease signing. Attachments must be requested by emailing Accessolar@nycha.nyc.gov. NYCHA may require additional milestones, such as resident engagement touchpoints, that will be discussed further upon award. 

Q18: What is the expected timeline for completing the installations after lease execution? 

A18: Installations are expected to be completed and operational 18 months after lease signature. 

Q19: Are there penalties for not meeting development timeline commitments? 

A19: Lessees run the risk of being in default of their lease commitments, however, NYCHA is generally flexible on timing and wants to see these projects succeed. Adjustments of the project timeline should be discussed and coordinated with NYCHA.