LightReach has worked with the Connecticut Green Bank, our AVL Battery manufacturers, and key Partners to develop a Palmetto LightReach Solar + Battery Storage plan and process that puts our CUSTOMERS and our PARTNERS - FIRST!
As our local Connecticut Install Partners know - Connecticut has a robust Energy Storage Solutions incentive program to support the State’s goal of deploying 1,000MW of battery storage by 2030.
After engaging with the Connecticut Green Bank, approved manufacturers, and partners - we’re moving forward with a Phase 1 strategy to enable partners to begin to originate and install battery storage in CT with discretion to either OPT-IN or OPT-OUT at Installation Package (M1) submission on each eligible project to the Energy Storage Solutions program.
Overview:
LightReach’s plan ensures those incentive benefits are able to flow to both the Customer and to our valued Installation Partners.
Install Partners are eligible, but not required, to enroll and receive the ‘Passive’ or ‘Upfront’ incentive directly, and our Customers are eligible to receive the ‘Active’ or ‘Ongoing’ incentive payments to offset future monthly costs.
Each manufacturer’s operational and enrollment processes are slightly different, so please lean on your expertise installing approved battery systems to ensure Program compliance.
Enrolling systems into the CT Energy Storage Solutions program does require additional documentation for M1/M2 package requirements.
KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR INSTALL PARTNERS
Max Flexibility - Partners have the option to OPT-IN or OPT-OUT of Program enrollment for each eligible PV+ESS project
Partner Retains Upfront Incentive Payment - Partners can capture the Upfront incentive directly, but must discount the EPC cost to consumer to pass-thru the benefit.
Reasonable and Simple documentation requirements - Navigating the CT Green Bank program approvals and reviews for Opt-Ins is hard enough, but LightReach needs visibility and proof of system enrollments to ensure ongoing compliance.
We believe this to be a very Partner friendly approach, giving you choice and control over your sales and installs. Working with state program administrators to unlock incentives can introduce friction and delays to the EPC’s development and installation pipeline.
We are providing flexibility and optionality that places the decision, operational burden, and benefit on them to pursue, or not. CT Green Bank CANNOT currently assign the Passive/Upfront incentive to individual customers of TPO systems. The Passive/Upfront incentive is to be assigned and paid to the EPC Install Partner / Contractor.
Certification & Onboarding
CT Requirements:
You must be an approved Program Contractor and Installers must submit applications to CT Green Bank and ESS Program to become eligible contractors. The Application is HERE. |
Certification & Onboarding:
Partners interested in selling storage on the platform can follow a few simple steps to request access.
LightReach will review submissions within five (5) business days.
Updates are provided via the submission ticket.
Certified Install Partners, as part of their certification for Battery Pricing request with the Compliance Team will be required to sign the CT ESS Attestation Form prior to battery pricing enablement.
This attestation lays out key terms, conditions, and responsibilities we need Partners to be aware of and accountable for when selling Palmetto Lightreach PV + battery systems in CT.
Lightreach M1/M2 Requirements:
Install Partners will be responsible for submitting the CT ESS Confirmation Form as part of M1 on each PV + Storage project. This M1 deliverable signals to us what the Partner’s intended path for the project is, and whether our QC Team must then look for Opt-In or Opt-Out deliverables at M1.
Install Partners are to work with customers to confirm if the customer would like to be: a) enrolled in Passive & Active, b) Active only, or c) not enrolled at all.
Install Partners are responsible for published Milestone Deliverables:
M1
All CT Storage Projects:
Complete IC Application PDF - must include Customer & Storage info sections
Opt-in (Passive & Active) Customers ONLY
CT ESS Customer Disclosure Form - (Customer sig required)
Reservation of Funds (ROF) email from the Program
-Example - Reservation of Funds
M2
Opt-in (Passive & Active) Customers ONLY
Install Partners that elect to enroll in and claim the PASSIVE / UPFRONT Incentive MUST DISCOUNT the battery EPC cost consistent with the upfront, Passive Dispatch incentive amount that they are entitled to.
Frequently Asked Questions
CT. Program FAQ Here - https://energystoragect.com/contractor-faq/
| Question | Answer |
1 | Are all of LightReach’s AVL approved battery products eligible under the Program? | Currently, yes. But LightReach’s AVL is constantly evolving as are the Program’s requirements and approved equipment list. Please refer to both lists periodically to ensure ongoing eligibility. |
2 | How will the Passive / Upfront incentive be paid out? | The CT Green Bank will be paid directly to the installer / contractor when the system is enrolled in the passive dispatch. Payments are made monthly. |
3 | How will the Active / Ongoing incentive be paid out? | The performance incentive of the Active dispatch is administered by the utilities directly, Eversource and United Illuminating (UI). The payments will be sent at the end of the summer and winter dispatch seasons directly to the utility customer/homeowner.es, if they wish to receive the Energy Storage Rebate they are required to change the rate plan to a qualifying TOU rate. |
4 | Is Palmetto LightReach approved by the CT Energy Storage Solutions Program? | Yes, Palmetto LightReach is both an approved Third-Party-Owner and approved contractor of the Program |
5 | How do we know how much of an upfront incentive amount each system and project is eligible for? | We would encourage you to use the Program’s CT ESS Residential Incentive Estimate Calculator.
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6 | Where can I see both the LightReach battery AVL and the CT ESS eligible equipment list | CT Eligible Equipment List HERE LightReach Battery AVL HERE |
7 | What are the requirements of the Passive Dispatch, upfront incentive? | Passive dispatch enrolled systems will be called to dispatch up to 80% of the battery automatically during the dispatch season = non-holiday weekends in June, July, and August from 3pm to 8pm. The system is automatically required to opt-in to passive dispatch events to receive the upfront incentives |
8 | It looks like low-income customers are eligible for higher incentive, how are low-income customers defined? |
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9 | Customers in “Underserved Communities” are also eligible for higher incentive amount, how are “Underserved Communities” defined? | An ‘Underserved Community’ are customers that reside in an economically distressed municipality, as defined by the most recent list developed by the Connecticut DECD and included in the Programs Residential Incentive Calculator. |
10 | Can a customer enroll a system in both Energy Storage Solutions and the existing ConnectedSolutions Program? | No, as of December 2, 2023 ConnectedSolutions is no longer accepting new CT enrollments. |
11 | Manufacturer's Specific Sites |
If you’re an Authorized Install Partner representative, please reach out to your Relationship Manager or LightReach Team to request pricing and begin onboarding.