Writing Solar Requests for Proposals (RFPs): Lessons from NREL's University PV Implementation Assistance Program

With funding from the Department of Energy's SunShot program, NREL is assisting higher education institutions with solar PV procurement. Typically, universities issue RFPs as a way to get competitive bids on solar power purchase agreements (PPAs). However, RFPs could also be used for university-owned systems. While providing assistance to universities issuing RFPs, NREL has developed a list of common issues to consider when writing an RFP for solar PV. This fact sheet describes these considerations.