Solar-Plus
High-Value Resource Solutions

At Cliburn and Associates, LLC, we helped pioneer solar plus storage and solar plus load flexibility solutions, with benefits for utilities, their customers and the environment.  Today, we are focused on continuing innovation and increasing public understanding of the energy transition. We also work on the forefront of community solar, returning benefits equitably across a range of stakeholders, with emphasis on low- and moderate income households. These solutions are complex, but not confounding. They are not only within our reach; they are within your reach, and we will show you how.

Cliburn and Associates offers expertise in emerging-market research, business program design, policy and evaluation, across the range of renewables and emerging integration strategies. We also provide change-management and facilitation. Keys to our success include a deep experience and a network of expert associates, who thrive in a results-oriented culture.

Take an in-depth look at our work on the Solar Value Project site, including our recent work as a technical advisor for the National Community Solar Partnership and the "SPECs" (Solar plus for Electric Co-ops) project for the U.S. DOE Solar Energy Innovation Network.

    Research

Cliburn and Associates research services range from emerging-market assessments to business and program plans, case studies, policy and training support. Contact us for samples of our award-winning work.

    Collaboration

Whether you are aiming to launch a new community solar program, shape outreach about the energy transition, craft a new policy, or procure solar plus storage, these efforts require collaboration. Cliburn and Associates is expert in collaborative planning and process coaching.

    Imagination

Cliburn has remained at the forefront of change. Our team can help you think "outside the box" and to move smartly beyond your limits. Our approach is exemplified by leadership of the Solar Value Project. It also takes place in customized settings, for groups or individuals.
Cliburn is a frequent presenter at industry conferences and an a participant in innovation networks. Recently (above) she presented to a utility gathering in Aspen, CO. She is a frequent speaker or panelist for national conferences and association meetings. Cliburn has been a board member of the American Solar Energy Society, and was recently named a Fellow in that organization. She is currently a board member of Solar Energy International, a leader in solar training and professional development.


News and Highlights

Cliburn Coaching Contributes to Broadening Access to Solar
The National Community Solar Partnership (NCSP) is a coalition of community-focused solar stakeholders, working to expand access to affordable community solar to every American household by 2025. As a consultant to the NCSP in 2021-24, Cliburn has supported efforts in multiple states, ranging from assisting in efforts to build inclusive participation in community solar development guidelines to supporting local NGOs and consumer-owned utilities involvement combining solar plus energy efficiency or storage to impact the low-income energy burden.

Previously, Cliburn and Associates assisted the U.S. DOE Solar in Your Community Challenge. It was aimed at a similar goal as the NCSP, but through a competition format. Local Challenge teams stood a chance of winning cash awards and recognition for their work. Cliburn supported this program as a coach and training consultant. The firm produced two national Challenge workshops. A 2019 NREL publication, Up to the Challenge, spotlights two of the teams that Cliburn coached, Solar Holler (WV) and VEIC Sun Shares (VT). Sun Shares was subsequently honored with a category prize. Many of the Challenge projects deserve recognition, offering models to replicate widely.

SPECs: Building a Value-Based Market for Solar Plus Storage
Solar-Plus for Electric Co-ops (SPECs) was led by Cliburn and Associates, to help optimize the procurement and operations of battery storage projects at electric cooperatives and other local utilities. The project was one of eight selected by the U.S. Department of Energy for the second round of the Solar Energy Innovation Network (SEIN). Cliburn and Associates is joined by a number of partners on this project, including Cobb Electric Membership Corp., Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, United Power, North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center and others.

SEIN is a collaborative research effort led by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and supported by the U.S. DOE Solar Energy Technologies Office. It works with multi-stakeholder teams pursuing new applications of solar energy and other distributed energy resources in unique locations and contexts. SPECs has successfully developed economic modeling, procurement and planning tools to optimize solar and storage value. Contact us or review available products on the Solar Value Project website.

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Publications for Public Power Utilities
The American Public Power Association recently released two new publications, developed by Cliburn and Associates to serve local utility needs nationwide. This is the third edition of Energy Matters for Your Home and Energy Matters for Your Small Business that Cliburn has produced for APPA and its members over the past 15 years . Altogether these publications have hundreds of thousands of copies in print. The work is also reflected in digital content on numerous public power utility websites. This edition introduces new concepts to utility customers, as many public power utilities have updated their business models. Today, public power utilities are often oriented towards clean energy services, from providing incentive rate structures to compatibility with building controls, rooftop or community solar, and EVs. In addition, the Home guide is now available in Spanish. If you are not an APPA member, contact us for other ways we can help to improve your energy efficiency and renewable energy outreach.