Over the past decade, many California colleges have invested millions into solar PV and battery storage systems—hoping to save on energy costs, reduce carbon footprints, and build a foundation for long-term sustainability. But how can you know if those systems are truly delivering on their promise?
Measuring solar performance correctly is more complex than it may seem. You can't just look at solar production reports or reduced utility bills. A thorough financial assessment requires a detailed and data-driven methodology that goes beyond surface-level metrics.
To evaluate whether your clean energy systems are delivering their full value, you must perform a structured financial performance analysis that includes the following steps:
1. Reconstruct What the Utility Bill Would Have Been Without Solar or Batteries
Using data from:
…we reverse-engineer the actual load profile for your facility—the electricity demand that would have appeared on the utility meter had the solar and battery systems not been installed. This reconstructed load profile is then run through your electric utility’s tariff structure.
2. Account for Utility Rate Structure Nuances
The next step is simulating what the utility would have charged using:
Getting this right means factoring in every detail of the rate structure. A small oversight—such as misapplying peak demand charges or neglecting CCA billing structures—can misstate your actual savings by hundreds of thousands of dollars.
3. Compare Simulated vs. Actual Bills
Once the simulated “no-solar / no-battery” electric utility bill is created, compare it against the actual utility charges to calculate the true electricity bill savings attributable to your clean energy systems.
4. Factor in Additional Revenues (e.g., RECs)
Beyond electricity savings, your college may also generate revenue through Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) monetization. A robust financial study will include:
5. Account for Operating Expenses
A true picture of financial performance must include:
The result? An Accurate Net Financial Benefit figure that captures the full financial value of your solar and storage investments.
Case in Point: A Large-Scale District Solar & Battery Portfolio Installed At One California District
For one California District (with an 8 megawatt solar and battery portfolio), this level of financial analysis revealed the following for their last fiscal year:
Key Highlights from the Study:
This outcome wasn’t accidental—it was the result of diligent asset management.
Want to See the Full Case Study?
We’ve prepared a version of this financial performance case study that includes contacts at the District so you can connect with them about their experience. If you’d like a copy or want to explore how this approach could benefit your district, reach out below.
Transform Energy provides solar and battery asset management services to California’s Community College Districts—maximizing the financial returns from clean energy investments you’ve already made.
Visit transformenergy.com/asset-management or contact David Burdick at david.burdick@transformenergy.com.