The first project under a new program promoting solar panels on commercial properties is now complete, while the city moves forward on a separate plan to install solar at dozens of public buildings.

The setup

Through Austin Energy's Solar Standard Offer program, announced last fall, businesses and property owners are incentivized to either install their own solar panels or lease rooftop space to solar developers. In exchange, they're compensated by the utility based on energy generated by the new panels.

Power produced on properties under Solar Standard Offer is sold into AE's system, contributing to civic renewable goals and boosting the local grid capacity. Richard Genece, AE vice president for customer energy solutions, called the program a "game-changer."

“As a public power

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