paleBLUEdot was selected to support the design and management of a Solar Group Purchase campaign for the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia.  The objective of the 2019 Group Purchase campaign is to increase solar installations in the seven coalfield counties of Southwest Virginia through a group procurement solicitation process which will result in reduced pricing for Subject Site building owners through a competitive selection process.  In addition, this procurement process will develop a client base with improved awareness and education on solar PV issues and expectations. This 2019 Group Purchase campaign is the second of multiple group purchase solicitation efforts planned by SWG.

The projects to be developed on businesses, nonprofits and local government properties across Lee, Scott, Tazewell, Washington and Wise counties are part of the Solar Workgroup’s goal to connect building owners and solar companies to develop cost-effective solar projects. The installations will both help participating building owners save money as well as serve as “ambassador” projects to demonstrate the benefits of the growing solar industry. The design of the Group Purchase Campaign will include the integration of a local solar job training program to support the development of solar industry capacity within the region. The campaign will also include local business involvement as well as community solar education engagement.

“This request for proposals is an illustration of not only the strong potential or solar in Southwest Virginia, but also the hard work of the Solar Workgroup to facilitate the growth of the solar industry in our region,” said Chelsea Barnes, New Economy Program Manager for Appalachian Voices, a co-convener of the workgroup.

paleBLUEdot’s support will include:.

1. Develop Solar Site Assessments.

2. Supporting solar education of individual participating sites

3. RFP Document Development.

4. RFP Issue Support.

5. Team selection support.

The paleBLUEdot team is honored to be working with the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia in this important effort. 

The paleBLUEdot team provides a wide range of expert consultant services supporting community resilience, including Climate Planning, Sustainability Consulting, and Renewable Energy Planning.  Learn more about paleBLUEdot's Renewable Energy planning and services here.