2017-728-E AMS - SolSmart Foundation no cost technical assistance

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DocuSign Envelope ID:AA090EE8-66C2-4C49-8A7F-E6578EE85BD7 SolSmart Advisor Host Community Memorandum of Understanding Between Orange County and The Solar Foundation This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) sets forth the terms and understanding between The Solar Foundation and Orange County("Host Community")to facilitate the work of the SolSmart Advisor assigned to the Host Community and achieve designation under the SolSmart program. Background SolSmart is a national designation program, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative, designed to recognize communities that have taken key steps to address local barriers to solar energy and foster the growth of mature local solar markets. The Solar Foundation, serving as the SolSmart Technical Assistance Provider, and its team of national solar and local government experts provides no-cost technical assistance to help communities qualify for SolSmart designation. The SolSmart program primarily seeks to address "solar soft costs," or business process or administrative costs that can increase the time and money it takes to install a solar energy system costs which are then passed on to solar customers. While only certain local government procedures (such as permitting,planning, and zoning) are the source of some soft costs, local governments are in a unique position to reduce soft costs and take action to promote the use of solar locally. The SolSmart designation program will provide high-profile, national recognition for communities that have made it cheaper and easier for solar customers to invest in solar energy. In addition, achieving designation will send a signal to solar companies that a community is "open for solar business," attracting new businesses and helping designees share in the economic development benefits attached to the solar industry. A unique feature of the technical assistance offerings of the SolSmart program are SolSmart Advisors—experienced, temporary staff funded by The Solar Foundation to help communities achieve designation. The primary objective of the SolSmart Advisors program is to provide select communities participating in the SolSmart program with in-depth support for achieving SolSmart designation through engagements lasting up to 26 weeks. Through these engagements, the SolSmart program sees a prime opportunity for Advisors to become part of the next generation of solar market leaders. Under a separate agreement, the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center has been chosen to serve in the role of SolSmart Advisor to provide support to Orange County. The roles, responsibilities, and expectations listed below are critical to the attainment of these goals.