CPS ENERGY LAUNCHES REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL TO SECURE UP TO 50 MW OF COMMUNITY SOLAR

August 25, 2023 (SAN ANTONIO) – CPS Energy, the nation’s largest public power, natural gas, and electric utility, has launched a Request for Proposal (RFP) for up to 50 megawatts (MW) of community solar, enough to power approximately 10,000 homes during the peak demand hours of the day. This initiative is part of the utility’s Sustainable Tomorrow Energy Plan (STEP) and aims to bring more solar to more customers. 

The RFP encourages innovative and creative proposals, along with thoughtful approaches to serving the community’s low-to-moderate income (LMI) customers.  Responses are welcome from local small businesses, as well as large industry leaders, with the potential for multiple awardees. To support this RFP, CPS Energy hosted a community solar supplier event where businesses and local solar installers were invited to learn more, register as a supplier with CPS Energy, and network with other small and local businesses.

In addition to offering an alternative path to solar for customers, community solar programs can create opportunities for businesses to develop partnerships to create and deliver unique programs.  As a community-owned utility, CPS Energy supports economic development and is encouraging local and small businesses to participate in this RFP.

 “We know that providing greater access to solar energy is important to our community,” said Jonathan Tijerina, Vice President of Enterprise Risk & Development for CPS Energy. “We appreciate the feedback we received from District 3 councilwoman, Phyllis Viagran and District 4 councilwoman Adriana Rocha Garcia about expanding programs available for low-to-moderate income customers. This initiative will create opportunities for customers who have been unable to participate in traditional solar options in the past. This project also brings additional benefits, such as reduced carbon emissions, expansion of our solar energy portfolio, and a positive economic impact to the awarded vendors.”

CPS Energy is an environmental leader, and San Antonio ranks number one in Texas for solar generation and number five nationally according to the 2022 Environment Texas Shining Cities report. CPS Energy has 551 MW of existing solar capacity and as of Fiscal Year 2023, the utility has secured an additional 580(MW) of solar for its generation portfolio. In 2022, the utility’s Board of Trustees voted and approved the Sustainable Tomorrow Energy Plan (STEP), which incorporates a focus on reducing barriers to solar for customers.

The following are key dates for the RFP:

Milestone
RFP Issuance through cpsenergy.com/bids	August 24, 2023
Deadline for submittal of questions on the portal, after which CPS Energy may not respond	September 18, 2023
CPS Energy Responses to Submitted Questions	October 2, 2023
Deadline for Proposal Submittal, after which the portal closes to further posting by participants	October 19, 2023
Proposed Contract Start for Selected Provider(s)	February 2024

All participants can view the RFP and must submit information through cpsenergy.com/bids After the closing date, CPS Energy will begin evaluations, with a goal of making selections later this year.

###

About CPS Energy

Established in 1860, CPS Energy is the nation’s largest public power, natural gas, and electric company, providing safe, reliable, and competitively-priced service to more than 930,114 electric and 381,379 natural gas customers in San Antonio and portions of seven adjoining counties. Our customers’ combined energy bills rank among the lowest of the nation’s 20 largest cities – while generating $9 billion in revenue for the City of San Antonio for 80 years. As a trusted and strong community partner, we continuously focus on job creation, economic development, and educational investment. We are powered by our skilled workforce, whose commitment to the community is demonstrated through our employees’ volunteerism in giving back to our city and programs aimed at bringing value to our customers. CPS Energy is among the top public power wind energy buyers in the nation and number one in Texas for solar generation.