The National Community Solar Partnership+ (NCSP+) is a coalition of solar stakeholders working to expand access to affordable, distributed solar to all U.S. households and enable communities to realize the meaningful benefits of solar energy. NCSP+ partners make commitments to increasing access to distributed solar within their own organization or community, interact with each other on a platform called Forj, and receive benefits such as access to resources and technical assistance.
Who are National Community Solar Partnership+ Partners?
Partners represent a group of solar stakeholders, including community members and community-based organizations, solar developers, financial institutions, state, local, tribal, and territorial government representatives, utilities, and nonprofits. Any U.S.-based individual or organization supportive of increased access to distributed solar is encouraged to join the Partnership.
Find out more about current NCSP+ partners and their commitments to increasing access to solar energy.
Why Join the National Community Solar Partnership+?
NCSP+ partners receive access to the full benefits of the Partnership, including:
- Technical Assistance: Receive tailored support from experts to solve challenges with implementing solar projects and programs in either a one-on-one or group setting.
- Networking: Meet, connect, and learn with other partners working on distributed solar in your area and across the country. Partners may join or start peer-networking groups around specific topics such as financing, program design, and more.
- Events & Opportunities: Find out about distributed solar events such as stakeholder convenings, technical webinars, and recognition. Partners often share opportunities including funding, feedback forums, and outlets for highlighting your work.
- Resources: Access a curated and regularly updated database of resources on distributed solar, including case studies, toolkits, research papers, analysis tools, and more.
- Share Expertise: Share your experiences and ask questions about distributed solar with other partners in the network.
Partner Commitments
In exchange for access to these benefits, partners commit to actively engaging in the Partnership in order to help meet its ambitious goal of making solar accessible to all Americans by 2025. Active engagement includes:
- Regularly interacting with other partners on the Forj platform (to build capacity among partners and share best practices that accelerate solar in various markets);
- Sharing data and information with the Partnership, when possible, to inform research efforts and the NCSP+ design; and
- Setting ambitious goals within your organization around increasing access to distributed solar and reporting your progress at regular intervals.
Forj Platform
Much of the collaboration in the Partnership occurs on the Forj platform. Forj allows Partners to connect with each other, share resources and opportunities, and create discussion groups based on specific distributed solar topics or issues. The U.S. Department of Energy and other founding partners often share program updates, research, and available opportunities on the platform.
How Do I Join NCSP+?
To become a Partner in NCSP+, first visit the Forj platform and complete the registration form. Once your registration has been processed, you will receive an email with instructions to create an account and begin engaging with other partners and resources.
Partnership is at the individual level, so multiple representatives from your organization are encouraged to join. If you have any questions about your partnership status or the registration process, please email [email protected].