Solar Energy in Utility Integrated Resource Plans: Factors That Can Impact Customer Clean Energy Goals

The document identifies that Integrated Resource Plans (IRPs) are critical for solar development and customer clean energy targets, but are often hindered by outdated technology assumptions and unfair modeling practices. It aims to inform large-scale customers, utilities, and regulators about these barriers to increase solar energy in the grid mix.

• Integrated Resource Plans (IRPs) are used by electric utilities to establish long-term resource development visions, making them a primary influence on solar energy deployment and the achievement of customer clean energy targets.
• The inclusion of solar energy in IRPs is often restricted by the use of unfounded or outdated assumptions regarding solar technology and modeling methods that prevent solar from competing equitably with other energy resources.
• Barriers within the IRP process can lead to a reduction in the volume of solar energy integrated into the grid or offered via utility programs, which directly impedes the ability of customers to reach their clean energy targets.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). Solar Energy in Utility Integrated Resource Plans: Factors That Can Impact Customer Clean Energy Goals. https://www.wri.org/research/solar-energy-utility-integrated-resource-plans

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Solar Energy in Utility Integrated Resource Plans: Factors That Can Impact Customer Clean Energy Goals. n.d. https://www.wri.org/research/solar-energy-utility-integrated-resource-plans.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Solar Energy in Utility Integrated Resource Plans: Factors That Can Impact Customer Clean Energy Goals |url=https://www.wri.org/research/solar-energy-utility-integrated-resource-plans |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendsolar, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Solar Energy in Utility Integrated Resource Plans: Factors That Can Impact Customer Clean Energy Goals}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://www.wri.org/research/solar-energy-utility-integrated-resource-plans}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }