Community-Scale Solar Strategy Project Market Research

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) numbered DEQ-RFP2020-520024 for a Community-Scale Solar Strategy Project Market Research contract. The procurement seeks comprehensive market research to increase access to solar energy options throughout Montana by collecting detailed insights about community solar interests and preferences. Specific objectives include clarifying Montanans' motivations, financial tolerances, and purchasing program attitudes related to community solar projects, which are defined as solar photovoltaic arrays where customers can rent, lease, purchase shares, or subscribe to energy output portions. The research aims to reduce upfront market research costs for electricity providers and provide greater certainty for potential community solar project development. The solicitation was open from September 13, 2019, to September 30, 2019, with a targeted delivery of market research insights that can inform future solar energy strategies. The project will utilize commodity codes for Energy Assessment Services and Market Research Services, with an expectation of producing comprehensive research deliverables that illuminate community solar market potential.

The awarded contract, ultimately granted to Johnson Consulting Group LLC, was executed with Net 30 payment terms. While the specific document does not explicitly outline set-aside designations or disadvantaged enterprise requirements, the research is designed to benefit a broad range of electricity providers and stakeholders in Montana's renewable energy ecosystem. The contract appears to have standard market research scope, focusing on gathering and analyzing data about community solar preferences without significant restrictions on respondent qualifications. The RFP utilized standard procurement protocols for a state-level market research initiative, with no indication of specific vendor reservations or integration requirements with existing technological infrastructure. Though the exact contract value is not specified in the provided documentation, the project represents a strategic investment in understanding community solar market dynamics and potential expansion opportunities within Montana's energy landscape.