Path-Q Solar

How should a landlord compare solar proposals when one includes ongoing tenant education about energy use and the other does not?

Answer

Treat tenant education as a potentially valuable operating service, but assign value only if it has a defined audience, measurable objectives, delivery schedule, and credible link to increased solar use or reduced consumption.

Key points

  • Identify whether tenants control meaningful loads or can shift usage to solar-production periods.
  • Compare the education plan's frequency, materials, languages, accessibility, and provider responsibility.
  • Define measurable outcomes such as participation, load timing, consumption, or complaint reduction.
  • Include the service's duration, renewal, and post-installation support in the comparison.

What it depends on

  • Tenant metering and control over electricity use
  • Expected generation and self-consumption profile
  • Tenant turnover and engagement levels
  • Scope and cost of the education service

Risks and trade-offs

  • Education may have little effect where tenants cannot control loads or are billed through fixed arrangements.
  • Benefits can be difficult to attribute and may decline as tenants change.
  • Paying for engagement can be less valuable than improving system design or controls.

Information you may need

  • Tenant billing and metering structure
  • Education deliverables and performance measures
  • Estimated incremental energy benefit
  • Comparable price for obtaining the service separately

Your next step

What to do next

Ask both providers to price and describe the same tenant-engagement program with measurable outcomes, then include only supportable benefits in the financial model.

Path-Q

Find the right next step

Answer a few questions and we’ll narrow your options.

Loading…

SQ03167