This month, as promised, we’ll dive into updates on the work we’ve been doing behind the scenes to prepare for city-wide A2SEU expansion in 2027, and share more about the timeline moving forward. This work – on staffing, software, processes, and more – is far less visible, but is essential to getting ready to scale. So without further ado, here’s a little peek at we’ve been up to at our desks in City Hall!
Staffing
We are a very lean team! This fall we welcomed two new team members, intern Tamanna Sengupta and strategy and operations manager Marisa Ayala. You can read a bit about their backgrounds on Our Team. URL
Preparing IT systems
We are busy implementing two core software solutions: one that manages customer and account information and billing, and another that allows us to monitor system performance and dispatch batteries on-demand. The first system will streamline the application and account creation process for new customers, allow you to view and pay bills online, request a move-in-move-out (say, for a change in tenants at a rental property), and more. The second will allow A2SEU staff to see how much energy is being produced and stored across the fleet, receive alerts for problems that may indicate maintenance is required, and schedule batteries to power customers’ homes at the most valuable time.
Designing our “Product” (System) Options
We are preparing a catalog of “product” (system) offerings. You can expect choices of small, medium, and large solar configurations (ranging from about 8 to 24 panels, or 4 to 12 kilowatts of capacity), most offered with a whole-home backup battery included. We will help each customer evaluate which size(s) will fit on their building and meet their energy needs.
Preparing Rates and Financing
We are developing rates, which will be subject to City Council approval. Rates will be designed to recover the cost of service as the A2SEU grows. Ratemaking requires incredibly complex analysis – especially for a startup utility like us – with inputs assumptions about how many customers we serve how quickly, prices for equipment and installation, grants received, staffing and maintenance needs, and much more. At the same time, we’re seeking financing for the costs of the systems – which the A2SEU will bear, so that you, customers, will pay no money upfront.
Process Development
As a pilot, the Bryant Neighborhood deployments have provided learnings that we’re translating into improved processes for our expansion in 2027. We’ve learned about the kinds of communication residents need and want from us throughout the process, and prepared materials like a timeline for installation and a system operation “manual.” We’ve learned about the kinds of mistakes, or surprises, that slow down permitting and inspection approvals and system turn-on, so we can look for these ahead of time, and design them out where possible.
