The search for funding has led the solar industry down many roads, from the mainstay of state renewable portfolio standard procurements, to the rising driver of voluntary retail customer procurements, to projects enabled through federal PURPA regulations. 7X Energy wants to add a new category -- solar block-and-index contracts. 

This week, the Texas-based utility-scale developer unveiled a concept for SolarBlocks, which entails bundling solar projects within the standard retail energy deals available in competitive markets. Built to ensure “additionality,” they're a new way for corporate customers to invest in solar for its energy and regulatory benefits, while keeping their energy bills the same or lower than they are today. 

7X’s SolarBlocks will soon be available via yet-to-be-named retail energy partners, CEO Clay Butler said in an interview. Butler is the former head of Texas energy consultancy The Butler Group, and he co-founded 7X in April 2016. Since then, the company has lined up about 4,200 megawatts in its development pipeline, with between 1,000 and 2,000 megawatts set to be in construction next year, he said.