EXECUTIVE ABSTRACT
This document defines a standardized, ERCOT-aligned data model for physically settled solar forward commitments. Its purpose is to enable deterministic settlement, auditability, and commercial comparability across counterparties and technology implementations.
This standard applies only to physically settled ERCOT solar forwards tied to a single generation resource and ERCOT Settlement Point. It does not apply to financial derivatives, environmental attributes, non-solar assets, non-ERCOT markets, or portfolio-level abstractions.
The standard is representational. Bilateral contracts govern rights, obligations, and cashflows. ERCOT settlement data remains authoritative. The model exists to describe, reconcile, and audit outcomes, not to create them.
1. INTENDED AUDIENCE
This standard is intended for energy market participants, counterparties, platform developers, and service providers involved in the structuring, execution, settlement, and reconciliation of physically settled ERCOT solar forward transactions.
2. OBJECTIVE
Define a standardized representation of a physically settled ERCOT solar forward commitment that supports institutional execution, transparent reconciliation, and audit-ready lifecycle tracking.
3. SCOPE
Included:
• Physically settled ERCOT solar forwards
• Unitized MWh positions tied to a single ERCOT Settlement Point (generation resource node)
• As-produced solar generation settled through ERCOT
• ERCOT-authoritative settlement identifiers and results
Excluded:
• Financial swaps or purely financial instruments
• Bundled or standalone environmental attributes
• Non-solar assets - Non-ERCOT markets
• Portfolio-level aggregation across multiple resources
4. CORE OBJECTS
Forward Position
A unitized forward commitment defined by quantity, counterparties, delivery point, tenor, and price.
Contract Reference
An identifier linking to the governing bilateral agreement. Legal terms, credit provisions, and remedies remain off-model. Delivery Profile The standardized solar delivery hours applicable to the Forward Position.
Settlement Reference
ERCOT-authoritative identifiers governing settlement point, operating day, and settlement interval.
Lifecycle State
The position state over time: issued, active, settled, retired. Transitions are governed by contract execution and ERCOT settlement processes.
5. GOVERNING PRINCIPLES
• Representational, not constitutive
• Bilateral contracts govern claims and cashflows
• ERCOT settlement data is authoritative
• Auditability and deterministic reconciliation take precedence over flexibility
6. TECHNOLOGY POSTURE
This standard is technology-agnostic and may be implemented across internal systems, registries, or platforms without prescribing architecture or infrastructure.
7. STANDARDIZED ATTRIBUTE TREATMENT (NORMATIVE)
7.1 Solar Production Hours
ERCOT settlement intervals with realized metered generation greater than zero.
7.2 Standardized Solar Delivery Profiles
A fixed, monthly set of standardized solar delivery hour blocks defined for commercial structuring and comparability, reconciled to actual ERCOT settlement results.
7.3 Unit Size and Aggregation
The canonical unit is one megawatt-hour per ERCOT settlement interval per Settlement Point. Aggregation occurs solely through summation of canonical units.
7.4 Required ERCOT Settlement Identifiers
• Settlement Point identifier
• Operating Day - Settlement Interval
• Associated Resource identifier
• Settlement run designation
7.5 Lifecycle Transition Triggers
• Issued → Active: contract execution
• Active → Settled: posting of the applicable ERCOT settlement run
• Settled → Retired: contractual close-out
7.6 Transfer Treatment
Forward Positions are non-transferable by default. Transfers are permitted only where expressly allowed by contract and require issuance of a new Forward Position identifier.
7.7 Negative Pricing Intervals
Negative pricing intervals are included and settled as realized using ERCOT-published prices.
8. VERSION CONTROL
This document constitutes version v0.9 of the ERCOT Solar Forwards Data Model Charter. Ochsner Interests, Inc. controls versioning, publication, and supersession. Prior versions are not authoritative once superseded.
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© 2026 Ochsner Interests, Inc. All rights reserved. This document is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer or create contractual obligations. Bilateral agreements govern all transactions. No rights to implement or commercialize the concepts described are granted without prior written consent from Ochsner Interests, Inc.
