The solar-electric submodule represents both photovoltaic and high-temperature thermal electric (concentrating solar power) installations.  Only central-station, grid-connected applications constructed by a utility or independent power producer are considered in this portion of the model. 

The solar-electric submodule provides the EMM with time-of-day and seasonal solar availability data for each region, as well as current costs.  The EMM uses this data to evaluate the cost and performance of solar-electric technologies in regional grid applications.  The commercial and residential demand modules of NEMS also model photovoltaic systems installed by consumers, as discussed in the demand module descriptions under “Distributed Generation.”

The landfill gas submodule provides annual projections of electricity generation from methane from landfills (landfill gas). The submodule uses the quantity of municipal solid waste (MSW) that is produced, the proportion of MSW that will be recycled, and the methane emission characteristics of three types of landfills to produce projections of the future electric power generating capacity from landfill gas.  The amount of methane available is calculated by first determining the amount of total waste generated in the United States. The amount of total waste generated is derived from an econometric equation that uses gross domestic product and population as the projection drivers. It is assumed that no new mass burn waste–to–energy (MSW) facilities will be built and operated during the projection period in the United States.  It is also assumed that operational mass-burn facilities will continue to operate and retire as planned throughout the projection period. The landfill gas submodule passes cost and performance characteristics of the landfill gas–to–electricity technology to the EMM for capacity planning decisions. The amount of new land-fill-gas-to-electricity capacity competes with other technologies using supply curves that are based on the amount of high, medium, and low methane producing landfills located in each EMM region.

The biomass fuels submodule provides biomass-fired plant technology characterizations (capital costs, operating costs, capacity factors, etc.) and fuel information for EMM, thereby allowing biomass-fueled power plants to compete with other electricity generating technologies. 

Biomass fuel prices are represented by a supply curve constructed according to the accessibility of resources to the electricity generation sector.  The supply curve employs resource inventory and cost data for four categories of biomass fuel - urban wood waste and mill residues, forest residues, energy crops, and agricultural residues. Fuel distribution and preparation cost data are built into these curves. The supply schedule of biomass fuel prices is combined with other variable operating costs associated with burning biomass. The aggregate variable cost is then passed to EMM.

The hydroelectricity submodule provides the EMM the amounts of new hydroelectric capacity that can be built at known and well characterized sites, along with related cost and performance data. The information is expressed in the form of a three–step supply function that represents the aggregate amount of new capacity and associated costs that can be offered in each year in each region. Sites include undeveloped stretches of rivers, existing dams or diversions that do not currently produce power, and existing hydroelectric plants that have known capability to expand operations through the addition of new generating units. Capacity or efficiency improvements through the replacement of existing equipment or changes to operating procedures at a facility are not included in the hydroelectricity supply.