Overview for Installers Making Solar Simple
What is “solarize?” • Developed in Portland, Oregon in 2010, “solarization” is a grassroots effort to accelerate residential solar deployment through: o Community education o Customer aggregation o Lower prices • Solarize campaigns work with contractors selected through a competitive bidding process to offer a limited-time, discounted offer for solar installations
Previous/ current solarization efforts • Solarize programs can be Metro/Neighborhood initiative. structured at the Statewide/Several Cities. neighborhood, city, or metro level, with some states offering programs covering multiple cities • Solarize Michigan would be the first solarization project in Michigan, second in the Midwest
Why Michigan, why Great Lakes Bay, why now? • Despite large solar industry, Michigan is home to just 0.2% of national solar deployment • The Great Lakes Bay region is the home of the Michigan solar industry • Strong, committed local partners • Solid base of previous solar activity • Federal ITC extended in Dec. 2015 • Greater certainty makes this ideal time for this initiative
Benefits of Solarize campaigns • Benefits to homeowners/ small businesses – Save money on on energy costs – Satisfaction of generating some of their own energy • Benefits to solar installers – Customer acquisition and “lead” screening – Expands market by increasing visibility and “solar contagion” • Benefits to the community – Builds on and expands region’s reputation as leader in solar energy – Attract more jobs and investment
Solarize Michigan partners Project Manager: Technical Consultant: Local Partners: Funded by:
Project Timeline • Feb. 18 – Selection of partner installers • Feb. 29 – Formal public launch • March 1-31 – Community outreach – Informational workshop in each target community – Webinars and other information presentation • April – Begin enrollment of Solarize customers • May 1-Oct. 31 – Installation time period • Nov. 2016 – Project evaluation and publication of results
The Roadmap to Considering Solar 8
Solar Electricity 9
Key Things to Remember • $/watt - all arrays are different in size, so the basic unit of measurement is price per watt. • A typical home needs between 5 and 6 kW. • Solar is an investment, like any home improvement project. – Like other home improvements, financing is available • You will still get the use the grid, ensuring the lights will always come on.
Economics of Solar • Over 8% a year return on your investment • Pay back is site specific – Generally from 5 to 10 years. Solar warranties are for 25 years. So a minimum of 15 to 20 years of free energy • Pay back money comes from what you would have paid the Utility anyway • Hedge against inflation. Electricity costs continue to rise. (Consumers filed last month for an additional $344 million increase in rates) 11
Solar Installation Types • Roof mount – Lower cost – Panels face the same direction(s) as the roof • Ground mount array – Slightly higher install cost – Panels face true south at optimum angle Page 12
Residential Pitched Roof Mount 4.275 kW 13
Residential Raised Rib Metal Roof – 6.84kW 14
Cass Tech 20kW
Steps to Getting Solar 1. Attend a solarize workshop 2. Sign up for a site visit at www.solarizemichigan.com 3. Contractor will work with you to determine your solar system size and configuration 4. Get your price quote – decide to Go Solar! 5. Contractor coordinates permits and inspections 6. Installations should be timely 7. All workmanship and parts are warranted 8. Your energy supply is interconnected. 9. Save on electricity costs for years to come!
Relevant Property Questions • What kind of property is it? Home or business? • Do you own or rent? • What is your monthly electric bill? • Who is your electric utility? • How old is your roof? • How much roof shade do you get?
How to Make Solar Work for Your Budget 18
Making Solar More Affordable • Suniva will be offering black on black panels at a discounted rate as the exclusive panels for the campaign. • McNaughton McKay will also be offering inverters and racking systems at a discounted rate. 19
Federal Investment Tax Credit • Extended in 2015 for 5 more years. • Offers a solar investment credit equal to 30% of the installation costs. • You can take the federal credit over 2 years. • You qualify once construction commences. 20
Michigan Saves! • Michigan Saves! is a nonprofit that helps lower people’s utility bill through low -interest loans. • Signing up is easy - working directly with your contractor • They can give you loans for up to 10 years, lasting the length of the payback period • Cash positive 21
Other Financing • Home equity loans and refinancing are also an option. 22
Net Energy Metering • Allows you to produce your energy while ensuring you can use the grid when you need it. • When the sun is shining you get a credit for any energy you don’t use • At night or when the sun isn’t shining, your credits offset the power you get from your utlity. • Concept is to “net out” your energy billl over the year. 23
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Thank you! Stephen Wooden Program Manager, IEI stephen@instituteforenergyinnovation.org (616) 304-5555 www.solarizemichigan.com 25
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