SOLARIZE GARYSolar. Simple. Together

Deb BackhusSr. Environmental Scientist/EngineerSouth Shore Clean CitiesPartner with Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission

SOLARIZE GARYSolar. Simple. Together

Solarize NWI is being coordinated by The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission South Shore Clean Cities.

Funding to support the Solarize campaign is provided by:

U.S Department Of Energy SunShot Initiative

Rooftop Solar Challenge

AGENDA

What is Solarize? Benefits of Solar Solar Myths Solar PV Basics Solarize Gary Meet your Solarize

Installer Costs and Benefits Getting Started

SOLARIZE GARYSolar. Simple. Together

What is SOLARIZE?

“Groupon for Solar Panels”Multiple residents go solar with a

single installer

Price goes down the more people sign up

Community organization vets contractor and negotiates price

Limited time to participate

Where is SOLARIZE?

Over 200 Campaigns in 20 States

Thousands of homes Solarized!

General SOLARIZE process

Select Installer

Marketing &

WorkshopsEnrollment Site Assessment

Decision &

Installation

More details later about SOLARIZEGARY

Benefits of Solar

To You

Save on your Electric Bill• Typical home saves $800-900/year• Protect against future rate

increases

Increases Home Resale Value• Solar homes sell 20% faster• 17% more than non-solar comps

Federal Tax Credit• 30 % of installation cost

To Your Community

Solar Creates Jobs• 142,000 US jobs in 2013• Grew 10 x faster than overall economy• A new job is created for every 4

residential solar installations in NWI Solar creates economic value

• Each new residential solar creates $29.61 economic value for NWI.

Environmental Benefits• Solar energy reduces air pollution and • Produces no greenhouse gas

emissions

Common Myths

It’s not sunny enough

Solar Panels are Fragile

Too Expensive/Too subsidized

Costs jobs/Hurts the Economy

New -Untested Technology

Unattractive/Hurts property values

Dangerous Glare

Not Enough Sun in NWI?

Indiana

What About All That Snow? Will they be storm damaged?

Go Solar Today!

10

Yes, snow shuts down your solar array (temporarily) when it blocks the light.

BUT. . .• There is very little sun in the winter. • December, January and February =

about 5% of yearly sun• If snow covers your panels for a few

weeks, you are losing very little energy production.

• Panels can withstand 2 inch hail, 90 mph wind.

Solar is too expensive

Solar installation costs are dropping rapidly. They went down 36% in three years between 2010 and 2013.

“New Technology”

Solar PV PerformanceSome systems have been in place since the 70s

Demonstrated 80 percent of original output after 25 years

Solar PV Basics

NEED DIRECT SUNLIGHT!

Sunlight dislodges electrons in a layer of silicon

Electrons flow to layer that needs electrons

How do PV Panels Work

How does a Solar PV System Work?

Grid-connected projects (standard for Solarize) apply for Net Metering (utilitymeter spins backwards)

Power outage: Inverter shuts down, unless a battery-back up system isinstalled

What is Net Metering

Credits generated when system is producing more than is being used• – “Meter runs backwards”

Excess credits are carried over month- to -month

• Once a year NIPSCO (or REMC) zeroes out.

Receive credits at retail rate

What makes a good site ?

Southern exposure PV panels angled 30˚ – 45˚ At least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight Open roof area of ~100 sq ft per 1 kW Open space for a ground or pole

mounted system Shading can have significant impact.Installer is the expert in feasibility for

your site!

Homes Best for Solar

Why Go Solar Now?

There has never been a better time to go Solar. 30% Federal Tax Credit on installation cost expires in 2016.

Solar Hardware costs are less than they have ever been

Solarize Gary makes it easier and less expensive than ever!

Net Metering reduces long term energy bills.

NIPSCO’s Feed-in-Tariff provide an additional incentive opportunity for customers in NWI.

Let’s Solarize GARY!

Solarize is a way to make Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems more affordable and less complicated for regular people.

It’s like a GROUPON for Solar!

Solarize campaigns have been conducted all over the country, from New England, to Upstate New York, to Texas, to North Carolina

Solarize Syracuse Results:

4 Towns 500 Initial Sign Ups120 Eligible Homes77 Installations530 kW Capacity30% Cost saving

What is Solarize NWI & Solarize GARY?

Solarize = Solar Simplified

Simplified with Pre-Qualified Installer

Selection CriteriaQuality and ValueExperienceImplementation and CapacityPrice Structure

Request for Proposals November 2014Sent to over 30 installers in Indiana and the Great Lakes Region identified through

• Indiana Renewable Energy Association• North American of Board Certified

Energy PractitionersReceived 4 Proposals

Reviewed Proposals with 6 members of our Solar Advisory Group:

NIRPCSouth Shore Clean CitiesMunicipalityBankIndiana Office of Energy

DevelopmentIUN School of Public & Environmental Affairs

Interviewed Top 2 Scoring Installers

Simplify with Outreach and Technical Support

Workshops in Solarize Communities –Solarize Communities Can win up to a 3 kW System!Solarize DyerSolarize GarySolarize HobartSolarize Valpo

Regionwide Outreach Technical Workshops for Local GovernmentsSolar Permitting Best PracticesSolar Zoning Best PracticesSolar PV and First Responders

SOLARIZE NWI Pricing Tiers

Total NWI kiloWattsInstalled

15 kW-50 kW 50 kW-100kW 100 kW-200 kW 200 + kW

Price per Watt $ 3.95 $ 3.85 $ 3.50 $3.28

Number Typical Residential installs

3-10 10-20 20-40 >40

Factors affecting individual cost number of panels inverter and product selection rooftop, on ground or shaded parking

roof material, height, slope and access location of site and travel time government rules

Solar Incentives

Tax Incentives Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit – 30%

of Cost Federal Business Energy Investment Tax Credit Indiana State Property Tax Deduction

Solar Renewable Energy Credits Currently $20/kW in Ohio Market

NIPSCO Incentives

Net MeteringCredit on your NIPSCO bill for energy you return to the grid

NIPSCO is like your virtual battery

You can sell your Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs)

Feed-in Tariff – Phase IIEnrolling now through June 1Awarded by Lottery

Micro Solar (5-10 kW) $0.17 /kWInt. Solar (10 – 200 kw) $0.15 /kW

15 year contractNIPSCO keeps your SRECs

Let’s Do the Math5 kilowattExample

MarketPrice

SOLARIZE NWI Price(100-200kW tier)

Solarize NWI Best Price

Price * $21,150 $17,500 $ 16,400

Federal Tax Credit $ 6,345 $ 5,250 $ 4,920

Net Price $ 14,805 $ 12,250 $ 11,480

What does that buy you?

~ 7,000 kWh/year • (60-65% of typical residential electric use)

Estimate $ 800-900/year savings at current electricity rates 30 year life span (25 year warranty) 9 year cash flow pay back

More math: what about my electric bill?

kWh usage/production

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

Jan Feb Mar April May June Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

kWh

usag

e or

pro

duct

ion

Monthly Energy Usage & Expected Solar Production (5 kW array example)

"Home usage -kWh "Solar PV production - kWh

Pre Solar Annual Usage = 11,015 kWh

Post Solar Installation Annual Usage= 3846 kWh

65% reduction in kWh usage charged to your electric bill

More math: what about my electric bill?

Costs

$0

$20

$40

$60

$80

$100

$120

$140

$160

Jan Feb Mar April May June Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

Elec

tric

Bill

Cos

t in

$

Electric Bill Costs Pre and Post Solar PV Installation (5 kW array example) Electric bill before Solar

Electric bill after Solar

Pre Solar Annual Electric Costs = $1,434

Post Solar Installation Annual Electric Costs = $510

SAVINGS INCREASE AS ELECTRICITY COST RISE OVER TIME

Estimated Payback Period for a net installation cost of $13,871 = 9.8 years

More Math

What does that buy the environment?

175 ton CO2 Equivalent =

Planting 4,101 trees

Driving 352,000 miles less, or reducing gas use by 17,952 gallons

Recycling 556 tons of waste

85.7 tons of coal burned

How do you help Solarize Gary?

How Solarize Gary works:

1. Sign up online atwww.solarizenwi.com, click onSolarize Gary or here a theworkshop.

2. Midwest Wind and Solar will contact you to provide a free no-obligation assessment over the phone. (or call them direct toll free at (866) 430-0518)

3. Midwest Wind and Solar can review yourhome’s solar potential with on-line tools,and if solar is a good option for you, willschedule a free home solar assessment.

http://www.solarizenwi.com/

How Solarize Dyer works:

4. Midwest Wind and Solar will conduct an on-site solar assessment at your home, walk you through a proposed system design, provide you with a detailed financial proposal, and answer any questions you may have.

Installation CostAdditional costs needed for your homeCurrent and Projected Energy Cost SavingsProjected Increases in Assessed Property Value Incentives valueExplanation of Financing Options (if requested)

How Solarize Gary works:

5. If you decide to proceed, sign an installation contract and spread the word! Your cost will go down as more folks in the region commit to SOLARIZE.

6. After the July 10th closing date, everyone with a contract will get the lowest rate corresponding with our Solarize NWI sign up success!

If Solarize Gary meets certain targets the Town can win free solar ranging from a classroom kit, to a 3 kW array with a data monitor and display tablet.

Win Free Solar for Gary!

If Dyer meets or exceeds: 30 kW installed:

- PV solar experimentation kit for classroom use

50 kW installed: 1kW PH solar array on community building

80kW installed: 3kW solar array

100kW installed: 3 kW array, plus a data monitor and tablet for display.

The More the Merrier! More signups = lower price! Invite your friends. It’s a GROUPON! Tell your Friends and Neighbors!Your price goes down if more people sign up.

Contracts signed before July 10thwill still get the lowest final price!

We’ll be posting on social media and emailing every week with details on how many kW in your town, the region, and the latest price. Like us on Facebook:

A household is

more likely to adopt solar

for

each additional installation in their zip code

https://www.facebook.com/solarizenwi

Decisions-Decisions…

Limited Time Offer!

Go to SolarizeNWI.com to

www.nirpc.org/environment/solarize-nwi

Next Community Workshop:Solarize Hobart, May 18, 20156:30 – 8 PMHobart Community Center

Solarize Valpo, May 21, 20156 – 8 PM (includes tour of solar system)Porter County Career & Technical Center

Stay Tuned for more @

Solarizenwi.comhttps://www.facebook.com/solarizenwi

https://secure.jotform.us/form/50994448118161https://secure.jotform.us/form/50994448118161

Questions?

Kathy Lutherkluther@nirpc.org219.763.6060

Deb Backhus dbackhus@southshorecleancities.org219.644.3695

Kevin MooreKevin@midwestwindandsolar.com219.714.2488

mailto:kluther@nirpc.orgmailto:dbackhus@southshorecleancities.orgmailto:Kevin@midwestwindandsolar.com

SOLARIZE GARY�Solar. Simple. TogetherSOLARIZE GARY�Solar. Simple. TogetherWhat is SOLARIZE?Where is SOLARIZE?General SOLARIZE processBenefits of SolarCommon MythsNot Enough Sun in NWI?What About All That Snow? �Will they be storm damaged? Solar is too expensive“New Technology”� Solar PV BasicsHow do PV Panels WorkHow does a Solar PV System Work?What is Net MeteringWhat makes a good site ?Homes Best for SolarWhy Go Solar Now? Let’s Solarize GARY!What is Solarize NWI & Solarize GARY?Solarize = Solar SimplifiedSimplified with Pre-Qualified InstallerSimplify with Outreach and Technical Support SOLARIZE NWI Pricing TiersSolar IncentivesNIPSCO IncentivesLet’s Do the MathMore math: what about my electric bill?� kWh usage/productionMore math: what about my electric bill? �CostsMore MathHow do you help Solarize Gary? How Solarize Gary works: How Solarize Dyer works: How Solarize Gary works: Win Free Solar for Gary!The More the Merrier! �More signups = lower price! �Invite your friends. Decisions-Decisions…Go to SolarizeNWI.com to �Questions? Slide Number 41Slide Number 42Slide Number 43Slide Number 44