grid alternatives solar - ee in home workshop
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GRID Alternatives
Generating Renewable Ideas for Development Alternatives
Solar for Low-Income HomeownersIncorporating Solar Energy Into City Programs
June 10 & 12, 2008
Erica MackieExecutive DirectorGRID Alternatives
GRID Alternatives
Generating Renewable Ideas for Development Alternatives
Outline•Introduction to GRID Alternatives•Solar Basics and Benefits•Economics of Solar
•Rebates•Tax Credits
•City Housing Programs and Solar•The California Solar Initiative & The Future
GRID Alternatives
Generating Renewable Ideas for Development Alternatives
Background
Non-profit organization
CA licensed C-10 electrical contractor
Mission: to empower communitiesin need by providing renewable energy and energy efficiency services, equipment and training
GRID Alternatives
Generating Renewable Ideas for Development Alternatives
Energy Efficiency Team ProgramVolunteer teams perform energy upgrades and water conservation measures for low-income, elderly, and disabled homeowners in partnership with local chapters of Rebuilding Together.
GRID Alternatives
Generating Renewable Ideas for Development Alternatives
Solar Affordable Housing Program
Volunteer recruitment and training to provide free installation of solar electric systems
GRID Alternatives
Generating Renewable Ideas for Development Alternatives
Solar BasicsPhoto – voltaic
Solar Electric Systems:- Use the sun’s light, not heat-Offset electricity usage not gas - Different from solar hot water and thermal systems-Grid-tied not off grid
GRID Alternatives
Generating Renewable Ideas for Development Alternatives
Why Solar for Low-Income Families•Environment
Reduction of green house gases
•Environmental JusticePower plants often sited in low-income communitiesHigh rates of asthma
•Economic High energy costsSignificant savings
GRID Alternatives
Generating Renewable Ideas for Development Alternatives
Why Local Housing Departments?Know their communities and are mission driven
Provide breadth of rehab services tailored to low-income families•Enable homeowners to continue living safely in their homes•Low-income homes often not solar ready (roofs, fuses)
Able to offer loan terms that can make it possible for day one positive cash flow
Flexible so homeowners are not in jeopardy of defaulting on bankloan and losing their home
GRID Alternatives
Generating Renewable Ideas for Development Alternatives
Why A Non-Profit?Mission to serve low-income families
Outreach and education are as important as design and installationHow to maintain a solar electric systemHow to read and understand changes to utility bill How to use energy responsibly
Sweat equity investment gives a greater sense of ownership
Free installation makes solar affordable for low-income families
Community involvement educates and brings together the whole community and proves solar is a viable solution in any community
Provides “hands-on” experience for job training programs
GRID Alternatives
Generating Renewable Ideas for Development Alternatives
Working TogetherStep 1. Client identified either by GRID Alternatives or by Housing Dept
GRID Alternatives
Generating Renewable Ideas for Development Alternatives
Working TogetherStep 2. GRID conducts site visit and determines solar feasibility
• Is there adequate roof space?-120 square feet per kW for pitched roof-175 square feet per kW for flat roof
• Is the roof space unshaded?• Is the roof space facing south or southwest?• If working on retrofit project, is the roof in good condition or is reroofing planned?
GRID Alternatives
Generating Renewable Ideas for Development Alternatives
Step 3. GRID educates homeowner and provides costs/savings numbers
Determine system size by matching system output with annual electricity use
-Accounting for energy efficiency savings
-Be conservative to avoid oversizing system
Working Together
GRID Alternatives
Generating Renewable Ideas for Development Alternatives
Working TogetherStep 4. Housing Dept conducts site visit and determines
additional scope of work, helps hire other contractors, and processes loan
Housing Rehabilitation Program
Home Improvement Program Neighborhood Services
Program
HUD – CDBGLoansGrants
GRID Alternatives
Generating Renewable Ideas for Development Alternatives
Working TogetherStep 5. GRID coordinates directly with roofer and electrical contractor
GRID Alternatives
Generating Renewable Ideas for Development Alternatives
Working TogetherStep 6. GRID processes all rebate, utility, and permit paperwork
-Submit rebate reservation-Order materials-Pull permit-Submit utility interconnection agreement-Pass inspections-Submit Incentive Claim Form
GRID Alternatives
Generating Renewable Ideas for Development Alternatives
Working TogetherStep 7. GRID conducts mandatory training for volunteers
GRID Alternatives
Generating Renewable Ideas for Development Alternatives
Working TogetherStep 8. Housing Dept issues check from loan payable to solar
equipment supplier
GRID Alternatives
Generating Renewable Ideas for Development Alternatives
Working TogetherStep 9. GRID installs system once all other rehab work is complete
GRID Alternatives
Generating Renewable Ideas for Development Alternatives
Working TogetherStep 10. GRID provides warranty and homeowner follow up and education
Industry-standard warranties:25-year Module warranty15-year Inverter warranty10-year Labor warranty
GRID Alternatives
Generating Renewable Ideas for Development Alternatives
Retail Cost of System•Cost of System Retail
•Panels (approx. $6 per Watt)•Inverter (approx. $1 per Watt)•Balance of System (approx. $1 per Watt)•Installation (approx. $1-2 per Watt)
1.7 KW system approximately $16-$17k
GRID Alternatives
Generating Renewable Ideas for Development Alternatives
Available RebatesCSI – California Solar Initiative
•Administered by PG&E, SCE, and California Center for Sustainable Energy (San Diego)•Existing homes or buildings•$1.90 – $2.50/Watt•Increased rebate for government and non-profit owned buildings•Decreases as MW goals are met
GRID Alternatives
Generating Renewable Ideas for Development Alternatives
New Solar Homes Partnership•Administered by California Energy Commission•New Construction•$2.50/Watt for under 6 units•$2.60/Watt for over 6 units with at least 50% solar•Increased rebate for affordable housing projects
Available Rebates
GRID Alternatives
Generating Renewable Ideas for Development Alternatives
Tax CreditsFederal Tax Credit
•30% of out of pocket cost (after rebate)•$2,000 cap for residential and no cap for commercial•Homeowner must have tax liability to take advantage of it
GRID Alternatives
Generating Renewable Ideas for Development Alternatives
Economic Benefit to the HomeownerTypical Size of PV System 1.7 kWRetail Cost of PV System ($9.50/W) $16,150Rebate (CSI Incentive As of 5/6/08) $ 4,250Net Cost of PV System (with free installation from GRID Alternatives)
$ 6,800
Estimated Monthly Savings $ 45 /monthEstimated Savings Over System Lifetime $16,200Net Savings to Homeowner $9,400
GRID Alternatives
Generating Renewable Ideas for Development Alternatives
The California Solar InitiativeAnd Low-Income Families
$216 Million Set Aside for Low-Income Families • $108M to go to multi-family rental affordable housing• $108M to go to single family homeowner program• Will substantially subsidize solar for low-income families• In SCE, SDG&E and PG&E territories• RFP recently released by SCE/California Public Utilities Commission
GRID Alternatives
Generating Renewable Ideas for Development Alternatives
Making it happen Now• Approximately $6,000–7,000 per home in home rehab loan funds• Funding to support GRID Alternatives services
Making it happen in the Future (As early as September 2008)• Potentially only $3,000 per home required in home rehab loan funds• No additional support required for homeowner education, system installation
(i.e. GRID Alternatives)
The California Solar InitiativeAnd Low-Income Families
GRID Alternatives
Generating Renewable Ideas for Development Alternatives
GRID Alternatives1610 Harrison Street, Ste C
Oakland, CA 94612www.gridalternatives.orgTel: 510-550-8535 x314
Erica [email protected]