hamilton county solar - solar united neighbors...solar is growing in hamilton county going solar...
TRANSCRIPT
Hamilton County Solar
Fishers Library - August 22, 2019 7 p.m.
Thanks to our Partners & Volunteers!
Hamilton County Board of Commissioners
Carmel Mayor’s Youth Council
Indiana has ample solar resources
SOLAR INTENSITY MAP
Source: NREL
Indiana has more solar resources than Germany, one of the world’s leaders in solar.
Started
in2007 and
it wasn’t
easy!
Residential solar growth in Indiana
Source: www.sirensolar.org
Solar is growing in Indiana
IURC expands Net Metering.
Solarize Indiana formed in response to anti-solar bill.
Updated 2019 5
Solar is growing in Hamilton County
Going Solar • Makes Financial Sense• Saves Tax DollarsNet Metering is key financial comp.
4,800 solar panels Sand Creek Elementary, Sand Creek Intermediate and HSE Intermediate and Junior High.The solar panels projected annual output of 2.4 million kWh enough energy to power 294 homes.
Hamilton Southeastern Schools 2019
Hamilton County Solar2017-201830 homeowners went solar
1,013 solar panels installed
297 kW capacity
> $42,000 Annual Energy Savings
> 340 tons Annual CO2 Offset
Hamilton County Solar
George &
Madelyn
30 panels
7.6 kW
WEST FACING
Hamilton County Solar
Paul &
Amy
18 panels
5.4 kW
SOUTH FACING
Hamilton County Solar
John &
Melinda
28 panels
9.1 kW
SOUTHEAST FACING
Hamilton County Solar
David &
Cindy
20 panels
5.4 kW
Hamilton County Solar
$250 INCENTIVE
to the first 10 Hamilton County homeowners to install solar.
Many thanks to Solar Sponsors: HC Commissioner Mark HeirbrandtCarmel Green Initiative members & donors
Solar information sessionHamilton County Solar Co-op
We’re a community of people building a new energy system
with rooftop solar at the cornerstone. We help people
go solar, join together, and fight for their energy rights.
Solar United Neighbors today
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Co-op Membership
• Group process
• 50 – 100 neighbors
• 6-8 month process
• Group selects single
installer
• Bulk negotiation for best
pricing
• Sign individual contract
• Free 1-year membership!
Individual Membership
• Individual process
• Get help reviewing up to 3
proposals
• Negotiate your own deal
• Faster timeline
• Ongoing advice &
assistance (post install)
• $85 annual membership
How we help you go solar
1. Solar technology
2. How solar co-ops work
3. Solar economics
Presentation in three parts
Part 1: Solar technology
How does a solar panel work?
Solar photovoltaic (PV)
Converts solar energy to electricity
Kilowatts (kW) & Kilowatt-hours (kWh)
System measured in kW
Electricity production in kWh
Most homeowners install between 2 kW – 12 kW
Important terminology
3kW Solar System, to scale, using 300W solar panels
System components: Panels
Panel / ModuleImage Source: DuPont
Solar Array
Microinverters
System components: Inverters
String inverter
& DC optimizers
String inverter
How does my my solar connect to my electrical panel?
Simple connection in panel
Most home electric systems don’t need upgrades before solar
System components: Electrical panel
System components: Racking
Stand offs + beams
Pitch pockets
Ballast
Attaching racking to roof
Clamps
Flashing
Standing seam metal roof
Ground-mounted solar
Roof faces south No shading
Enough space to mount panels
What’s a good roof for solar?
What happens when the
power goes out?
When grid is down, solar
shuts off (safety mechanism)
Need batteries if you want you
want power during outages
System components: Batteries
Value of battery storage
Backup
Power for
you
You might want storage if…
• Frequent utility outages
• Critical loads at home (ex. well
pumps, medical equipment)
• Emergency/disaster preparedness
Save money
or get paid
to help the
grid
Want to learn more?
Check out our new Battery
Storage for Homeowners
guide!
www.solarunitedneighbors.org/storage
What is net metering?
Allows flow of electricity to AND from customer.
1kWh produced = 1kWh consumed
When you generate more than you use, extra electricity flows back
through meter and you receive a credit on your electric bill for that
excess production. That credit can roll over month to month.
[Amount electricity used] – [Amount electricity produced]
= Your monthly electricity bill
What is net metering?
Net metering creates a “solar offset” and generates credits that can be used throughout the year
Net metering in Indiana
Net Metering in Indiana is scheduled to phase out: • Systems installed by July 1, 2022 will receive net metering until 2032• Systems installed after 2022 will not receive net metering
When Net Metering ends:• Instead of getting the full 1:1 net metering rate, homeowner will be credited at
the marginal price (typically about 1/3 the cost of retail rate) + 25%
• Warranties?
• Homeowners’ insurance?
• Maintenance?
• Weather damage? Snow cover?
• How long do systems last?
• Will HOA allow solar on my home?
• What if I’m in a historic district?
Frequently asked questions
Part 2: How solar
co-ops work
• Best value on installation
• Support throughout the
process
• Connect with fellow solar
enthusiasts
• Become part of growing
solar movement
Why go solar with the co-op?
Part 2: How Solar Co-ops Work
Co-op members!
Co-op members consider specific installer criteria
including:
• Price
• Equipment quality
• Warranties
• Experience
• Business location
Who picks the installer?
Part 3: Solar economics
Solar is increasingly affordable
• Costs have come down
>90% since the 1970s
• Solar is no longer a
specialty, expensive or
boutique project for a
homeowner
• But, can still be
daunting to tackle
1970’s
Today
Duke and IPL Historical Utility Rates
$0.08
$0.09
$0.09
$0.10
$0.10
$0.11
$0.11
$0.12
$0.12
$0.13
$0.13
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Cen
ts/k
Wh
Year
Historical Utility Rates
Duke IPL Linear (Duke) Linear (IPL)
Duke Proposed Rate Increase
Average* Monthly Electric Bill, $
Over 10 years, avg. bill increased 27%
Proposed new average bill
Avg. customer*
19% increase
$272 more per year
* Average customer uses 1,000 kWh per month.
$ / M
on
th
SOURCE:
Avg. customer* pays $300+ more per year.
Duke Energy Indiana is currently trying to raise your electric bill by 19%!
Duke Proposed Rate Increase
Source: Citizens Action Coalition
Breaking down the cost of solar
50%52%
48% 49%45%
38% 36% 31%
35%
37%
39%33%
38%51%
53%58%
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Soft Costs
Labor
System
Components
Solar co-ops help reduce an
installer’s soft costs so you can
save money.
$/W
Assumptions: 5.7 kW system size, adjusted for inflation, national data.
Citation: Fu, Ran, David Feldman, and Robert Margolis. 2017. “U.S. Solar Photovoltaic System Cost Benchmark Q1 2017.” NREL/TP-
6A20-68925. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy17osti/68925.pdf.
Example pricing
*Please note that this is a conservative estimate based on the currently available information in Indiana. A solar energy system installed today will benefit from full retail rate net metering through 2032, but your system will continue to offset a portion of your electric bill for the entirety of the system's lifespan.
$13,475 $14,245 $15,015 $19,250
$5,775 $5,005 $4,235
$0
$2,000
$4,000
$6,000
$8,000
$10,000
$12,000
$14,000
$16,000
$18,000
$20,000
2019 2020 2021 2022
Tax credit available as Federal Tax Credit Steps down
(Example 7kW system)
Remaining Cost*
30% 26% 0%
Federal tax credit is decreasing
22%
* Not inclusive of state and local incentives
Because future solar costs are hard to predict, this chart assumes no
decrease in installation cost year over year. The cost used here is
$2.75/Watt. This varies by location, installer, and equipment.
Loans
– Standard loans
– Solar loans & bridge loans
– HELOC
Grants
– USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
Financing Options
What’s next?
Join the Hamilton County Solar Co-op:
www.SolarUnitedNeighbors.org/HamiltonCounty
Tell your friends and neighbors!
What’s next?
Check out the website
www.solarunitedneighbors.org/HamiltonCounty
Take action on Duke Rate Case
PUBLIC HEARING:
September 9 at 6 pm
Carmel High School
Auditorium
WRITTEN COMMENTS:
Submit to Indiana Office of
Utility Consumer Counselor.
Attn: Bill Fine
Re: Cause Number:45253
Due by Oct. 1, 2019
1. Reject Duke’s request to raise rates.
2. Reject rolling expensive and dirty
Edwardsport coal plant into base rates.
3. Reject request to continue using
declining block pricing.
For more info, contact [email protected]
SOURCE:
• 30% tariff on imported solar
panels
• Only about 10-15 cents/watt
(estimated)
• Average 7kW system =
$1,050 -- $735 after tax
credit
Tariff drops down over next four years
• 2018 – 30%
• 2019 – 25%
• 2020 – 20%
• 2021 – 15%
Source: NREL
Solar Panel Tariff