solarize northwest indiana
TRANSCRIPT
SOLARIZE NWI
Solar. Simple. Together
Kathy LutherDirector of Environmental ProgramsNorthwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission
SOLARIZE NWI
Solar. 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
Solar: Myths & Barriers
Solarize
Dollars and Sense
Simplify
Timing
How it works
Technical Matters
SOLARIZE NWI
Solar. Simple. Together
Common Myths
It’s not sunny enough
Winter weather is bad for fragile glass
Too Expensive/Too subsidized
Costs jobs/Hurts the Economy
New -Untested Technology
Unattractive/Hurts property values
Dangerous Glare
Solar Myth Busters
Not Enough Sun in NWI?
Indiana
What About All That Snow? Will they be storm damaged?
Go Solar Today!
7
Yes, snow shuts down your
solar array (temporarily) when
it blocks the light.
BUT. . .• There is very little sun in the
winter to miss out on. • December, January and
February is only about 5% of
yearly sun
• If snow covers your panels for a few weeks, you are losing
very little energy production.
• At typical installations, panels
can withstand 2 inch hail.
Solar is too expensive
“New Technology”
Solar PV Performance
Some systems have been in place since the 70s
Panel Warranty - 80 percent of original output after 25 years
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 have dropped
Solarize NWI 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.
So why isn’t everybody doing it?
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350
High Upfront Cost & Low ROI
Lack of Information & Education
Unfriendly Policy Environment & Lack of Incentives
Local Zoning & Permitting
Utility Support
Aesthetics & Historic Preservation
Lack of Support from HOAs
Reliability Concerns
Environmental Impact
Other
Survey Results: Barriers
Barriers
High upfront cost
Complexity
Customer inertia
Solutions
Group purchase, volume discount
Installer selection, community outreach
Limited-time offer
Solarize Solutions!
Let’s Solarize!
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 Ups
120 Eligible Homes
77 Installations
530 kW Capacity
30% Cost saving
What is Solarize NWI?
Dollars and Sense
Solar Incentives
Tax Incentives Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit – 30%
of Cost Federal Business Energy Investment Tax Credit Indiana State Property Tax Deduction Indiana Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System
(MACRS)
Solar Renewable Energy Credits Currently $20/kW in Ohio Market
SOLARIZE NWI Pricing Tiers
Total NWI kiloWattsInstalled
1 kW-15 kW 15 kW-50 kW 50 kW-100kW 100 kW-200 kW 200 + kW
Price per Watt $ 4.35 $ 3.95 $ 3.85 $ 3.50 $3.28
NumberTypical Residential installs
1-3 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
Let’s Do the Math
5 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
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 SRECs
Feed-in Tariff – Phase IIEnrolling now through June 1
Awarded by Lottery
Micro Solar
(5-10 kW) $0.17 /kW
Int. Solar
(10 – 200 kw) $0.15 /kW
They keep your SRECs
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
Simplify Your Solar
Simplify with Pre-Qualified
Installer
Selection CriteriaQuality and Value
Experience
Implementation and Capacity
Price Structure
Request for Proposals November 2014
Sent to over 30 installers in Indiana and the Great Lakes Region identified through
• Indiana Renewable Energy Association
• North American of Board Certified Energy Practitioners
Received 4 Proposals
Reviewed Proposals with 6 members of our Solar Advisory Group:
NIRPC
SSCC
Municipality
Bank
Indiana OED
IUN SPEA
Interviewed Top 2 Scoring Installers
Simplify with Outreach and
Technical Support
Workshops in Solarize Communities
Solarize DyerSolarize GarySolarize HobartSolarize Valpo
Regionwide Outreach
Technical Workshops for Local GovernmentsSolar Permitting Best Practices
Solar Zoning Best Practices
Solar PV and First Responders
Simplify with Access to Financing
If desired, our Installer can introduce you to a number of institutions with renewable energy financing options and products.
Overcome Inertia
Decisions-Decisions…
Limited Time Offer!
How it Works
How Solarize works:
1. Sign up online at www.solarizenwi.com, click on your community if applicable
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) 430-0158)
3. Midwest Wind and Solar can review your home’s solar potential with on-line tools, and if solar is a good option for you, will schedule a free home solar assessment.
How Solarize 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 Cost
Additional costs needed for your home
Current and Projected Energy Cost Savings
Projected Increases in Assessed Property Value
Incentives value
Explanation of Financing Options (if requested)
How Solarize 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 communities meet certain targets, they can can win free solar ranging from a classroom kit, to a 3 kW array with a data monitor and display tablet.
Go to SolarizeNWI.com to
www.nirpc.org/environment/solarize-nwi
Next Event: Solarize NWI Webinar: April 22, 2015.www.southshorecleancities.org/events.php
Stay Tuned for more on
Solarizenwi.com
https://www.facebook.com/solarizenwi
