Solar in DC! We can do it!

What the Heck?

Miles of Solar Potential—Lets do the whole neighborhood!

It is expensive and confusing!! Now What??? Solar Sign up—50 members in a few weeks Light Bulbs and Energy Audits Solar Crash Course-Switch, PSC, Pepco, OPC, DDOE, Pro-bono legal council, EPA, DOE, Scott Sklar, MDVSEIA…Internet!!!!! Amend and Pass the Clean and Affordable Energy Act of 2008

Cost of Going Solar in DC 4 Ways to Save! 1.DC Rebate $3/watt up to 3KW…. 2.Federal Tax Credit 30% of Total 3.Net Metering--Savings on your energy Bill 4.Selling your Solar Energy Credits (SRECs)

DC Rebate Program $3 for each of the first 3,000 installed watts of capacity $2 for each of the next 7,000 installed watts of capacity $1 for each of the next 10,000 installed watts of capacity $2 million dollars a year for four years. We are just starting the second year of the program.

Federal Tax Credit Residential Tax Credit 30% of the total cost of the system. For more info go to the DSIRE website : tate=us&re=1&EE=1

Net Metering/ Energy Savings Depends on the size of the system you install Our average energy savings are $500 a year As energy prices go up– the savings increase The system is expected to last years. A special two way meter is installed by Pepco. You get a credit (not payment) for any energy you produce. You can carry over the credits in a single year. Under the current rules, You do not get $$ if you produce more than you use in a single year.

Selling your Solar Renewable Energy Credits A Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) is a tradable credit that represents all the clean energy benefits of electricity generated from a solar electric system. Pepco buys the credits from its energy suppliers to meet its requirement to put renewable energy on the grid. SRECs are not electricity. It is totally separate from net metering and credits on your electric bill. For an average home in MTP the SRECs are worth about $950 a year. We have a five year contract with a SREC aggregator to sell our credits.

Example of Costs for Residential Solar Cost to install 3.0 kW system $27,000 LESS DC incentive grant ($3,000/kW) -$9,000 Total to be financed or paid in cash at installation$18,000 Savings and Credits Federal tax credit (30% of system cost)-$8,100 Annual Energy savings – increases as energy costs increase$400-$1,000+ / year Sale of Renewable Energy Credit $1,000 / year Lifetime 30-year energy savings, assuming ~7% annual increase$30,000+ Actual cost will depend on specific system; some homes require roof work prior to installation. DC Incentive plan provides cash to homeowner prior to payment to installer. Tax savings/credits estimates should be discussed with your individual tax advisor. Federal Tax credit would be sought when filing tax returns for the year of the installation: for installation in 2009, tax credit would not be received until 2009 return is filed in Energy savings are based on current Pepco rates, and 7.17% annual increases. The previous 17-year average annual increase has been 3%, while over the previous 5-years the average annual increase has been 13%. If the Pepco rate increases are less than 7% estimate, then energy cost savings will be less; if rates rise more than 7%, then energy cost savings will be greater. SREC Rate for first 5 years locked; additional years to be negotiated.

The Process! Apply to DC Rebate Program Choose an Installer Borrow Money?? Fix your roof? Sign a contract Stay on top of the forms and permits Go Solar!

The DC Rebate Program Pre-Application ONLINE at Apply immediately- as there is only room in the program for about 200 houses per year. Once you receive notification that you have a rebate reservation number, sign contract with installer who will help you complete the full application, DCRA permits, Pepco notifications etc. Check is supposed to come before you do your installation but don’t count on it!

How to Chose an Installer? Experience and training: houses like your house? DC Permit process, Historic preservation, DDOE, insurance, master electrician, structural engineer? Price What type of technology? Method of installation on roof Other benefits such as financing

How to choose an installer? How to attach to your roof a major decision point

How to choose and installer? How to attach to your roof a major decision point

Does the installer have experience with DCRA and DDOE?

Fix your Roof? For many homeowners the roof issue is a deal breaker in terms of cost and complexity. It doesn’t make sense to put solar panels on a roof that will need to be fixed in the next few years. Roofers are getting into the solar business, new models are emerging Issues to consider: If you get a new roof consider having solar brackets installed by roofer; or having a roofer do the whole job. Make sure the solar install does not void your roof warrenty.

Sign a Contract Warranties Make sure the installer is responsible for all rebate applications and permits Find out how long you will have to wait for installation How much money up front

Stay on Top of the Forms and Process DDOE Pre –Application ( Home owner ) Pepco Pre-Application DDOE Full Application (Installer) DCRA Electric, Building and if applicable Historic permits. Some have required zoning and planning docs Pepco install application Installation (Roof repair) Electric Inspection Pepco installation of new two way meter SREC contracts and paper work

Go Solar!

Why Form a Solar Coop? Share information Political Support for Solar Programs Ensure new rules are solar friendly Buying power with installers and other service providers Stay on top of requirements in the process. Build Support for More Programs

Share Information Meeting Deadlines! Changing DDOE requirements, lost documents, DCRA costs and paperwork Pepco net metering rules Experience with Pepco meters and billing Experience with installers and equipment New incentives, opportunities Ensure no one in group is “dropped” from system or treated unfairly

Political Support for New Programs Work to pass new legislation: testimony, s, attend meeting, petitions, monitor implementation. Real world practical concerns. Develop new models such as the Coop, and hopefully next community solar with virtual net metering Inform members, and outreach to press and government on ways to make solar work for DC residents and how to promote green jobs here at home.

Ensure New Rules are Solar Friendly The new Sustainable Energy Utility should have a robust plan for solar. DC new smart meters should be two way capable and pay fair prices for the solar energy we produce Promote a market that encourages access across DC and shares the benefits of the investments with rate payers

Cost Savings with installers and other service providers Group Discounts Savings for Installers by only presenting serious customers Possible bulk purchase on goods and services (light bulbs, energy audits, panels?, insulation?) Lower research costs Identify inefficiencies to lower costs for everyone (DDOE process, DCRA, pre-inspections)

Stay on top of requirements in the process. Alerts to members on deadlines and documents due Engage with DDOE, DCRA, Pepco, REC Aggregator on next steps, communicate requirements to members Share information with other members of the coop so that everyone can tell if they are being treated fairly (installers, rebates, Pepco, permits) Track each members progress—trouble shoot as necessary

Build Support for More Programs Develop lists of supporters Let people know what is happening Engage diverse groups of regular citizens not narrow group of environmentalists Make it easy to engage Divide up the work

MTP Coop Eco-Fair with Diego and Walter

Map from 2009 Solar Home Tour in MTP