(607) SouthernTierSolarWorks.org BRSC

Transcription

1 Southern Tier Solar Works Community Solar 2017 (607) SouthernTierSolarWorks.org BRSC

2 BINGHAMTON REGIONAL SUSTAINABILITY COALITION The Binghamton Regional Sustainability Coalition (BRSC) is a 501(c)3 not for profit grassroots community organization dedicated to building regional prosperity and resilience together with our community partners Southern Tier Solar Works (STSW), a program of BRSC, is part of RenewableNY's effort to help New York State transition to a clean energy future.

3 BRSC and STSW RenewableNY is a partnership including BRSC and Catskill Mountainkeeper, and is supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) under Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's NY-Sun initiative and Community Solar. NY-Sun will invest up to $1 billion in solar power through 2023 to expand solar installations statewide and help New York s solar industry become self-sustaining. STSW harnesses financing from Green Jobs Green NY (GJGNY), a NYSERDA program that provides funding for energy assessments, low-cost financing for energy upgrades, and technical and financial support. GJGNY enables New Yorkers to undertake significant energy improvements in homes, businesses and neighborhoods, making them more affordable, comfortable, and sustainable. GJGNY is working through Constituency-Based Organizations (CBOs) like BRSC to bring the benefits of energy efficiency to entire neighborhoods, including residents, small businesses, and not-for-profits

4 Southern Tier Solar Works is a program of the Binghamton Regional Sustainability Coalition Collaborate with community partners regionally and statewide to engage with stakeholders to make New York s Energy System the cleanest and most resilient in the U.S. Promote affordable energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements Save energy dollars Create good local jobs Boost the local economy Increase health and safety Reduce climate change Connect building owners with financing, certified contractors, and provide creation to completion project support

5 Southern Tier Solar Works is a program of the Binghamton Regional Sustainability Coalition GOAL 1: Bring the regional clean energy market to scale, creating local economic, employment and environmental benefits. Solarize and Energy Efficiency Since 2014, STSW has helped about 100 homeowners in Broome, Tioga, Chenango, Delaware and Otsego go solar for almost 1000kw (1mw) Goal: 1mw of new solar on site Community Shared Solar Goal: 1.25mw, equivalent to 175 homes and business

6 Southern Tier Solar Works is a program of the Binghamton Regional Sustainability Coalition GOAL 2: Clean energy education and careers. SUNY Best Clean Energy Series. collaboration with Senior energy leaders from NYSERDA, NYPA and the Governor s office presenting a wide range of programs Leaders from universities, municipalities, companies and organizations presenting best practices. Create clean energy workforce pathway K-solar schools curriculum and professional development Workforce & education partnerships Energy Corps Internships

7 Southern Tier Solar Works is a program of the Binghamton Regional Sustainability Coalition What is Solarize and how does it work? 1. Community volunteers & staffed non-profit organization organize community education campaigns 2 Competitively Selected, Certified Contractors 3. Below market rates with bulk purchase, single assessment, streamlined process. 4. Deadline to enroll November 1 and sign a contract Nov. 22

8 PROGRAM Energy Efficiency Southern Tier Solar Works Financing Community Shared Solar

9 Why Energy Efficiency?

10 Energy Savings Boost the Local Economy

11 Greatly reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and help transition to cleaner forms of energy

12 Why Energy Efficiency? Improves health, safety and comfort of our homes Improves air quality Addresses moisture problems Regulates indoor temperatures Enhances home ventilation Improves safety of combustion systems

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14 Comprehensive Home Assessment A detailed Energy analysis to establish: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) Combustion appliance Safety and Efficiency Comfort, Health and Safety Levels Whole House Air Infiltration Rates Building Envelope Insulation Inspection Fuel Consumption Analysis Electrical Appliances Assessment Addresses Adequate Mechanical Ventilation

15 Combustion Health and Safety Testing

16 Checking Insulation Levels

17 Ventilation

18 Finding Leaks Blower Door

19 Property Eligibility 1-4 unit residential properties; primary residence and/or rental property Any heating fuel type (Electric, gas, oil, propane ) Structure must be in New York State

20 How to Apply 1. Give us your contact information and complete the Home Energy Assessment section on our enrollment form (you must be the property owner, or ask your landlord complete the form). Check the appropriate household income box Residential building type (number of units, 1-4) Do you have central AC? 2. Receive your Reservation Number within days. 3. Contact a BPI certified home performance contractor from the approved list provided (these are different than the solar contractors)

21 Free or Reduced Cost Assessment GJGNY Median Family Income for 2016: Otsego County (Other counties see income chart on HPwES Household income guidelines) Median $60,600 $121,200 $151,500 $181,800 $212,100 Single Unit Audit; 3,500 SF Free $50 $100 $150 $200 Free $80 $160 $240 $ Units Audit; Single Unit 3,500 SF $242,400

22 I applied what s next? Schedule your energy assessment Review your energy report Choose Improvements Get your work done, now! Apply for financing and grants

23 BRSC Southern Tier Solar Works

24 Why go solar NOW? Historically low price Fixed rates v. increasing utility rates State and Federal incentives are at an all time high Both state and Federal incentives are on the way down

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26 The Big Picture PROTECT our air, water, and food supply. REDUCE carbon emissions that lead to climate change.

27 The SOLAR Resource YEARLY solar energy supply (5 billion years left!) Yearly World Energy Consumption FOREVER supply of fossil fuel

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29 30 Years of Solar Data NREL.gov: 30 year average of kwh/m^2 per year San Diego, CA kwh/m^2/year Binghamton, NY kwh/m^2/year Seattle, WA kwh/m^2/year Sunniest City in Germany kwh/m^2/year The Southern Tier gets 73% of the amount of sun that San Diego gets

30 Wide-Spread Use of Solar Power is Possible 0.07% of land area covered with solar cells would power the entire planet

31 Two Ways to Use Solar Energy Solar Hot Water Solar Electric System Heater Solar Electricity is made with photovoltaic (PV) panels. Solar hot water collectors are boxes with copper tubing, aluminum frame and glass cover

32 PV modules are made into solar arrays or solar electric systems. Photovoltaic modules switch inverter

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34 Is solar energy for me? Do you have roof space facing south? If not, do you have yard space for ground-mounted panels? Is your sunny roof space unobstructed by trees or buildings most of the day? An East or West facing roof will work if the slope is less than 30 degrees Our primary concern is that shading is minimal Is your current electric bill higher than you d like?

35 Send us your electric bill (all pages) showing yearly use graph

36 Where Do I Put my Solar Panels? Roof-mount in Binghamton, NY (makes 4500 kwh per year) Pole-Top Roof-mount Ground Mount onsite or on our solar farms

37 Southern Tier Solar Works: Making Solar Power Simple 1. Get Educated (attend a workshop, visit the website) 2. Sign up (at workshop, on web-site, call STSW!) 3. Get Others to Join (talk to your friends and neighbors) 4. Free Solar Site Evaluation (by an installer partner) 5. Sign Contract (Easy financing or leasing available!) 6. Get Your System Installed or Connected (2-4 months start to finish). For on-site systems

38 On-Site Purchase Example for illustration only Cost will vary by system size, panel type and adders If you want a 7 kilowatt system $22,750 Cost at $3.25/W = $3.25 x 7000 W -$2,800 NYSERDA incentive ($.40/W) $19,950 Amount to pay or finance -$5985 Federal Tax Credit* (30%) -$4987 State Tax Credit* (25% up to 5k) $8977 Net Cost to you *Ask a tax professional or your accountant to make sure you qualify for the tax credits.

39 Financing You do NOT need a lot of money to start going solar!

40 The Process (on-site) Your chosen contractor gets preliminary information, does the site assessment and gives you a quote. Upon your approval, the installer will arrange to lock in your NYSERDA incentive, and will do what follows: recommend the financing product they think will work best for you. Credit check and loan or lease paperwork is done. processes the NYSERDA grant, interconnection and permitting paperwork. Then the installation is done and you have been solarized!

41 Financing Options 1. Purchase: Loans up to 20 years Banks NYSERDA (15 years) year lease SunPower

42 Financing GJGNY loans encourage home energy upgrades: Low->No down-payments Loan amounts range from $3,000-$25,000 (from $1,500 for lower income households) Fixed rate unsecured loan terms available: 5, 10 or 15 years

43 Loan Qualifications Both loans have the same general qualifying criteria: A satisfactory credit score (alternatively, a demonstrated history of satisfactory energy bill and mortgage payment) Acceptable levels of income relative to outstanding debt obligations No bankruptcies, foreclosures, or repossession within the past 2 years No outstanding liens or judgments in excess of $2500

44 NYSERDA Loans* On Bill Recovery 3.49% interest Loan paid through on monthly utility bill and stays with the home Available for customers of major utilities Rigorous energy savings payback criteria will exclude some projects Energy Smart loan Up to 3.99% interest or 3.49% on autopay * Interest rates rise to 7.99% for solar, effective Sept. 1, 2016

45 Leasing Terms vary by installer, system size, location among other variables. Typically 20-year agreements with 0 upfront and monthly lease payments. Prepayment is an option. This doesn t affect your credit rating. Even if you cannot take the federal tax credit you get its effective value. System performance is guaranteed, and installer is responsible for maintenance. You don t own it. If you sell your house the lease is transferable if the buyer agrees.

46 Sunpower Lease Example 20 year lease 25 year product and production warrantee high efficiency, high production per area $0 down (down-payments reduce overall cost).

47 Community Shared Solar for All Isaac Baker, Co-Director, Community Solar

48 48 Co-op Power is + A Multi-Racial, Multi-Class Movement for Justice and Sustainability

49 Co-op Power is A Decentralized Network of Local Communities Hampshire Community Energy Co-op NY Community Energy Co-op (Coming soon) Franklin Community Energy Co-op Co-op Power Hampden Community Energy Co-op Blackstone Valley CEC (Worcester) Southern Vermont Community Energy Co-op Boston Metro East Community Energy Co-op 49

50 Leadership Team Legal Team Jill Winans, McCauley Lyman Lynn Benander, CEO Yanir Stein, CFO 50 Eli Moulton, Merritt, Merritt & Moulton Don McCauley, McCauley Lyman Community Solar Co-Directors Isaac Baker Ben Underwood River Strong

51 Core Principles State of the art technology Financing options for people with limited resources Community-led planning Local installers Local ownership Local control High Market Demand 51

52 Cooperatively-Owned Shared Solar Model 1 Model 2 Owner-Member Subscriber-Pay as You Go Tax Credit: To Members Tax Credit: To Investors Project Size: Small or Large Project Size: Large. 500 kw+ bundled with others Accessibility: > Moderate Income. Low Income w/ peer financing. Electricity Discount: Significant % over 20 years. Accessibility: Low and Moderate Incomes. Electricity Discount: Good % over 20 years. 52

53 Takeaway: Co-ops make shared ownership of renewable energy assets possible Virtually no size restrictions Securities Issues Addressed and Avoided Flexible Financing Structure communities decide who participates and how. Flexible lending is required to support LMI participation Partnerships with Local Non-Profit Organizations Authentic Ownership Available To All 53

54 How can I join a Solar Farm? Membership Sign up today to get in the queue Provide us with a recent NYSEG bill Landowners Provide us with the street address and size of your property Flat, cleared land is best Viability will depend on the capacity of existing utility service there Investors Let us know you are interested and we will contact you once details are available.

55 Southern Tier Solar Works is here to help you go solar! facebook.com/stswny Phone: (607)

56 The following slides are for showing if needed for Q&A

57 Snow Yes, Snow shuts down your solar array (blocks light) BUT Your system will be sized larger to take this into account There is very little sun in the winter to miss out on. December = 5% of yearly sun January = 5% of yearly sun February = 6% of yearly sun So if you have snow sitting for 3 weeks, you are missing very little production!

58 Is solar energy for me Solar Farm? A community shared solar farm is deployed remotely on property owned or leased by the host organization, so you don t have to install it on your property, or own property at all. As a member, the value of your electricity usage is offset by power produced on the farm. You can either own a share in the array over its life and fix your energy costs for 20 years, or sign up for a pay-as-you go customer, rather like a CSA or farm share. You have no responsibility for system operation or maintenance. It is possible to sell your share if you move out of the load zone.

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60 Rural Project Tax Equity Financed 60 Location: Greenfield, MA Biodiesel Plant Size: 595 kw; Cost: $1.8 M Ownership: Cooperatively Owned Off-taker(s): 33% plant; 67% community Financing: 35% tax equity; 30% debt; 35% member pre- payments Tax Credit: Distributed to tax equity investors

61 61 Thank you! Isaac Baker Co-Director, Community Solar Co-op Power

62 Delaware County Electric Cooperative Customers All electric coop members are eligible for NYSERDA incentives, as well as NY and US tax credits. Net metered excess electricity is valued at DCEC s wholesale avoided cost, which is much lower than the retail rate required of investor owned utilities by the Public Service Commission. Therefore it is financially prudent to produce little excess energy, and size your system at 75% of your average load. Systems under 15kw are allowed without individual review. Full details of DCEC s policy are at tion.

63 Grant Assisted Home Performance with Energy Star Eligibility is dependent on household income and size. For a single-family home, grants are available to cover 50% of total costs, up to $5,000. County 1 person 2 person 4 person Broome & Tioga $36,640 $45,904 $67,504

64 Free or Reduced Cost Assessment GJGNY Median Family Income for 2016: Chenango County (Other counties see income chart on HPwES Household income guidelines) Median $56,200 $112,400 Single Unit Audit; 3,500 SF Free Free 2-4 Units Audit; Single Unit 3,500 SF $140,500 $168,600 $196,700 $224,800 $50 $100 $150 $200 $80 $160 $240 $320

65 Free or Reduced Cost Assessment (other counties slides 54-57) GJGNY Median Family Income for 2016: Delaware County (Other counties see income chart on HPwES Household income guidelines) Median $57,500 $115,000 Single Unit Audit; 3,500 SF Free Free 2-4 Units Audit; Single Unit 3,500 SF $143,750 $172,500 $201,250 $230,000 $50 $100 $150 $200 $80 $160 $240 $320

66 Free or Reduced Cost Assessment GJGNY Median Family Income for 2016: Broome and Tioga Counties (Other counties see income chart on HPwES Household income guidelines) Median $62,900 $125,800 $157,250 $188,700 $220,150 Single Unit Audit; 3,500 SF Free $50 $100 $150 $200 Free $80 $160 $240 $ Units Audit; Single Unit 3,500 SF $251,600

67 Information for Renters/Landlords Owner/Landlord/Renter of 1-4 unit building If tenant income falls within 60-80% AMI range then the landlord can qualify for Assisted HPwES incentives Tenants of all income levels can provide program information to building owners & financial info to the program lender Building owners may qualify for program for both their home and rental units Utility bill for a property must be in building owner s name in order to qualify for On-Bill Recovery loan financing

68 Appliances and Lighting What many people do to improve efficiency