Photo: NWE&S Introductions: Solarize Kirkland Paula J. Del - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Photo: NWE&S

Introductions: Solarize Kirkland

 Paula J. Del Giudice: Pacific NW Pollution Prevention Resource Center  David Barnes: City of Kirkland  Bret Turner, Derek White, Ian Robinson, Sam Smith: Northwest Electric &

Solar

 Jake Wade: Puget Sound Energy  Marina Tsekhanovskaya: Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union  Brian Reinhardt: Umpqua Bank

Other team members: MANY volunteers, PPRC’s intern Ryan O’Keefe

Program Goals

• Continue the conversation about conservation

and the values that are important to Kirkland residents.

• Stimulate excitement about solar as a renewable

energy source.

• Engage in a public/private partnership that brings

value to the community.

Outline for Tonight’s Workshop

 Introduction to Solarize

Kirkland

 Costs & incentives  Photovoltaic technology

 Financing options

 Next steps  Q&A session

About the Solarize Program

 Solarize is a simple process designed to:

 Reduce upfront cost  Streamline installation  Invoke action!

 Community-led effort  Expert tech support  The best deal possible

Timeline:

Does Solar Work in Washington?

• Yes. And rain helps!

Typical Process of Going Solar

research solar

• ptions

find local contractors talk to your utility receive multiple bids investigate financing finalize system design finalize financing choose contractor system install!

Solarize Kirkland Simplified Process

finalize system design finalize financing choose contractor system install! attend solarize workshop receive

• ne bid

Solar decision-making timeline shortened to 3-5 months!

Northwest Electric & Solar

Competitively-selected

installation team

Excellent prices Superior customer service Enthusiastic, positive partners Locally born and raised

Community-selected Solar Contractor

F O R T H E B E N E F I T O F A L L

HARNESSING THE POWER OF THE SUN

WHO WE ARE

• Full-service electrical contractor
• Licensed, bonded and insured
• 30+ years electrical

& solar experience

• Journeyman

electrician Lead on- site; Master electrician oversees inspection.

WHAT WE DO

• Residential

Electrical

• Commercial

Electrical

• Residential Solar
• Commercial Solar

HOW DO INCENTIVES WORK?

Federal, State, and Utility programs pay YOU for producing energy.

FEDERAL PROGRAM

• Federal Tax Credit
• 30% tax credit

Example: $25,000 system = $7,500 credit

HOW DO INCENTIVES WORK? STATE PROGRAM

• Production Incentive
• NO SALES TAX!

$0.15 x 2.4 $0.36/kWh $0.15 x 1.2 $0.18/kWh

$0.54/kWh

HOW DO INCENTIVES WORK? NET METERING

• YOU are USING the energy
• 11 cents per kWh

Rooftop Array Net Meter House Panel Production Meter

54¢ 10¢

Total net benefit to you is up to 64¢ per kilowatt hour!

WHY BUY WASHINGTON? In-State Components

• Higher payback = Better ROI
• Encourages jobs in Washington
• Personal relationships with

suppliers

• 97+% of our customers

If you’d like to see an out-of-state option, please let us know.

CHOICES TO MAKE Module Selection

• Made in Bellingham since 2008
• Only in-State option
• 10/25 Warranty

CHOICES TO MAKE Inverter Selection—String or Micro?

String Inverter Micro Inverters

CHOICES TO MAKE Inverter Selection—In-State

Itek Energy (Solectria or Theia)

• String inverter
• Seven sizes
• Wide voltage range
• 10-year warranty
• 98.3% max efficiency

Blue Frog Solar APS500

• Made in Poulsbo
• One per 2 modules
• Even numbered array
• 25-year warranty
• 95.5% max efficiency

FACTORS AFFECTING PRICING & ROI

• System

size

• Roof

pitch

• Outdated

wiring

• Roof

height

• Distance to

panel

FACTORS AFFECTING PRODUCTION

Orientation

• True south) is ideal
• East- or west-facing

arrays about 20% less

• No north!

Tilt Angle

• 32° ideal
• Most roofs 18-23
• Flush-mounted

Shading and soiling can severely affect output!

THE PROCESS

• Attend workshop and sign up for site assessment
• Site assessment with Ian
• Proposal from salesperson
• Contract and Paperwork
• Construction and Inspection
• PSE installs meters

THE SITE ASSESSMENT: CONFIDENCE IN NUMBERS

An accurate bid cannot usually be done remotely

• Solmetric Suneye
• Fisheye lens
• Calculates solar access
• Shading de-rate
• Accurate roof

measurements

• Pitch
• Obstructions
• Roof structure
• Roof quality

PERMITS AND PAPERWORK

Electrical Permit

• Always paid for

and acquired by NWE&S

Building Permit

• Not usually

required

System Certification

• NWE&S fills out all

for your signature

IRS Form 5695

CONSTRUCTION AND SCHEDULE

Once you’ve signed a contract….

Lead Times

• 5 Weeks

Safety

• Roof anchors
• Dangerous

Conditions

Construction

• Access inside
• Experienced
• versight
• 2-3 men, 2-3 days

THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

Getting Your System Up and Running

Install anchors Install rails

“Fly glass”

Install the rest Test the system Final inspection

MAINTENANCE ETCETERA

Your System and Your Pocketbook

Module cleaning recommended

• Soiling = less

production

• Regular cleaning
• Free from debris
• Will naturally shed

snow

• Aperture area/corners
• Keep an eye on energy

production through your inverter or monitoring unit

NWE&S will provide you with a customer care manual with all maintenance, warranty and paperwork

WHAT DOES IT COST?

• Pricing Matrix
• Ranges from $14k to about $34k
• Pricing “per watt”
• Economy of Scale
• The larger the system, the lower the cost per watt = the

best value

• Everything “off the roof” costs about the same

WHAT DOES IT COST?

Typical NWE&S Package Offerings 5.6kW System Itek / Solectria

• 20 x 280-W
• 5.2kW Theia
• $4.07/watt
• Total = $22,802.19
• Output = 5,700 kWh/year
• Break-even point=

4.6 years

5.6kW System Itek / Blue Frog

• 20 x 280-W
• 10 x Blue Frogs
• $4.47/watt
• Total = $25,043.90
• Output = 5,650 kWh/year
• Break-even point=

4.9 years

Assumptions: 180° azimuth; 20° tilt; 95% sun access; 10¢ average utility rate; 0.5% degradation rate; 5.0% utility rate increase

Lenders

 Umpqua Bank  Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union

Not necessary to use these lenders  Both have been working on Solarize campaigns  Green lending programs

Umpqua Bank

 Greenstreet Lending

 Unsecured consumer loan  Home equity line of credit

 No prepayment costs, loan origination costs or

fees

 Capitol Hill Branch Contact:

www.umpquabank.com/personal-banking/greenstreet/ Brian Reinhardt BrianReinhardt@UmpquaBank.com 206-749-7441

Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union

 Energy Smart loans  Low-interest loans up to $35,000  Terms up to 15 years

 No prepayment penalties or loan origination fees

 Online loan application  Streamlined loan approval process  Contact:

www.psccu.org askus@psccu.org 425-283-5151

Community Award

NW ELECTRIC AND SOLAR IS DONATING:

→ 3.51 Kw system to Bellevue non-profit Last year’s donation:

25

contracts

1

free system

Questions?

For more information:

 To schedule a free site assessment, contact: Ian

Robinson, NW Electric and Solar, nwesirobinson@gmail.com, or call: 425-606-0591 Project Manager: Paula J. Del Giudice, PPRC

pdelgiudice@pprc.org (206) 352-2050

Web: pprc.org