Southern Tier Solar Works Community Solar 2017 (607) 873-9220 SouthernTierSolarWorks.org BRSC
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.
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
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
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). • 2016 Goal: 1mw of new solar on site • 2016-2017 Community Shared Solar Goal: 1.25mw, equivalent to 175 homes and business
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
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
PROGRAM Energy Efficiency Southern Tier Solar Works Financing Community Shared Solar
Why Energy Efficiency?
Energy Savings Boost the Local Economy
Greatly reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and help transition to cleaner forms of energy
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
Comprehensive Home Assessment A detailed Energy analysis to establish: 1) Combustion appliance Safety and Efficiency 2) Comfort, Health and Safety Levels 3) Whole House Air Infiltration Rates 4) Building Envelope Insulation Inspection 5) Fuel Consumption Analysis 6) Electrical Appliances Assessment 7) Addresses Adequate Mechanical Ventilation
Combustion Health and Safety Testing
Checking Insulation Levels
Ventilation
Finding Leaks Blower Door
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
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)
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 ≤$242,400 Single Unit Audit; Free $50 $100 $150 $200 ≤ 3,500 SF 2 - 4 Units Audit; Free $80 $160 $240 $320 Single Unit ≥ 3,500 SF
I applied…what’s next? Schedule Review your Apply for Choose your energy energy financing and Improvements assessment report grants Get your work done, now !
BRSC Southern Tier Solar Works
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
The Big Picture PROTECT our air, water, and food supply. REDUCE carbon emissions that lead to climate change.
The SOLAR Resource YEARLY solar energy supply (5 billion years left!) Yearly World Energy Consumption FOREVER supply of fossil fuel
30 Years of Solar Data NREL.gov: 30 year average of kWh/m^2 per year San Diego, CA………..…..2044 kWh/m^2/year Binghamton, NY…………..1496 kWh/m^2/year Seattle, WA……………......1387 kWh/m^2/year Sunniest City in Germany...1250 kWh/m^2/year The Southern Tier gets 73% of the amount of sun that San Diego gets
Wide-Spread Use of Solar Power is Possible 0.07% of land area covered with solar cells would power the entire planet
Two Ways to Use Solar Energy Solar Electric System Solar Hot Water Heater • Solar Electricity is made with “photovoltaic” (PV) panels. • Solar hot water collectors are boxes with copper tubing, aluminum frame and glass cover
PV modules are made into “solar arrays” or solar electric systems. Photovoltaic modules switch inverter
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? Is your current electric bill higher than you’d like? An East or West facing roof will work if the slope is less than 30 degrees Our primary concern is that shading is minimal
Send us your electric bill (all pages) showing yearly use graph
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
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
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 sure you qualify for the tax credits. to make
Financing You do NOT need a lot of money to start going solar!
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!
Financing Options 1. Purchase: Loans up to 20 years • Banks • NYSERDA (15 years) 2. 20 year lease • SunPower
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