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12/04/2018 09 Spark Northwest Partnership Discussion
7—rei BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDA STATEM ENT Item No. 9. For Meeting of: December 4, 2018 ITEM TITLE: Discussion regarding potential partnership with Spark Northwest SUBMITTED BY: Randy Beehler, Communications & Public Affairs Director, 901- 1142 SUMMARY EXPLANATION: At the Council's November 6, 2018, regular meeting, the Council unanimously directed staff to postpone this item to a meeting in December 2018. At the Council's October 2nd, 2018 regular meeting, the Council unanimously directed City staff to research the potential of the City partnering with Spark Northwest, a non-profit organization that supports local efforts to simplify the process for residents of specific communities to invest in solar energy. The Council directed City staff to report on the progress of the research at the Council's November 6th regular meeting. Information regarding the potential for such partnership will be presented at the November 6th Council regular meeting. ITEM BUDGETED: NA STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Partnership Development APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL: City Manager STAFF RECOMMENDATION: N/A BOARD/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: N/A 2 ATTACHMENTS: Description Upload Date Type ❑ memo spark nw 11/1/2018 Cotter Memo ❑ Spark Northwest Solarize Yakima Proposal 10/30/2018 Cotter Memo ❑ solarize u workbook 11/1/2018 Cotter Memo ❑ Solarize Northwest Mercer Island Case Study 10/30/2018 Cotter Memo 3 N CD �� UN To: Yakima City Council From: Communications & Public Affairs Director Randy Beehler Subject: Potential Spark Northwest Partnership Date: Monday, October 29tn, 2018 Council members, At the Council's October 2"d, 2018 regular meeting, the Council unanimously directed City staff to research the potential of the City partnering with Spark Northwest, a non-profit organization that supports local efforts to simplify the process for residents of Washington State and Oregon communities to invest in solar energy. The Council directed City staff to report on the progress of the research at the Council's November 6th regular meeting. Founded in 2001, Spark Northwest, formerly known as Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development, works with a local project manager, typically from a local organization, utility, or governmental entity, to provide training, technical assistance, and workshop presentations to facilitate a group purchase program called Solarize Northwest. Through the Solarize Northwest program, local residents are able to join forces to collectively select a solar contractor and, through a group purchase, significantly reduce the high upfront cost of installing residential solar systems. Included in the November 6th Council regular meeting packet is a proposal from Spark Northwest to work with the City on a project that would be entitled Solarize Yakima. Also included in the November 6th meeting packet is a document entitled Solarize U, which provides tools and guidance to help Washington Communities launch solar group purchase programs. Information about 42 homes and one business converting to solar energy in the City of Mercer Island through the Solarize Northwest program is also included in the November 6th meeting packet. As described in the proposal from Spark Northwest, the City's role in the Solarize Yakima campaign would primarily consist of serving as the "face" of the campaign by helping to recruit volunteers to serve on a campaign committee and by promoting the campaign through the City's various communications platforms. The City may also be asked to provide meeting space for campaign workshops. Under the proposal, the City would incur little if any out-of-pocket expenses. However, a moderate amount of City staff time will likely need to be invested in order to coordinate committee recruitment, campaign promotion, and the reservation of meeting space. The cost of a Solarize Yakima campaign is estimated to be about$25,000 to $30,000, all of which would be paid for by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy and distributed by the Washington State Department of Commerce. Spark Northwest staff would serve in the role of campaign manager. Yakima Valley Conference of Governments ("YVCOG") would serve as local campaign lead. Spark Northwest is currently contracting with YVCOG to serve as local campaign lead for a Solarize Northwest involving the cities of Sunnyside, Mabton, and Grandview. As local campaign lead, YVCOG coordinates committee meetings, schedules and conducts workshops, and serves as the primary local contact for the campaign. Solarize Northwest projects typically last about nine months. A project begins with the recruitment and training of committee volunteers. A solar installer is then selected by the committee. Workshops are conducted to educate community members about the process of solar conversion. Installations then occur during a period of time with a specific end date. Please let me know if you have questions or need additional information about this issue prior to the Council's November 6th regular meeting. 1 4 • . • Spark Northwest Creating clean energy communities Solarize Yakima Partnership Proposal Background Spark Northwest is a non-profit organization that accelerates the shift to clean energy in communities across the Northwest.Since 2011,Spark Northwest has launched 21 Solarize campaigns in Washington and Oregon, galvanizing over 950 homeowners to install solar and unleashing$21 million in local economic activity.To date, our Solarize Northwest program has resulted in over 5 megawatts of installed solar. Solarize is a group purchase campaign that simplifies the process of going solar, reduces the upfront cost, and educates residents. Local jurisdictions have chosen to host Solarize campaigns for a variety of reasons: to deliver economic development, support energy independence for residents and businesses,fulfill climate action plans, and respond to citizen interest in solar energy. We work with local community groups, lenders,the electric utility, and local government,to select qualified installers, deliver educational workshops, and track installations to completion, ensuring a positive experience for participants. Spark Northwest is currently partnering with Yakima Valley Conference of Governments to deliver a Solarize campaign in Grandview, Mabton, and Sunnyside and the surrounding rural areas. Both partners hope to expand the program to other areas in the Yakima Valley with future campaigns, including the City of Yakima. 2019 Opportunity To deliver a nine month Solarize campaign,Spark Northwest invests significant time and resources. Our work is funded by fee-for-service contracts or by grants from foundations or governments. In 2019,Spark Northwest anticipates funding from a US Department of Energy grant to cover our costs of providing services to selected communities as part of the Solar Plus project. Spark Northwest is currently seeking partner communities for 2019 Solarize campaigns and may select up to 5 communities that are ready to commit staff time and resources to hosting a Solarize campaign on behalf of their residents.We will select partners on a rolling basis between now and January 15. Partners must confirm interest and identify a staff lead for the project by December 31 at the latest. • i • • 1402 3rd Ave,Suite 901 • • • Seattle,WA 98101 • sparknorthwest.org • 5 • . • Spark Northwest Creating clean energy communities Partnerships Solarize relies on local partners to recruit volunteers, identify outreach opportunities, and complete outreach through their own channels. Past partners include Seattle City Light, University of Oregon, neighborhood and community groups, and numerous city governments. Each community and campaign is unique, and partner roles respond to the interests, expertise, and resources of each partner. Below is a proposal for partnership between the City of Yakima,YVCOG, and Spark Northwest,to be refined by each partner in a memorandum of understanding. Suggested Roles: Campaign Manager:Spark Northwest Staff Provides comprehensive campaign training, leads the installer selection process, supports the workshops, hosts webpage registration and participant tracking, and conducts final reporting and evaluation. Provides unbiased solar technical expertise in all elements of the campaign. Local Campaign Lead: Yakima Valley Council of Governments Provides coordination of partners and knowledge of the local community. Coordinates outreach and volunteer recruitment.Schedules and delivers public workshops. Community Partners: City of Yakima, Community Groups, TBD City of Yakima acts as the face of the campaign in the community, recruits volunteers, amplifies the campaign via city communications, and ensures solar permitting follows best practices to expedite solar installations.The City can also provide city venues for meetings and workshops. Other community partners can join the effort to assist with outreach and recruit volunteers. Community Selected Installer: TBD The community selected installer supports outreach (mailings,farmer's market tabling, etc.) presents at workshops, provides site assessments to interested workshop attendees, completes installations, and tracks and reports customer outcomes. • i • • 1402 3rd Ave,Suite 901 • • • Seattle,WA 98101 • sparknorthwest.org • 6 • . • Spark Northwest Creating clean energy communities Timeline 1: Campaign Training/Kickoff (Month 1) Spark Northwest delivers a customized training to partners,volunteers, and City staff.The three-hour training equips partners to run a successful Solarize campaign and lays the groundwork for the team partnership. Spark Northwest YVCOG City of Yakima Lead Training, Provide Invite Volunteers;Announce Host Training;Invite Volunteers Materials and Templates Training through City channels 2: Installer Selection (Month 2) Spark Northwest works with the community to competitively select a solar installer or team of installers to be featured at Solarize workshops in return for guaranteeing a group price.We coach the team through a transparent, defensible process that results in the best value for the community and a fully engaged installation partner. Note:This is not a procurement process;the only contracts signed are between the solar installer and the homeowner who purchases an installation. Spark Northwest YVCOG City of Yakima Provide template RFP;Issue RFP;Guide committee through Coordinate venue for Provide venue for committee the process of review, interview committee meetings. meetings. and selection. Sign MOU 3: Grassroots Education & Outreach (Months 3 — 6) Spark Northwest will guide and support the grassroots outreach effort by the City of Yakima campaign lead and community partners. We will provide the proven messages and materials,facilitate the Outreach Committee launch, and co-lead the first educational workshop. Spark Northwest YVCOG City Provide Workshop PowerPoint; Convene Outreach Committee; Provide workshop venue; Provide Outreach Templates. Coordinate Outreach;Schedule publicize workshops and and Deliver Workshops. outreach;attend committee meetings;Attend Workshops • i • • 1402 3rd Ave,Suite 901 • • • Seattle,WA 98101 • sparknorthwest.org • 7 • . • Spark Northwest Creating clean energy communities 4: Designated Webpage & Participant Tracking (Months 3 —9) Spark Northwest will host a dedicated campaign webpage to serve as the Solarize Yakima homepage and track customer contact from initial registration through installation. Spark Northwest YVCOG and City Installer Host campaign website and Receive periodic updates on Provide updated participant online registration;track and campaign numbers status weekly report participant status 5: Reporting & Evaluation (Month 9) Spark Northwest will provide final reporting and evaluation to enable the City of Yakima to measure Solarize impact. Spark Northwest YVCOG and City Installer Conduct survey and prepare Celebrate! Provide final cost data Final Report Next Steps Department of Energy must approve funding for 2019, and we anticipate this decision in November. If funding is confirmed,we will move forward immediately with confirmation of our 2019 partners. Spark Northwest and the City of Yakima can then refine roles,sign a Memorandum of Agreement and kick off the campaign in early 2019. • i • • 1402 3rd Ave,Suite 901 • • • Seattle,WA 98101 • sparknorthwest.org • 8 • ,„iv, \ - z-- --',' , N ,,___ ...,,..... - ., .,.. ...,....„p t v • ' At-#__ ?;ulle .- AIIIMMIIL-.....41‘ 4- filillrAM'il _, ,, - 7 '7"77_ ArlirAirmra.:112111r ‘ ,- . . . -- S 0 L A R I MIR t I., 1 i M .„ ...... ., __ Tools and guidance to help Washington communities launch . 7. . solar group purchase campaigns .1' , , "1r , I . - 1 tar--- ; -- ----- -1. if ----------,----_-___ _ -------.:-.-----——. — , \a, "ikk.%•- ----- . Ai. ''''•••..--.-' .s.....-*.1 r''...'. .,... Illialliaa k__ __ 1 k 9 All rights reserved. Copyright © 2018 by Spark Northwest. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, please submit a written request addressed "Attention: Solarize Northwest" to the address below: Spark Northwest •.. 1402 3rd Ave, Suite 901 �.;:'• Spark Seattle, WA 98101 Northwest Acknowledgements This Solarize U training was made possible with funds from the Washington Department of Commerce State Energy Office. The information, data, or work presented herein was funded in part by the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Program, under Award Number DE-EE0006307. etTE° Department of Commerce 14'krra4° Innovation is in our nature, SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES OFFICE U.S. Department Of Energy Spark Northwest is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to establish a clean, diverse, and affordable Northwest energy system based on the efficient use of renewable resources, with maximum local control and community ownership of energy assets. For more information on Spark Northwest's Solarize Washington program and training, please visit www.solarizenw.org. 10 Table of Contents Training Contacts 3 Personal Role & Motivations 4 Tackling Solar Market Barrier, 5 Essential Elements of the Solarize Model 6 Value Proposition 7 Role Mapping 8 Sample Timeline 9 Campaign Checklist 10 Solar PV Technology 11 Solar Incentives 12 Pricing Example 13 Lessons& Considerations 15 Forming Committees 19 Brainstorm: Contractor Considerations 20 Brainstorm: Contractor Selection Questions 22 Sample Questions for Your Contractor 23 Tips for Contractor Selection 24 Brainstorm: Community Stakeholders 26 Brainstorm: Outreach Opportunities 27 Tips for Community Outreach 28 Program Branding Considerations 29 Spark Northwest Support Packages 30 Appendix 1: Frequently Asked Questions 32 Appendix 2: Solar Advocacy& Resources 35 11 Training Contacts NAME COMMUNITY ; EMAIL PHONE 1- - 1 1 1 H- 1 fi 1 r 1 1 1 r t 1 1 1 H- H I r 1 1 1 1 r - r 1 1 1 r t 1 1 1 H- 1- I H l� 1 1 1 t 1 1 1 r t 1 1 1 1 1 1 H- 1- I r 1 H- t 1 1 1 1 r - 1 1 1 r t 1 1 3 12 Personal Role and Motivations 1. What are my personal reasons for participating in a Solarize U training? What do I hope to gain or learn? 2. Do I represent an organization? How might this training help to achieve the mission of my organization? 3. What skills and strengths do I bring to this effort? 4. What are the three most important results I hope to accomplish with a Solarize campaign in my community? By when? 5. What assets, resources, and time am I able to bring to this effort? 4 13 Tackling Solar Market Barriers From the launch of the Solarize model in Portland, Oregon through its spread around the country,the program has resulted in spectacular market growth. The Solarize model tackles three major market barriers: cost, complexity, and customer inertia. High Upfront Cost Residential solar installations have high upfront costs—currently ranging between $ $15,000 and $30,000 for the average sized residential system. By combining the Solarize discount with existing federal, state, and utility incentives,the Solarize model can drive final costs much lower than the initial sticker price. Contractor savings on marketing and lead generation typically drive upfront costs down by 5-15%. When paired with a 30%federal tax credit and utility energy savings, the cost of a solar system starts to look much more palatable. Complexity For many, a solar purchase seems a dauntingly complex decision, involving ' °'�`� ---. • choices about technical issues such as inverter efficiency, PV modules, and , e � , 4 ? �, optimal array tilt. Even choosing between contractors can be an ? l overwhelming task for those not technically inclined. Every aspect of the Solarize program is designed to provide actionable information while reducing complexity. A committee of neighbors pre-selects the contractor through a competitive bidding process and negotiates the cost. Workshops and Q&A sessions focus on the practical steps to making a purchase. The program reduces a dizzying array of technical choices to one simple question for participants: yes or no? Customer Inertia The sales cycle for solar is usually more than two years from first inquiry to installation. There are many tasks to complete and people to talk to, and no Obt.L._ easy "how-to" manual to guide aspiring solar owners through the process. a�_s1` The Solarize project uses education, competitive pricing, and a limited time offering to overcome customer inertia and achieve installations in three to five months. The combination of these factors motivates customers to act. In addition, the spirit of group endeavor affords safety in numbers, so that participants don't feel that they are making a decision on their own. 5 14 Essential Elements of the Solarize Model While each Solarize campaign looks slightly different—reflecting the different priorities and goals of each neighborhood—there are some common elements that consistently lead to success: competitive contractor selection, community-led outreach, and a limited time offering. Competitive Contractor Selection Selecting the contractor(s)through a competitive process led by community volunteers is essential on several fronts. First, it affords homeowners the simplicity of a pre-selected contractor while building confidence that the dr r contractor was selected from a range of options. Second, it provides a transparent process that builds customer and contractor trust. The selection criteria should reflect the unique values of the community, whether they are creating local jobs or driving prices down, or a combination of several factors. By having a competitive process with specific criteria,the project organizers can justify their choice, while sending a clear market message about customer and community values. Community-Led Outreach and Education Another element of a successful campaign is community-led outreach supported by a trusted local organization. Community members distribute flyers, and speak at local meetings and events, and support workshops, delivering a direct appeal from one neighbor to another to join the campaign. Harnessing community power in this way has many benefits: the community becomes invested in the success of the project,the scope and scale of the outreach is amplified, and neighbors are more responsive to the appeals. Community-led outreach also allows the contractor to save on marketing costs because they do not need to spend as much time generating leads. With neighborhood volunteers generating hot leads,the contractor can focus on site assessments and installations. Limited Time Offer Nothing motivates people like a deadline. A Solarize campaign is a limited time offer, creating a sense of urgency among residents who don't want to miss a good /11110 deal. The limited time offer also keeps the program true to its market transformation goals:to jump-start the solar market and then step aside. Some contractors may object to the perceived "monopoly" awarded to those contractors selected for the project. The limited-time offer may help mitigate that contractor concern. In fact, a successful Solarize campaign can increase business for non-Solarize installers as well by increasing customer education, awareness, and demand. 6 15 Value Proposition AUDIENCE ROLE VALUE PROPOSITION organize/act as community liaison/ energy education/framework for Community serve as trusted resource/perform community organizing+sustainability Groups community outreach/select campaign work/increase credibility/increase P media attention/catalyst for group contractor/support workshops cohesion and membership respond to RFP/provide price discount/ meet capacity and time demands/ increase business/educate the market/ Contractors support outreach efforts/present at efficient business development/hot leads workshops/perform site assessments/ /free marketing/increase credibility/ install solar systems/report progress to boost brand organizers simple process/discounted price/ register online/attend workshop/sign connection to tax credits+incentives/ up for site assessment/purchase solar/ information from a credible+trusted Homeowners promote program to neighbors+friends/ source/community organization around share solar photos solar/solar bragging rights/hedge against energy cost increases register online/attend workshop/sign simple process/discounted price/ Businesses up for site assessment/purchase solar/ connection to tax credits+incentives/ promote program to clients solar bragging rights/hedge against energy cost increases/boost green brand provide news coverage/interview ■r extend reach/progressive content/ Media strong story+ narrative/community participants/keep apprised of progress connections fund campaign/connect with other Funders funding sources/provide credibility/ tangible results/high impact campaign/ promote and advertise program raise visibility+prestige provide net metering and interconnection services/fund campaign/provide promote distributed generation+ Utilitie_ credibility/support workshops/provide incentives/support+strengthen electric resources+information/advertise grid/help achieve renewable energy campaign to customers goals/provide customer interface 7 16 Role Mapping PROJECT MANAGER COMMUNITY PARTNER INSTALLER Prep: Identify membership- Draft & circulate RFP to Month 1 2 & 3 based group willing to solar contractors; act as community Respond to REP; review proposals; partner; support propose group discount interview firms; select contractor selection installation partner process Launch: Develop & sign MOU; Sign MOU; establish establish campaign campaign timeline & Sign MOU; prepare Month 3 & 4 timeline & workshop workshop dates; internal systems for dates; set up develop &finalize efficient lead contact & participant database & outreach materials & management registration processes; outreach plan open registration Saturation: Administer registration & participant database; Support monthly Month 5 & 6 deliver monthly Drive local outreach; educational workshops; educational workshops; support monthly manage ongoing site maintain educational workshops; assessments & communication with engage media installations; report campaign participants; progress monitor progress Complete site Wrap: Close registration; Lead final outreach assessments; finalize Month 7 & 8 deliver final workshop; push; support final contracting deadline; finalize contracting workshop continue installations; deadline report progress Tail: Message campaign Complete installations; Plan & host campaign successes; plan & host plan & host campaign Month 8 & 9 celebration campaign celebration celebration 8 Sample Timeline Hours M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 M7 M8 M9 Task 1: Prep 80 25 25 30 Solicit & select community partner 15 Volunteer orientation &form committees 10 Draft, finalize, & circulate RFP 25 Evaluate proposals & collate scores 15 Interview top-scoring firms and select installer 15 Task 2: Launch 30 25 5 Draft &finalize MOU 5 Draft &finalize website, registration database 10 Draft &finalize outreach materials 10 Kickoff meeting 5 Task 3: Saturation 125 55 35 35 Draft &finalize workshop presentation 20 Schedule & conduct community workshops 15 15 15 Perform community outreach 10 10 10 Manage database & lead communications 10 10 10 Task 4: Wrap 50 30 20 Conduct final community workshops 10 Perform final outreach push 10 Manage database & lead communications 10 10 Set contracting deadline, monitor progress 10 Task 5: Tail 35 15 20 Plan & execute celebration 5 10 Monitor final installations 5 5 Wrap up participant communications 5 5 TOTAL HOURS 320 25 25 55 60 35 35 30 35 20 18 Campaign Checklist ❑ Steering committee formed ❑ Outreach committee formed ❑ Request for Proposals finalized Prep: ElProposals received Month 1, 2, &3 ❑ Proposals evaluated / ❑ Installation partner selected ❑ MOU signed ❑ Campaign timeline finalized ❑ Participant database complete Launch: ❑ Registration website complete ❑ Outreach materials finalized Month 3 & 4 ❑ Outreach plan finalized ❑ Registration opened ❑ Workshop content finalized Saturation: ❑ Workshop #1 complete Month 5& 6 ❑ Workshop #2 complete ❑ Workshop #3 complete ❑ Registration closed ElWorkshop #4 complete Wrap: ❑ Contracting deadline set Month 7 & 8 ❑ Contracts signed ❑ Installations complete Tail: ❑ Celebration planned Month 8& 9 ❑ Celebration complete 19 Solar PV Technology PV ARRAY • i40. ••-•elpp. V DC DC/AC PRODUCTION + DISCONNECT INVERTER METER • 511111111111 BUILDING :BREAKER BOX STANDARD UTILITY BILLING METER Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems convert sunlight into electricity to power your home or business. When the sun shines on a solar PV array, it produces direct current (DC) electricity. This DC electricity flows through an inverter, which "translates"the power to the alternating current (AC) electricity that is used in your home. The AC electricity flows from the inverter to the production meter, which measures every kilowatt-hour produced by your system. The electricity then flows through your breaker box and powers your home's current energy load. If your solar system is producing more energy than is being used in your home, the excess will flow to the grid through the utility billing meter. When you install a solar PV system, your billing meter will be swapped out with a bi-directional net meter, which allows you to have a push/pull relationship with the utility grid. A net meter credits your account when you push energy into the grid, and deducts from your account when you pull energy from the grid. Net excess generation is credited to your next bill as a kilowatt-hour credit. At the end of an annual period, any unused net excess generation credit is granted to the electric utility. 11 20 Solar Incentives Federal Investment Tax Credit Taxpaying residents who install a solar system are eligible to receive a tax credit in the sum of 30%of the total system cost. If your tax appetite isn't large enough to absorb the entire credit in one year, it can be rolled over to future years. Begins phase-out December 31, 2019, Washington State Renewable Energy Production Incentive Washington State provides an incentive for every kilowatt-hour of electricity produced, regardless of whether that electricity is used onsite or exported to the grid, for the eight years following installation. The rate received depends on when it was installed, the size of the system, and whether the solar panels were manufactured in Washington or out of state. The total amount that received from this incentive cannot be more than 50%of the total system cost, including sales tax.This incentive has already reached its cap in Pacific Power Territory, and will not be accepting any more projects unless funding is increased by state legislature. Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grant American agricultural producers and rural small business qualify for the REAP grant, which can cover up to $500,000 or 25%of your total project cost (whichever is lower). In order to qualify as an agricultural producer, over 50% of your gross income must come from agricultural production which includes farming crops, livestock, forestry, or dairies. In order to qualify as a rural small business,you must be located in a community with a population under 50,000 and also qualify as a small business under the federal guidelines set by the Small Business Association (SBA). Spark Northwest can provide assistance with applying for REAP grants. Utility Net Metering Utility customers may receive credits for delivering excess electricity back to the grid. When your solar system is producing more than your home's current load, that excess electricity is pushed back into the grid, making your meter "spin backwards" and lowering your electric bill. The utility customer is credited at retail rate for any electricity pushed into the grid, and only pays for the net amount of energy used. Excess credits are rolled over to the next billing period. Any credits is left in April of each year are forfeited. More information on all federal, state, and utility incentives can be found at www.dsireusa.orq. Solarize Group Discount Participating solar contractors are able to achieve savings through group purchasing. These savings are passed on to the customer in the form of the Solarize discount. Depending on the installation partner, the Solarize discount is typically 10-15%off the retail cost of a solar system. 12 21 Pricing Example Example #1: Solar system made in Washington • System size: 6 kilowatts (6,000 watts) • Retail system cost(after sales tax): $3.50/watt • Solarize discount: $0.50/watt • Cost of electricity: $0.11/kilowatt-hour • Annual production: 1,000 kilowatt-hours/kilowatt installed Stagy.= Cost/(Benefit) Notes Sticker Price $21,000 System size x Retail system cost Solarize Discount ($3,000) Comes from reduced System size x Solarize discount cost of customer acquisition Upfront Cost $18,000 Sticker price—Solarize discount Federal Investment Tax Credit ($5,400) One time 30%tax credit; Upfront cost x 0.30 can be rolled over into subsequent years Utility Net Metering (660) Credit accrues to utility System size x Annual production x Cost of bills; annual true-up each electricity April NET COST AFTER YEAR ONE $11,940 13 22 Pricing Example Example #2: Solar system made outside of Washington • System size: 6 kilowatts (6,000 watts) • Retail system cost(after sales tax): $3.00/watt • Solarize discount: $0.50/watt • Cost of electricity: $0.11/kilowatt-hour • Annual production: 1,000 kilowatt-hours/kilowatt installed (in Western WA) Stagy.= Cost/(Benefit) Notes Sticker Price $18,000 System size x Retail system cost Solarize Discount ($3,000) Comes from reduced System size x Solarize discount cost of customer acquisition Upfront Cost $15,000 Sticker price—Solarize discount Federal Investment Tax Credit ($4,500) One time 30%tax Upfront cost x 0.30 credit; can be rolled over into subsequent years Utility Net Metering ($660) Credit accrues to utility System size x Annual production x Cost of bills; annual true-up electricity each April NET COST AFTER YEAR ONE $10,500 14 23 General Lessons and Considerations The following lessons and considerations are based on feedback from Solarize campaigns around the country. Tap the Grassroots Solarize campaigns are successful because they tap the grassroots to design and market the program. In a positive feedback loop,the process of creating and deploying the program builds community pride that encourages higher levels of participation in the community. Involve the Community in Decision-Making The RFP process is an opportunity for the community to create an empowering statement of values. With guidance from technical experts, volunteers craft the contractor selection criteria and exercise choice in the selection of the installers). Use Community-Based Marketing Solarize is a classic example of community-based social marketing: Information reaches people through face-to-face encounters with friends and neighbors, house parties, and other social interactions. Although the campaign uses the web and other traditional media,the thrust of the marketing appeal is personal. In contrast to a plea from the government or the utility,the appeal comes directly from a friend or neighbor. Question for Reflection: What are the informal neighborhood communication networks in your community? Is there a popular local hangout? A blog that everyone reads? A beloved community newspaper or radio program? Collaborate with a Trusted Local Organization &Assign a Project Manager A successful campaign collaborates with a trusted local organization that has a history of helping people. Local organizations provide "third party validation" which instills trust in the program. Regardless of the organization, each campaign has a dedicated project manager to orchestrate the effort. Question for Reflection: Which organization(s) in your community could serve as a trusted partner? Plan for Success The first Solarize effort in Portland set a goal of 25 installations. When 350 residents signed up, the manual process of entering registrant information into a spreadsheet quickly became 15 24 untenable, and the contractor realized that they needed a customer service plan to keep in touch with customers over the several months that they would have to wait to get through the installation queue. Project organizers should plan for success and put efficient systems in place for capturing registration information, sharing information with contractors, and following up with customers. Consider selecting more than one contractor,so that no single contractor is overwhelmed with jobs. Smaller contractors in particular may need support to build their customer relationship management systems to handle a program of regular follow-ups to keep warm leads "warm" until they can reach the customer. Project organizers can help contractors by ensuring that they have thought through their customer service plan. Question for Reflection: What would success look like in your community? Number of solar systems installed? Number of people educated about solar? Sense of community growth and cohesion around a common goal? Pricing Considerations To what extent is the success of Solarize due to low prices? Campaign results suggest that prices and incentives vary widely from market to market, and project organizers should consider several points when designing the price of the offer. Absolute Price is Less Important than the Perception of a Good Deal In general, most people don't know what a solar installation is supposed to cost, so they have no price "yardstick"to evaluate the program offering. More important than getting "the best deal" is the assurance that participants are not getting a bad deal. As long as the price is set the same for everyone, and it is demonstrably less expensive than the "going rate"for individual solar installations, people perceive the cost as "a good deal." In fact, many RFP committees select final bids that were not the lowest price, but the best value, providing a reasonable price for high quality service. Fixed Price vs. Descending Price:Pros and Cons Some Solarize campaigns effectively use a descending price scale to encourage higher participation. While a descending price can motivate early enrollees to recruit others, it also adds complexity: it delays the time at which the final price is determined, so the contractor cannot quote a final price to early enrollees. Contractors might quote the highest price, and collect payment in several installments, with a contract clause that the final installment will be adjusted to reflect the final price. 16 25 However, organizers might consider fixed flat pricing from the start, and use other means to encourage recruiting. In many cases,the contractor's ability to offer a lower price is not due to the savings on volume purchases of equipment as much as the savings in time and effort in marketing. Larger contractors often have access to volume equipment pricing even without the group purchase, so their savings are more likely to be realized in the community-run sales and marketing. They can commit to their lowest price knowing that the grassroots community-based social marketing effort will bring them hot leads with a high conversion rate. Question for Reflection: Pricing aside, what other factors might members of your community see as important in selecting a quality solar installer? Program Funding Considerations Deploying a Solarize campaign costs money. Despite harnessing volunteer labor for everything from planning to marketing to contractor selection, a successful campaign will need the oversight of a project manager and will incur costs for marketing materials, database administration, and communications. Some campaigns have relied on staff at neighborhood coalitions or the city. Others have secured grants to assist with campaign funding. Communities without paid staff or grants should consider other options for funding. Collect a Per Watt Fee Project organizers could consider building a small per watt fee into the contractor's scope of work which is then passed on to the customer. The contractor can still offer a competitive price, because they are saving money on marketing, while the program establishes a source of funding for everything from staff time to outreach materials. Organizers might still need seed funding to launch the project until the installations and fees begin to flow. Create a Buyer's Co-op Some groups have had success with adopting a co-op model to fund their Solarize efforts, charging program participants a fee of$0.10 per watt (e.g. $250 for a 2.5 kW system)to join the co-op. The fee was intended to cover program management, database administration, and outreach. However, it may be more palatable to customers to have the co-op fee rolled into the contractor fee, so that they only write one check. Leverage Contractor Marketing Dollars and Expertise As noted,the community-led marketing campaign saves contractors money. In return, the selected contractors may have marketing materials and expertise that they can 17 26 share with the campaign. For example, contractors can provide yard signs, marketing flyers, rent a booth at the farmer's market, and cover other incidental marketing costs. In past campaigns, installers have provided financial assistance with everything from door hangers to bus and radio advertisements. Secure Local Utility Program Funds Electric utilities may be interested in supporting the labor and/or material costs for a Solarize campaign as a way of delivering a popular customer service. The campaigns provide outreach and education about energy and build a constituency that interacts more closely with their utility. In addition, utilities may be able to claim Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)from programs that they sponsor. In Washington, utilities that incentivize solar PV can double count that production toward meeting their Renewable Portfolio Standard. Question for Reflection: Which funding method (or combination of funding methods) di you think would work in your community? Why? 18 27 Forming Committees CONTRACTOR SELECTION OUTREACH & EDUCATION 5-7 volunteers 3-10 volunteers Need Consistent commitment Variable commitment okay required 3 months 3-6 months Duration (Prep, Launch) (Launch, Saturation, Wrap) • Draft Request for Proposals • Recruit volunteers and • Circulate Request for coordinate volunteer Proposals assignments • Develop scoring rubric • Schedule community workshops • Score proposals • Develop outreach plan Responsibilities • Interview top-scoring firms • Finalize outreach materials • Select installer(s) • Distribute outreach • Participate in kickoff materials meeting—handoff to • Present at local meetings, outreach committee events, markets, etc. • Generate attendance at workshops • Analytical • People person • Comfortable digesting • Many community technical information connections • Able to accommodate 1-2 • Comfortable talking to half-or full-day meetings strangers Characteristics • Not affiliated with a local • Experience with marketing, solar installer graphic design a plus! • Experience with green • Experience with community building, architecture a organizing a plus! plus! 19 28 Brainstorm : Contractor Considerations Exercise: 1. Without consulting with fellow members of the contractor selection committees, rank the following list of categories on a scale of 1 (not important)to 5 (very important). Try to reserve a ranking of"very important" for no more than 5 categories. 2. Circle back with the contractor selection committee. Tally a total score for each category and note in the space provided. 3. Discuss the contractor selection committee's total scores—assess where priorities lie. Are there major differences between committee members? Other categories that committee members feel should be on the list? Use this information to shape the Request for Proposals, and to develop weights for the scoring rubric you will use to evaluate proposals. Not Somewhat Very Priority TOTAL Important Important Important Contractor offers lowest 1 2 3 4 5 solar system prices Contractor offers a wide variety of solar system 1 2 3 4 5 options Contractor offers solar system components 1 2 3 4 5 made locally Contractor is based in the community 1 2 3 4 5 Contractor has been in 1 2 3 4 5 business for a long time Contractor has a large 1 2 3 4 5 number of staff Contractor has high number of professional 1 2 3 4 5 certifications 20 29 Not Somewhat Very Priority TOTAL Important Important Important Contractor is a union 1 2 3 4 5 shop Contractor provides comprehensive 1 2 3 4 5 employee benefits Contractor offers ownership opportunities 1 2 3 4 5 to employees Contractor has a history of community 1 2 3 4 5 involvement Contractor offers assistance with 1 2 3 4 5 marketing Contractor offers fixed 1 2 3 4 5 prices Contractor offers tiered 1 2 3 4 5 prices Contractor incorporates sustainability into 1 2 3 4 5 business practices Contractor collaborates with student training 1 2 3 4 5 programs Contractor offers additional services (ex: 1 2 3 4 5 energy retrofits, EVs) tother] 1 2 3 4 5 tother] 1 2 3 4 5 tother] 1 2 3 4 5 21 30 Brainstorm : Contractor Selection Questions Exercise: Pretend that you've just gotten three bids for a solar installation on your own home. Surprise— all of the bids quote the same price! How will you decide which contractor to work with? Brainstorm questions that you would ask to differentiate one solar contractor from another. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 22 31 Sample Questions for your Contractor 1. What kind of demand do you expect in this Solarize campaign? How would you handle greater than expected demand, if necessary? 2. Pretend I'm a Solarize participant—walk me through your process,from receipt of my registration information through site assessment, contracting, and permitting. If more than one contractor will be involved, please include an explanation of how leads are split between firms. 3. Please bring a standard example of a customer bid. Walk me through the bid, as you would with a typical customer. 4. What do you think will be the top 3 successful outreach mechanisms for spreading the word about this Solarize campaign? What types of assistance and materials can your firm provide to help with these outreach efforts? 5. Please specify the state/country where each of the proposed systems are made. Include information about production vs. manufacturing of specific parts when possible. 6. Looking at the system options presented in your proposal, what percentage of your sales does each system type typically comprise? If you tend to sell one system more than another, can you explain why? 7. Based on your typical residential installations, what costs savings (in ) would Solarize participants be achieving with your proposed prices? 8. How will you avoid bottlenecks when processing a large number of leads? 9. How do you plan to store, stage, and maintain equipment, from the time it is shipped to your firm through its installation on a participant's home? Please include your plan for on-site equipment storage during the installation process, if relevant. 10. Please bring a standard example of a "Customer Care Book" and/or materials that you leave with the homeowner following system installation. 11. What information will you provide to assist homeowners in obtaining financing? 12. Are you currently applying for and/or involved in any other solar group buy projects? How would you prioritize this Solarize campaign relative to the rest of your workload? 23 32 Tips for Contractor Selection Use the contractor as a resource—don't get bogged down in the details. Members of the contractor selection committee are tasked with selecting a contractor that will best serve the needs and values of their community. Selection committee members often get bogged down in the technical details of solar, especially those for whom solar technology is unfamiliar. It is important to remember that selection committee members do not need to know everything about solar technology! One of the best ways to serve on the contractor selection committee is to pretend that you're selecting a contractor for your own home. What questions would you need answered to feel confident in this decision? If the selection committee is getting bogged down with technical questions about solar, table those questions for after the contractor is selected. Once selected, the solar contractor will be there as a resource to answer technical questions posed by the community—they are the solar experts! This will help keep the committee on track during the selection process. Keep interviews effective by asking questions that matter. Interviews provide a valuable chance to interface with the contractor and get key questions answered. In many cases, the contractor's ability to effectively interact with the selection committee (and potential customers) is just as important as their answers to interview questions. Make sure that the questions asked in interviews are ones that will matter in the selection committee's decision making process. Valuable questions test how the contractor will respond to difficult or unexpected situations, interact with the customer, and go above and beyond to serve the target community—these are questions that will differentiate one contractor from another. Questions that are likely to produce the same answer from each contractor should be tabled until after the contractor selection process. Prioritize back office processes and quick customer contact. Through Solarize campaigns, contractors receive a large batch of leads after every workshop and are encouraged to follow up with them within one week. Quick, predictable follow up with workshop attendees is vital to maintain excitement and efficiently move participants through the process. However, scheduling 30, 50, or even 100 customer contacts can prove overwhelming for an office staff not accustomed to processing large batches of leads in a short period of time. Inputting customer data into a spreadsheet quickly becomes untenable when dealing with upwards of 100 leads. During interviews, ensure that there is a staff person dedicated to maintaining the back office component of the contractor's business. Better yet, suggest that the contractor use a customer relationship management (CRM) software to help manage leads in an efficient manner. 24 33 Pay attention to additional cost factors. The RFP template provided includes a standard pricing form (Exhibit C). The pricing form asks the contractor to set a standard price-per-watt for each system type, and includes a section to detail additional cost factors—any non-standard factors that may result in an increased system cost. Pay attention to these adders and how they might impact the target community. For example, if 80%of the target housing stock has wood shake roofs and the contractor proposes a $0.50 per watt adder for installing on wood shake, the actual cost to many participants is likely to be much higher than the standard prices would suggest. As necessary, ask the installer to explain the reasoning behind their price adders during interviews. But, don't spend too much time on price. At the outset, it may seem that price is the most important component of a contractor's proposal. For some participants, this may be the case—but as a selection committee member it is vital to consider proposals in their entirety. In fact, Solarize campaigns around the country have shown that the perception of"getting a good deal"is more important than meeting any particular price point. As long as the price is set the same for everyone, and it is demonstrably less expensive than the "going rate"for individual solar installations, people perceive the cost as "a good deal." Post-interview deliberations about solar prices can easily devolve into a frustrating comparison of apples and oranges—contractors all offer a per-watt price, but often use varying parameters for additional cost factors. To address this, have the selection committee develop a "standard system": set the system size, system type, roof slope, roof type, and number of stories and apply proposed prices to that system to get a better idea of what a real-world installation might cost. If the system costs are close enough between contractors (i.e. less than $1,000-$2,000 difference in total cost),table the discussion of price altogether. Set a timeline, and stick to it! I would be easy to spend weeks dissecting the merits and failings of one contractor over another—but this is not in the best interest of the selection committee. While it is important to set aside enough time to seriously consider the options at hand, it is also important to avoid getting derailed by minor details. In many cases,the selection committee is choosing between a handful of well-qualified contractors. If the committee is spending an excess amount of time on proposal evaluation and scoring, move on to interviews—meeting contractors face-to-face can help fill the holes left by written proposals. Likewise, if the selection committee is vacillating between contractors post-interview, hone in on what differentiates the contractors from one another. Opinions change with discussion, so hold periodic check-in votes to assess which contractors are "out" or "in." Most importantly, set a decision deadline and stick to it. 25 34 Brainstorm : Community Stakeholders NAME CONTACT PHONE/EMAIL WHO WILL PERSON CONTACT? Community leaders, active citizens People with computer, media, PR skills Environmental and sustainability groups Community organizations, service clubs Chamber of Commerce, business groups Utility representatives Local government staff, elected officials Local banks, credit unions 26 35 Brainstorm : Outreach Opportunities NAME CONTACT PHONE/EMAIL WHO WILL PERSON CONTACT? Community newspapers Organizational newsletters Community blogs Event calendars Local radio Utility communications Poster/flyer sites Social media Other 27 36 Tips for Community Outreach Break down outreach tasks by type or geography. The outreach team is tasked with spearheading community engagement for the duration of the Solarize campaign registration period. This can prove to be a daunting assignment, especially when targeting a large geographic area. To make outreach tasks easier for volunteers to digest, break them down by type or geography. For example, have one volunteer manage all flyer distribution, one volunteer manage all news media contact, one volunteer manage all social media, and so on. Or, split the target community into reasonably sized zones, and assign a volunteer outreach lead for each zone. Breaking down outreach into manageable tasks gives each volunteer a sense of personal responsibility and accomplishment. Keep it simple—expensive advertising is not necessarily more effective. Solarize outreach teams have experimented extensively with different forms of outreach, testing what works best in their community. If the resources are available, outreach volunteers may gravitate towards expensive outreach tools like television, newspaper, and radio advertisements. While these forms of outreach do generate a large number of"hits,"they have proven significantly less effective in getting people out to a Solarize workshop. Instead, reach a large audience by embracing the grassroots nature of the campaign—ask participants to tap their personal networks, set up a weekly table at the local farmers market, or pass out flyers at popular community event. Maximize word of mouth—build the buzz! When Solarize participants are asked how they heard about the campaign, they consistently cite a conversation with a neighbor or friend that sparked their interest. Time and time again, word of mouth has topped the list as a means of getting people interested in the program. Encourage your outreach team to spread the word within their personal networks, and encourage those folks to forward program information along to their networks. Personal conversations with neighbors and friends serve to instill trust in the campaign and reinforce program messaging. Oftentimes, a conversation will remind someone that they've already seen a Solarize flyer or news article, and get them to come out to that next workshop. Every community is different. Ultimately, every community will employ a different blend of outreach tactics to build the buzz around their campaign. In a small community, strategically placed signs or flyers at popular intersections might be the magic bullet, while larger communities might need a widespread social media campaign to jumpstart interest. Think about how you find out about community events, and go from there. Don't be afraid to experiment! 37 Program Branding Considerations The "Solarize" concept originated in 2009 in Portland, Oregon. With the publication of Spark Northwest's The Solarize Guidebook, the Solarize model has since spread across the nation. Spark Northwest supports the replication of Solarize campaigns, which further our mission to create clean energy communities. Capitalizing on this exciting trend, several solar group purchase campaigns have sprung up that use similar marketing efforts but have distinct differences from the community-led Solarize model. These campaigns could potentially dilute the Solarize brand or confuse the market, and campaign organizers must walk a fine line between encouraging the spread of a successful idea and maintaining brand integrity. In some places, Solarize has been trademarked. For example, the City of Portland has the service mark for "Solarize" in Oregon, and they allow anyone who meets their criteria to use the name. Likewise, Spark Northwest has trademarked "Solarize Northwest," "Solarize Washington," and "Solarize Seattle." Under a Creative Commons license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/bv-nc-nd/3.0/us/),those interested in replication are welcome to share our materials as long as they are not used for a commercial purpose. (Selling solar installations is a commercial purpose for the installer, but not for the community group that organizes the campaign!) To use the Solarize name, a Solarize campaign should contain three key elements: • Competitively selected contractor • Grassroots outreach • Time limited campaign Campaign organizers should be sure to incorporate all three elements, and may consider securing a creative commons license for their campaign name. While Spark Northwest does want others to use the ideas presented in this workbook and The Solarize Guidebook, they are not permitted to copy our website content,outreach materials, or workshop presentations without explicit permission. If outside contractors or organizers attempt to reuse campaign materials as their own, Spark Northwest will urge them to: • Use the word "Solarize" only if they meet the three established criteria listed above. • If not meeting the three established criteria listed above, avoid confusion in the marketplace by not using words that sound similar to "Solarize." • Use Spark Northwest materials and language only if they have completed a Solarize U training or have received explicit permission in writing from Spark Northwest. 38 Appendix 1 : Frequently Asked Questions Why are solar systems manufactured in Washington more expensive than those manufactured out of state? Several reasons. For one, the Washington solar manufacturing industry is set up to serve a largely local market, whereas other US companies like SolarWorld or SunPower serve a global market—the Washington solar industry isn't producing at the same scale as other large US companies yet. Is the cost per watt just for the panels, or is it all-inclusive? Costs presented include all system costs —components, hardware, and labor. The only reason that a system cost would exceed the stated cost per watt is if your system falls outside of the "standard" installation outlined by the installer. If that is the case, you will be subject to small adders for the non-standard pieces of your installation. The adders have been pre-negotiated by your community just like the standard cost per watt. Where does the group discount come from? Solarize uses grassroots organizing to mobilize the community and spread the word about the program, which saves money for the installer in marketing costs. Solarize also educates neighbors as a group, which saves time for the installer because they don't have to individually educate each lead. As such, the Solarize discount is much more dependent on reduced customer acquisition costs than reduced material acquisition costs. Contrary to common perception, very little (if any) of the discount is actually derived from the installer's ability to buy in bulk from the manufacturer. Is my annual production incentive considered taxable income? No, not by the State of Washington, and probably not by the IRS. The Federal Government generally doesn't tax energy efficiency incentives. What if my tax appetite isn't big enough to absorb the Federal Tax Credit? If your tax appetite isn't large enough to absorb the entire credit in one year, it can be rolled over to future years. However, the legal language leaves it unclear as to whether the remaining tax credit can be rolled over for just one year or for as many years as is necessary. Consult your accountant. How much does a site assessment cost? Nothing! A Solarize site assessment is free and no-obligation. 30 39 How much space does a solar system take up? The general "rule of thumb" is that one kilowatt of solar requires 80-100 square feet of roof space. Total space required will vary based on how big your solar system is. Will solar panels harm my roof? Solar panels will actually extend the lifetime of your roof! They protect the roof surface from harmful UV rays and weathering effects, which both contribute to roof deterioration. What if I have an old roof? Most installers recommend that you have at least 10-15 years left on your roof in order to install solar PV so you don't have to pay to take down and reinstall your solar panels shortly after you put them up. If your roof is close to the end of its life, it is generally a good idea to re-roof at the same time as you install solar. Some people re-roof only the section under the solar modules at the time of their installation, and re-roof the rest at a later date. What is the process for re-roofing if you already have a solar system? It is relatively simple to un-install the solar modules to accommodate a re-roofing project, and then re-install them after the roof is completed. Your installer will charge you a small fee (typically in the range of$1000-2000) to complete a residential un- install/re-install process. How will a solar system affect the value of my home? Recent studies have shown that solar PV systems increase home value and the speed at which homes sell. What if I want to sell my home? Do I keep the benefits of the system, or do they transfer to the next owner? When you move, you will need to notify the utility by filling out paperwork that transfers system ownership and incentives from you to the new owner. You will not retain system ownership or incentive benefits. The good news is that solar usually increases the resale value of your home, so you may come out ahead financially, even if your system has not paid back yet. Will I have power when the grid goes down? Only if you have battery back-up. When the grid goes down, utility linemen expect that no power will be entering the grid when they are doing repairs. If your solar system is producing even a small amount of power, it could be life-threatening to line workers. To address this issue,today's inverters will not function when there is no utility power,thus preventing your solar system from pushing power into your home or the grid. 31 40 One option is an inverter with a "secure power supply" as one of the options. This inverter will provided power to a single outlet when the sun is shining. So what about battery backup? Residential battery systems have dropped in price a lot in the past few years, but they are still fairly expensive, ranging from $5,000-$15,000. Unlike with solar, battery systems generally don't provide you with any revenue streams or lower energy bills, so you will not be able to "pay back" this investment. If having backup power is worth the cost for you, then most solar installers can design and install a system for you. Another option is to design your solar system to allow battery backup in the future, when prices may be lower. Technology progresses fast—won't solar PV be twice as efficient and half as expensive in 10 years? Historical data shows that solar PV efficiency progresses at the rate of about 0.1% per year. That means in that in 10 years, solar PV might be about 1%more efficient. Prices have come down a lot, but we don't know if that trend will continue forever. In the meantime, incentives will step down or sunset, and you'll miss an opportunity to make clean energy! What about solar shingles? Solar shingles are an exciting product that could make going solar easier if you are already replacing your roof, or if you want the sleek aesthetics that they offer. However, they are more expensive than traditional solar, and few products are currently available in Washington. Solar shingles are also not a good fit for Solarize, since not many participants will be planning a roof replacement during the campaign period. What about my roof/utility bill/budget...? The best way to see if and how solar will work for you is to schedule a site assessment! The installer will work with you one-on-one to determine how solar will play into your current energy use, roof space, and budget. 32 41 Appendix 2 : Solar Advocacy & Resources National American Solar Energy Society(www.ases.org) The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is the nation's leading association of solar professionals and advocates. Since 1954, ASES has sought to inspire an era of energy innovation and speed the transition to a sustainable energy economy. ➢ Become a member:Visit the ASES web page to become a member. As a member, you will receive a subscription to the ASES publication Solar Today. The Vote Solar Initiative (www.votesolar.org) Vote Solar is a non-profit grassroots organization working to fight climate change and foster economic opportunity by bringing solar energy into the mainstream. Since 2002, Vote Solar has engaged in state, local and federal advocacy campaigns to remove regulatory barriers and implement key policies needed to bring solar to scale. ➢ Take Action:Visit Vote Solar's "Take Action" page to see how you can contribute to advancing solar policy in Washington State. DSIRE Database (www.dsireusa.org) DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state,federal, local, and utility incentives and policies that support renewable energy and energy efficiency. Established in 1995 and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, DSIRE is an ongoing project of the North Carolina Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council. ➢ Interactive Map: DSIRE offers the go-to resource for state-by-state information on solar incentives and policies. Visit the interactive map for a full breakdown of Washington's incentives, and see how they stack up . The Solarize Guidebook (available at www.sparknorthwest.org) The Solarize Guidebook, authored by Spark Northwest, is intended as a road map for project planners who want to convert "interest" into "action," break through market barriers, and transform the market for residential solar installations in their communities. The guidebook provides lessons, considerations, and step-by-step plans for project organizers to replicate the success of the Solarize model. The Solarize Guidebook was prepared for and funded by the Department of Energy, under the SunShot initiative. 33 42 State Solar Washington (www.solarwashington.org) Solar Washington is the Washington State chapter of ASES. By visiting the Solar Washington website, you can find out about local meetings, events, and volunteer opportunities. Solar Washington is often on the lookout for volunteers to help with advocacy events. ➢ Become a member:Annual contributions allow Solar Washington to host presentations from leading figures across the solar industry. Solar Washington continues to grow its role in shaping policy, helping to ensure that Washington State has a sustainable, robust solar energy policy for years to come. Additionally, Solar Washington provides networking opportunities for those interested in the solar industry. ➢ Solar Tour: Each year, Solar Washington organizes local tours of solar installations around the state. The group asks local volunteers to provide assistance with site coordination, signage, and acting as a docent on tour day. You do not need to have solar installed on your home to help out! Local Support a local Solarize campaign Galvanize your neighbors, spread the word, and watch solar take root in your neighborhood. Solar tour Act as a local liaison for the Solar Tour with Solar Washington (see above). Work with your utility Talk to your electric utility to find out what incentives and support they provide for solar customers. Nationwide Solarize Programs Cities and states around the country are joining the Solarize movement! Each program has a unique flavor, and can offer valuable lessons learned. • Solarize Northwest(www.solarizenw.org) Solarize Portland(www.solarizeportland.org) • Solarize Pendleton (www.solarizependleton.com) Solarize Massachusetts (www.solarizemass.com) • Solarize Connecticut(www.solarizect.com) • Solarize Santa Barbara(www.cecsb.org/solarize-santa-barbara) 34 43 Disclaimer The information, data, or work presented herein was funded in part by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof. 35 s©Iarize northwest Powered by Spark Northwest I j. ______/ n ai:i6 d I. 4144,h �: rF II r .11 1&,1. ,. • .�� I_ . �'1 s larize mercer island .... .al.. „ 7eI Ran4AnP dlih>Mr f:e.''''':.am �I.an m.n:a:ma�rea sr i 3°•S' n 10 j,I . r .Melt `_ - rrea: _ a _ �;. W + # r Solarize Mercer Island nearly tripled solar capacity in the community, engaged hundreds of citizens, seeded a community solar array on City Hall, and now serves as a model project for King County-Cities Climate Collaboration. • es.: .•• "' spark ... : .. • Northwest www.sparknorthwest.org s©Iarize northwest Powered by Spark Northwest What is Solarize? r= fir Solarize is a group purchase program designed Same deal for to simplify investing in solar energy. The Free workshops& ` / campaign organizes a volunteer committee of site assessments everyone residents to competitively select a solar installer who agrees to fixed pricing. At a series of free E educational workshops participants can learn about the technology, incentives,and financingResidents competitively / Community led gy select installer outreach&education options. If interested, participants can then sign up for a free site assessment and are guaranteed the Solarize price, if they sign a contract within41) the campaign timeline. Time limited Brought to you by your city leaders Rotes Spark Northwest's role is to support the project Timeline manager in every aspect of the program. We provide training,technical assistance,and Solarize is typically a 9 month outreach and education workshop presentations. We work with a program: designated project manager from within the local Month 1 2 3 4 5 G 7 8 9 government,whose role is to align staff, manage relationships with volunteers and participants, Plan x x x spearhead campaign promotion,and maintain Launch x I x energy for success. Outreach&Workshops x x x x x • Wrap up&Celebrate x x NWSEED City Installer Volunteers Utility Project ■ Management Contractor Selection Fact! Outreach& Marketing Volunteer 93%of Solarize Mercer Island participants said the Management program was worthwhile and interesting! Workshops Registration Database Site Assessments/ Installations Support "Through Solarize, the City took a leadership role in helping our citizens reduce carbon pollution" -Ross Freeman, Sustainability Manager For City of Mercer Island s©Iarize northwest Powered by Spark Northwest The City of Mercer Island (the City) hired Spark Northwest to co-manage Solarize Mercer Island in 2014. Their goal of 30 new solar installations was blown away when 42 homes and one business Solarized! Solarize was the City's answer to the growing interest in locally produced renewable energy. Keys to Success Tailored Training:Spark Northwest provides training for all staff&volunteers involved to kick off the campaign. . ! '� Dedicated Leadership:The City of Mercer Island's sustainability manager led the program from start to finish. Broad Commitment:The City made sustainability a priority so staff across departments were able to contribute to its Solarize campaign. Volunteer Engagement:The City recruited volunteers for Contractor Selection and Outreach committees. "Being part of a program with a community-vetted contractor helped tip me to take action." -Solarize Participant Solarize Legacy Leadership in sustainability:Solarize Mercer Island serves as an example We Think You've Got Potential! strategy for the King County-Cities Climate Collaboration (K4C) paid for R?Your root,boatFwu>e.°rpnte boks w_ dust rlgtitf°r a°ler. Smaller GHG footprint:Solarize avoided 205 metric tons of carbon emissions,equivalent to eliminating 43 passenger cars a year. � M�.. First Community Solar Project:For exceeding its goals,the City won a =°t % XXXXXXX.MR&MRS green t 8474 BSTH AVE SE �° ` small solar installation at City Hall.This served as the"seed"for its first MERCER I SLAN0 WA,9B040 Community Solar Project. ',. �'` Outreach innovation: Solarize offers room for creative outreach.The �„r, Get the details at www.mercergov.org/sola City tasked its GIS department to help with targeted marketing. Customized mailer targeted to sunny sites Solarize Mercer Island Metrics Fact! - .• Volunteers 14 Prior to Solarize, Mercer Island had only 32 grid-tied systems! Workshop Attendees 204 1 Workshops&Webinars 5 /✓ • r Site Assessments 147 �� , I r . e Total New Solar Installs 43 Total kW Installed 297 �. ' ` 17 11 Total$ Spent Locally $1,336,295 Solarize Discount 12% I • •• s©Iarize northwest Powered by Spark Northwest Did Solarize Help tarp city Reach Sustainabi(ity Goals? YES! The City exceeded its goals for greenhouse gas reductions and local energy generation. Solarize Mercer Island now serves as a case study for the King County-Cities Climate Collaboration, K4C. How Did the City Fund the Effort? The City contracted with Spark Northwest Sources of Funding Amount to provide program management,technical NW Solar Communities Mini-Grant +$10,000 assistance,database management,marketing King Conservation District Jurisdiction Grant +$10,000 collateral,and workshop delivery. Funding can come from a variety of places, including grants Puget Sound Energy Sponsorship +1,000 and utility sponsorships. Enthusiastic&Engaged Volunteers Priceless What Was the Impact? Mercer Island Solar PV Permits 50 Independent Solarize Solarize increased the City's solar capacity nearly three-fold and provided a high profile program that allowed the City to engage citizens on an issue of importance. The success of Solarize launched a 25 Community Solar installation on City property. 13 0 2012 2013 2014 J Ready to Solarize? ray the Numbers • Together,we can reduce your community's • carbon footprint! Spark Northwest has launched Spark Northwest's Solarize program has catalyzed: • 21 Solarize campaigns with community groups, utilities,&local governments.Contact us today to • 0 21 campaigns • learn more about organizing a campaign for your • r 955 solar homes and businesses • jurisdiction. • 0 4,359 educated • www.sparknorthwest.org I www.solarizewa.org • 0 29 green jobs created • (206) 328-2441,connect@sparknorthwest.org • 0 $21 million invested in local economy •