This webinar presentation provided information about the Solarize Connecticut program to interested municipalities. It explained that the program is a community-based bulk purchasing model that allows towns to reduce solar prices for residents through group discounts. It outlined the roles of partner organizations CEFIA and SmartPower, and described the municipal application process, installer selection process, expected timeline, and past program results. The goal of the program is to make solar energy more accessible and affordable for communities in Connecticut.

1. Let’s Solarize!
Town Webinar: January 14, 2014

2. Bob Wall
Kate Donnelly

3. Today’s Webinar
 Solarize basics
 Roles of program partners
 Municipal application process
 Installer selection process
 Questions and answers

4. About CEFIA
 Quasi-public authority created by PA 11-80 (successor to
CT Clean Energy Fund)
 Tasked with leveraging public and private funds to drive
investment and scale up clean energy deployment in CT
 Provides incentives for residential solar through the
Residential Solar Investment Program
 Develops innovative financing products such as loans and
leases that can be used for solar PV systems

5. About SmartPower

Nation’s leading non-profit marketing firm dedicated to
promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy

Other CT community-based campaigns include Clean Energy
Communities, Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge and
Energize Norwich

Extensive solar marketing experience

6. What is Solarize Connecticut?

7. Solar.
 Proven technology
 Lowers energy costs
 Protects against utility rate
increases
 Avoids harmful emissions
 State & federal incentives
 Flexible financing options

8. Simple.
 Pre-selected installer
 Transparent, discounted
pricing structure
 Pre-determined equipment
(with optional upgrades)
 Free, no obligation site
evaluations
 Clear deadline

9. Together.
 Community initiative
 Motivated clean energy
task forces & solar
ambassadors
 Backing of municipal
leaders & community
organizations
 Group pricing discounts
that increase with the
number of contracts

10. Solarize Connecticut –The Basics
 20 Week Campaign
 Single Pre-Selected Installer
 Tiered Pricing – price drops for everybody as more kW of
solar are sold in the community!

Tier 1: 0 – 25 kW

Tier 2: 25 – 50 kW

Tier 3: 50 – 150 kW

Tier 4: 150 – 250 kW

Tier 5: 250+ kW (represents 36 “average-size” (~7 kW) systems)
 Follows “Classic” Solarize Connecticut model, NOT Solarize
Choice or Solarize Express Model

12. CEFIA
Solar incentives & Financing
Comprehensive program
support
Contracts with SmartPower
LOCAL COMMUNITY
Solar Ambassadors
SMARTPOWER
Engagement of grassroots
groups
Marketing / education
toolkit
Event hosting
Grassroots support
Communication strategies
CUSTOMER
INSTALLER
Get free site assessment
Decide on ownership
model
Tell friends & neighbors
Turnkey installation
Ownership options
Competitive tiered pricing

13. SolarizeCT.com
 Customer Contact Form
 Event Calendar
 Town Pages & Tool Kits
 Program Information
 Newsroom
 Testimonials & Videos
 Social Media

14. Results To Date
Phase 1 (Sept. ‘12 – Jan. ‘13)
 ~ 280 systems in
Durham, Fairfield, Portland &
Westport
 > 2 MW of solar PV
 Average cost $3.70/watt
 Phase 2 (Mar. ‘13 – July ‘13)
 ~ 160 systems in
Bridgeport, Canton, Coventry and
Mansfield/Windham
 > 1 MW of solar PV
 Avg. cost $3.99/watt

15. Benefits of Solarize
 Lowers purchase cost of solar
 Saves money on residents’ electric bills
 Improves environment and public health
 Earns points for Clean Energy Communities
program
 Supports energy independence
 Enhances home values
 Creates local jobs
“Durham is very pleased to have been part of
the successful pilot program offered by
Solarize Connecticut. The model allowed us to
reach the lowest price level available, saving
residents money and helping the
environment. The Solarize Connecticut
program was a gratifying community-building
experience.”
- Laura Francis, First Selectman

16. Timeline
Town RFP
• Issued Jan. 3
• Due Feb. 3
• Coalitions
allowed
• Selections
announced
early Feb.
Installer
RFP
Campaign
Planning
Campaign
• To be issued
late Jan.
• Due late Feb.
• Town shortlist
installers
• Interviews
• Town ranks
&, with input
from
CEFIA, selects
installer
• Feb.-Mar.
• Initial town
meeting
• Outreach
brainstorm
meeting
• Identify media
contact
• Schedule
launch event
• Late Mar.-early
Apr.
• Press release
• Launch event
• E-mail blasts,
mailings
• Workshops
• Open houses
• Bi-weekly calls

17. Town Application Process

Letter of support from chief elected official (1 page)

Identify project manager (town or city employee, task force member
or some other volunteer) and other team members

Completed & signed Attachments A & B

Optional – Description of potential team & preliminary marketing
plan (SmartPower & CEFIA will help to develop) (1 page)

Special requests for installer (1 page)

Letters of support (1 page, no more than 3 letters)

18. Successful Attributes
 Proven success in Clean Energy Communities program
 History of solar adoption (potential solar ambassadors)
 Strong support from chief elected official
 Active clean energy task force
 Potential partner organizations
 Promotional opportunities at highly trafficked events

19. Miscellaneous
 Must be located in CL&P or UI service territory
 Coalition of towns allowed
• Mansfield-Windham; Easton-Redding-Trumbull; Ashford-ChaplinHampton-Pomfret; Roxbury-Washington; Columbia-Lebanon are
examples of Solarize coalitions
• Towns should be neighboring with good working relationship
 Special town requests allowed
• American-made panel option
• Solar hot water option

20. Installer Selection Process
 CEFIA issues RFP to all eligible solar installers
 Qualifying proposals shared with municipalities’ review committee (3
appointed persons)
 Review committee meets with CEFIA, SmartPower and a technical
consultant to create “shortlist” of installers (3-4)
 Interviews of installers (each session open to all towns)
 Town committee ranks preferred installers
 CEFIA assists with selection and contracts with chosen installer

21. Installer Selection Criteria
 Pricing (important but not the most significant factor)
 Experience in Connecticut
 Customer satisfaction
 Capacity to handle heavy workload
 Equipment options
 Financing options

22. This presentation will be available at:
www.SolarizeCT.com

23. Questions?
Bob Wall, CEFIA
bob.wall@ctcleanenergy.com
860-257-2354
Kate Donnelly, SmartPower
kdonnelly@smartpower.org
860-604-4846