The cities of Somerville and Cambridge MA are helping residents to understand the possibilities of solar electrical installations in multi-unit situations. The Solarize Somerville and Sunny Cambridge programs are providing education and guidance for our neighbors on these matters. This presentation was made publicly on 8/16/16 by representatives of both communities.

1. Multi-
Family
Solar
Event

2. Agenda
2
Introduction
• City goals
• Solar programs
• Case studies
City of
Cambridge &
Somerville
15 minutes
Solar for Multi-
Family Homes
• Multi-Family Pathways
• Resources
• Support
Zapotec Energy 20 minutes
Solar Loans
• Type of loan
• Term/structure/rate
• Application process
Naveo Credit
Union
5 minutes
Q&A 15 minutes

3. Sunny Cambridge – The Year of Solar!

4. NET ZERO EMISSIONS
REDUCTION MODEL
-
200,000
400,000
600,000
800,000
1,000,000
1,200,000
Energy Efficiency Reductions
70% REDUCTION
BY 2040
Renewabl
e Energy
Additions

5. Georgetown University
Energy Prize
• $5 million prize
• 2 years to compete – 2016 is the FINAL year!
• 50 cities and towns
• Municipal and residential electricity and natural gas
usage

6. Cambridge Solar Map
The MIT-developed MapDwell tool shows that if photovoltaic
panels were installed on all good solar locations, Cambridge
could generate about a third of its electricity needs via Solar PV!

7. Cambridge Solar Growth

8. Solar Economics 101
5kW System, Good Solar Access, No Special Requirements
8
Gross Cost
($20,000) Federal Tax
Credit 30%
MA Credit $1k
$7,000
Net Cost
($13,000)
20 Year
Utility Bill
Savings
$34,000
10 Years of
SRECs
$15,000
 5 year payback
 Net savings of $30,000+
 20% return on investment
 3% increased property value 20 Year
Total
Return
$36,000

9. SunnyCambridge.org
9

10. • Specify property location
• Energy use
• System and
financing preferences
1. Homeowners create
property profiles
• Use aerial images
• Phone, email contact
• Submit quotes online
via marketplace
2. Solar installers design
systems, submit quotes
• Apples-to-apples
comparison of system
& financing options
• Live decision support
from solar advisors
3. Homeowners compare
quotes & select one
Three easy steps: Simple, online comparison-
shopping solution
10

11. Sunny Cambridge Multi-Family Solar
11
Cushing Street

12. Sunny Cambridge Multi-Family Solar
12
• A two-member Homeowner
Association
• Mutual agreement for
installation
• No common meter, two unit net
meters
• Installed two separate PV systems
• Plan to amend condominium
documents

13. Sunny Cambridge Multi-Family Solar
13

14. Sunny Cambridge Multi-Family Solar
14
"The folks at EnergySage
and Sunny Cambridge
were responsive and
helpful, and it was also a
pleasure working with
our installer,
Invaleon. They provided
sound advice and
personalized service;
they got our system
installed, approved, and
up and running within 6
weeks.”
*Larsen-Garceau Family

15. Solar 102: Solar for Multi-Family, Condo-owners,
and Landlords
August 16, 2016
Solarize Somerville:
Multi-Family Buildings

16. Sustainability in Somerville
Carbon neutral by 2050
• www.somervillema.gov/sustainaville.
City’s overarching climate change
initiative
SolarizeMass Somerville
• Aug-Nov 2016, volunteer/City/State
campaign offering reduced-cost solar
SolarFlair
• SolarizeMass Somerville selected
installer
Solar 102: Solar for Multi-Family, Condo-owners, and Landlords 16

17. 17Solar 102: Solar for Multi-Family, Condo-owners, and Landlords

18. Emissions & Energy in Somerville
• No-cost Home Energy
Assessments
• Make sure your home is
running safely and
efficient.
• Receive incentives like
no-cost air sealing and
up to $2,000 off
insulation.
• Sign up:
MassSave.com
18Solar 102: Solar for Multi-Family, Condo-owners, and Landlords

19. Solar interest in Somerville
2014 survey: almost ¾ of interest came from multi-family
residents
19
96 (34%)
109 (38%)
4 (1%)
75 (26%)
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Condo Multi-Family (1-4
units)
Multi-Family (4+
units)
Single Family
If you own, what type of home do you
own?
Solar 102: Solar for Multi-Family, Condo-owners, and Landlords

20. SOLARIZE
SOMERVILLE
Mary Mangan
Volunteer Solar Coach

21. Solarize Goals
• Increase adoption of solar power in our community
• Gather the neighbors into a group, so pricing is reduced
Savings
typically
20%-25%
Compared to
MA state
averages

22. Solarize Selection
• Office of Sustainability
and Environment
• Housing programs

23. City Process
• City goal: 100 homes
• SolarFlair goal: 200!

24. Residents Wanted Options
• Outright ownership
• MassSolarLoan
• Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)
• Donation to a community purpose

25. Your Mission
• Research
• Tell your neighbors
• Stay tuned for more events

26. Special Event for Multi-family Issues
• Net metering: one meter? More?
• Schedule-Z for virtual net metering to other accounts

27. Our house: 1 net meter + “virtual” net
meter
My account = has the net meter
My bill = $0 (I used 204 kWh)
(there is a $6.43 delivery charge)
1% of production credited to me
(this case $8.56 credit)
Housemate = “virtual” net meter
via the Schedule-Z form
His bill = credit of $211.24
99% of production credited to him
Production: 1349 – 1145 = 204 kW

28. Sustainaville Website for Info +
Contacts
www.somervillema.gov/solarize

29. Installing Solar Energy for
Condominiums & Multi-Family Homes
Zapotec Energy, Inc.

30. 30
Racking Solar Panels Inverter
Solar Panel Inverter “Net” MeterElectrical
Panel
Grid
Solar PV System Key Components

31. 31
• Kilowatt-hour (kWh) is the billing unit -
100 watt light bulbs on for 10 hours = 1
kWh
• Cambridge and Somerville residents pay
about 22 cents per kWh
• A $100 average monthly bill is about
500kWh per month or 6,000 kWh per year
With inflation*, a $100 monthly bill is about $34,000 over 20 years!
*Assumes 3.5% annual inflation
Utility Bill 101

32. Example 1:
Example 2:
What to Look for in Your Condo Doc
Zapotec Energy, Inc.

33. The Master Deed may give specific roof rights to one unit owner:
What to Look for in Your Condo Doc
Zapotec Energy, Inc.

34. Energy Center
Zapotec Energy, Inc.

35. 0
500
1000
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
kWh
Solar Production = Usage
0
200
400
600
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
kWh
Solar Production < Usage
0
500
1000
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
kWh
Solar Production > Usage
Zapotec Energy, Inc.

36. • Net Metering: When your PV system produces
excess kWh, the utility compensates you with
monetized credit that roll over onto your next bill.
These credits can be transferred to other accounts
in the same utility load zone.
• Complete Schedule Z form to transfer net metering
credits with
• Tenants or condo owners
• Family or friends in the same Eversource territory
Net Metering with Schedule Z
Zapotec Energy, Inc.

37. NEMA Load Zone
Zapotec Energy, Inc.

38. Click here for a complete Schedule Z
Net Metering with Schedule Z
Zapotec Energy, Inc.

39. Net Metering with Schedule Z
Click here for a complete Schedule ZZapotec Energy, Inc.

40. Does the
landlord live in
one of the units?
Is there a
common meter
in the building?
Case #1
Case #3
Case #2
NO
YES
NO
YES
Multi-Family Flow Chart
Zapotec Energy, Inc.

41. Are all trustees
interested in owning
the PV system?
NO
YES
YES
Is more than one
trustee interested in
owning the PV system?
Do you want to
install a shared
system?*
YES
NO
Case #6 Case #7
Case #4
Case #5
* See Case #6 to learn more about
the benefits of a shared system
Condominium Flow Chart
Zapotec Energy, Inc.

42. Example of Case #7
• A two-member HOA
• Mutual agreement for installation
• No common meter, two unit net
meters
• Installed two separate PV systems
• Plan to amend condominium
documents
Solar PV Installations – Cushing Street
Zapotec Energy, Inc.

43. Solar PV Installations – Cushing Street
Zapotec Energy, Inc.

44. Questions?
Contact our Multi-Family Solar Advisors:
Abby Barnicle, Office Operations Manager
Zapotec Energy, Inc.
Email: barnicle@zapotecenergy.com
Tel: (617) 547-5900 ext. 200
Aaron King, E.I.T., Solar Design Engineer
Zapotec Energy, Inc.
Email: king@zapotecenergy.com
Tel: (617) 547-5900 ext. 204
Zapotec Energy, Inc.

45. CASE #1: LANDLORD’S UNIT CONNECTION
• Interconnect the solar PV system to the Landlord’s unit
meter
• If there is excess generation, complete a Schedule Z form
with other unit dwellers, or family/friends in the same
Eversource territory to be able to transfer net metering
credits
• System owner files with the IRS for the Federal Investment
Tax Credit (ITC)
• System owner collects SRECs, receive state tax credit
• Financing Options: PPA, Mass Solar Loan, Lease, Cash
Purchase
Return to flow chartZapotec Energy, Inc.

46. CASE #2: COMMON METER CONNECTION
• Interconnect the solar PV system to the common meter
• If there is excess generation, complete a Schedule Z form with
other unit dwellers, or family/friends in the same Eversource
territory to be able to transfer net metering credits
• Adjust agreements with tenants to allow for raise in rent (or a
separate compensation agreement), quantifying the savings from
solar
• System owner files with the IRS for the Federal Investment
Tax Credit (ITC)
• System owner collects SRECs, receive state tax credit
• Financing Options: PPA, Mass Solar Loan, Lease, Cash
Purchase
Return to flow chartZapotec Energy, Inc.

47. • Contact Eversource to install a new net meter for the PV
system
• Interconnect the solar PV system to the new meter
• If there is excess generation, complete a Schedule Z form
with other unit dwellers, or family/friends in the same
Eversource territory to be able to transfer net metering
credits
• Adjust agreements with tenants to allow for raise in rent (or a
separate compensation agreement), quantifying the savings from
solar
• System owner files with the IRS for the Federal Investment
Tax Credit (ITC)
• System owner collects SRECs, receive state tax credit
Financing Options: PPA, Mass Solar Loan , Lease, Cash
Purchase
Return to flow chart
CASE #3: NEW METER INSTALLATION
Zapotec Energy, Inc.

48. • Install a single PV system to benefit the condo association
• Clarify roof rights in condo documents
• Interconnect the PV system to the condo’s common meter
or install a new net meter if there is not already a common
meter
• Net meter any excess production using Schedule Z
• SREC revenue will be collected by the condo association
• Consult tax professionals for dividing Federal Investment Tax
Credit (30%) and State Tax Credit ($1,000)
• Financing Options: Cash Purchase, Lease/PPA, Mass Solar
Loan
Return to flow chart
CASE #4: ASSOCIATION OWNED
Zapotec Energy, Inc.

49. CASE #5: SINGLE UNIT, SINGLE SYSTEM OWNER
• Install a single PV system to benefit one unit owner in a
condo
• Clarify roof rights in condo documents
• Interconnect at the PV system owner’s unit meter
• Transfer excess net metering credit to anyone in utility load
zone
• System owner collects SRECs, receives federal and state tax
credit
• Financing Options: Cash Purchase, PPA/Lease, Mass Solar
Loan
Return to flow chartZapotec Energy, Inc.

50. CASE #6: SHARED SYSTEM OWNERSHIP
• Install a single PV system to benefit participating unit
owners within the condo
• Clarify roof rights in condo documents
• Apply and install a new net meter through Eversource
• Interconnect the solar PV system to the new meter
• Distribute excess net metering credits amongst
participating unit owners
• Consult tax professionals for division of the ITC, SRECs, and
State Rebate
• Financing Options: Cash Purchase, Lease/PPA, Mass Solar
Loan
Return to flow chartZapotec Energy, Inc.

51. • Install multiple PV systems to be separately owned by
participating unit owners
• Clarify roof rights in condo documents
• Install one solar PV system for each participating unit
owner, each interconnected to the respective unit meter
• Choose an account to receive retail net metering credit
rate
• Participating system owners separately collect SRECs and
file for Federal and State tax credits
• Financing Options: Cash Purchase, Mass Solar Loan,
Lease/PPA
Return to flow chart
CASE #7: SEPARATE SYSTEM OWNERSHIP
Zapotec Energy, Inc.

52. • Projects in any Massachusetts utility territory (IOU
or MLP) are eligible. Projects can be new
installations for additions to existing systems.
• Homeowner eligibility includes owners of the
following types of residential property:
• Single-family homes
• Individual condominiums and townhomes, with the
homeowner association’s written approval
• Owner-occupants of residences with up to three units.
Are You Eligible for the Mass Solar Loan?

53. • Minimum requirements to qualify for a Community Shared Solar
(CSS) project include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Participants must demonstrate a direct ownership stake in a solar project
as net metering off-taker of 25 kW or less
• Participants must demonstrate a direct ownership stake in solar project
through an LLC, cooperative, condo association, or other collaboration
subject to MassCEC approval
• Project must meet Mass Solar Loan program technical eligibility criteria
• For projects larger than 100 kW DC, the definition of Community Shared
Solar Generation Unit as contained in the RPS Class I regulation shall
determine eligibility as a CSS project under the Program.
• For projects sized 100 kW DC or less, all participants must receive net
metering credits or electricity from the project in shares of 25 kW DC or
less
• Participating lender must be qualified under the Mass Solar Loan
Program
• The project CSS participant need not be a homeowner, but must meet
requirements in Program Manual and Lender underwriting criteria
Mass Solar Loan and CSS Projects

54. Mass Solar Loan
Presented by:
Albert Pinho, Vice President of Lending

55. What is the Mass Solar Loan?
 Initiative in partnership with the Massachusetts
Department of Energy Resource and the Massachusetts
Clean Energy Center (MassCEC).
 Low interest loan to finance the purchase and
installation of eligible solar panel projects.
 Terms up to 20 years
 Borrow $5,000 to $60,000
 Rates as low as 1.00% APR*. Rate dependent on credit
worthiness, term and loan amount.
 Up to 12 months of interest-only payments during
installation, followed by regular monthly payments
after system is fully operational.
 Borrowers with low or medium household income may
qualify for direct up-front payments of up to 30% of the
cost of the solar panel system.
*APR=Annual Percentage Rate

56. Type of Loan
 The Solar Loan may be unsecured, secured by a UCC1
lien on the solar panel system, or secured by a junior
mortgage on the home.
 The type of collateral and interest rate will be
determined by the loan amount, the term of the loan
(how many years to repay) and by the credit score of
the borrowers.
 Generally, loans will be unsecured, or secured by a
UCC1 lien, if:
 Borrowers have excellent credit (scores of 720 or better)
 Loan is short term (10 years or less) and
 Loan is for moderate amount (less than $35,000).

57. Eligibility
 Solar panel systems to be purchased by the
homeowner/resident are eligible.
 Financing available on primary residences or vacation
homes in Massachusetts only.
 Solar panel systems must be connected to the
electricity distribution grid.
 Solar panel systems may not have previously received
incentives from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.
 Borrowers must be eligible for and establish
membership at Naveo.

58. Steps to Apply
 Receive a price quote from a pre-qualified Mass Solar
Loan installer.
 Select an installer and sign a solar installation contract.
 Work with your installer to complete the Mass Solar
Loan technical application.
 Provide your tax information online (if you are applying
for income-based subsidy).
 Apply with Naveo Credit Union and provide us with the
technical confirmation ID# once received.

59. Loan Disbursement
 When your loan closes, Naveo advances 35% of the loan to
cover initial construction costs.
 Until the system is fully operational, you make interest-
only payments monthly.
 After your solar system is connected by your utility, your
installer files your project completion documents with
MassCEC.
 When the project receives a completion approval from
MassCEC, we will call you to come in and complete
additional loan documents.
 Naveo disburses the final 65% of your loan to you and your
installer.
 Your regular monthly payments of principal and interest
will start approx. 30 days after loan closing.

60. Applying at Naveo
 Apply for a Solar Loan online at naveo.org/solar
 You can apply for pre-approval before you receive your
Technical Confirmation ID#.
 Apply via phone by calling: 617-702-5101 with Elizabeth
Cabral

61. Questions?
Elizabeth Cabral 617-702-5101 ECabral@Naveo.org
Albert Pinho 617-702-5113 APinho@Naveo.org
www.naveo.org/solar

62. Get Started Today!
www.SunnyCambridge.org
www.somervillema.gov/solarize
Zapotec Energy