SolarizeCT Year 2 Community Recruitment
- 2. Bob Wall ToniBouchard
- 3. • Solarize basicsand results • Roles of program partners • Expectations of municipal officials and volunteers • Municipal application process • Successful attributes • Installer selection process • Questions and answers Today’s Webinar
- 4. • Created byPA 11-80 as successor to the Connecticut 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 About CEFIA
- 5. • Nation‟s leadingnon-profit marketing firm dedicated to promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy • Previous CT Campaigns include Clean Energy Communities & Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge • Extensive solar marketing experience About SmartPower
- 6. What is SolarizeConnecticut?
- 7. Solar. • Proven technology •Lowers energy costs • Protects against utility rate increases • Avoids harmful emissions • Incentives from CEFIA • Federal tax credits • Multiple financing options
- 8. Simple. • Pre-selected installer •Solar workshops • Pre-determined pricing structure • Free, no obligation site evaluations • Help from installer, volunteers and town leaders • Clear deadline
- 9. • Community initiative •Motivated clean energy task forces and local leaders • Strong local support for solar energy and backing of municipal leaders • Group pricing discounts that increase with the number of contracts! Together.
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- 12. Phase 1 (Sept.„12 – Jan. „13): • > 280 systems contracted in Durham, Fairfield, Portland & Westport • > 2 MW of solar PV • Average cost $3.70/watt (compared to market average of $4.60-$5.00/watt) Phase 2 (Mar. „13 – July „13) • In progress in Bridgeport, Canton, Coventry and Mansfield/Windham Results To Date
- 13. CEFIA Solar incentives &Financing Comprehensive program support SMARTPOWER Marketing / education toolkit Grassroots support INSTALLER Turnkey installation Ownership options Competitive tiered pricing CUSTOMER Get free site assessment Decide on ownership model Tell friends & neighbors LOCAL COMMUNITY Solar Ambassadors Engagement of grassroots groups Event hosting Communication strategies
- 14. • Town RFP– issued by CEFIA mid-June 2013 • Selection of Towns – mid-July • Installer RFP – mid-July • Selection of Installer – mid Aug. • Town & Installer Launch Planning – mid-Aug. • Solarize Kickoff Workshop –mid-Sept. • Local Campaigns – Library workshops, solar open houses, tabling, etc. – Fall • Campaign Conclusion – mid-Jan. 2014 Timeline
- 15. • Letter ofsupport from chief elected official • Identify project manager (town or city employee, task force member or some other volunteer) and other team members • Provide information or ideas that make your community ideal for the “Solarize CT” program* *CEFIA and SmartPower will work with municipality to develop comprehensive outreach plans upon being selected Town Application Process
- 16. • Proven successin 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 Successful Attributes
- 17. • Must belocated in CL&P or UI service territory • Coalition of towns allowed • Mansfield/Windham first example of partnership • Towns should be neighboring with good working relationship • Special town requests allowed • American-made panel option • Solar hot water option Miscellaneous
- 18. • CEFIA issuesRFP 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 • Interviews of installers • Town committee selects a single installer • CEFIA contracts with installer Installer Selection Process
- 19. • Pricing importantbut not the most significant factor • Experience in Connecticut • Customer satisfaction • Capacity to handle heavy workload • Financing options • Equipment options Installer Selection Criteria
- 20. www.SolarizeCT.com This Presentation WillBe Available At:
- 21. Questions? Bob Wall, CEFIA bob.wall@ctcleanenergy.com 860-257-2354 ToniBouchard, SmartPower tbouchard@smartpower.org 860-241-2620