Let’s Solarize!

Town Webinar: January 14, 2014

Bob Wall Kate Donnelly

Solarize basics

Roles of program partners

Municipal application process

Installer selection process Questions and answers

Today’s Webinar

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

About CEFIA

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

About SmartPower

What is Solarize Connecticut?

Solar. Simple. Together.

Solar. Proven technology

Lowers energy costs

Protects against utility rate increases

Avoids harmful emissions

State & federal incentives

Flexible financing options

Simple. Pre-selected installer

Transparent, discounted pricing structure

Pre-determined equipment (with optional upgrades)

Free, no obligation site evaluations

Clear deadline

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

Together.

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

Solarize Connecticut –The Basics

CEFIASolar incentives & Financing

Comprehensive programsupport

Contracts with SmartPower

SMARTPOWERMarketing / education

toolkit

Grassroots support

INSTALLER

Turnkey installationOwnership options

Competitive tiered pricing

CUSTOMERGet free site assessment

Decide on ownership model

Tell friends & neighbors

LOCAL COMMUNITYSolar Ambassadors

Engagement of grassroots groups

Event hosting

Communication strategies

Customer Contact Form Event Calendar Town Pages & Tool Kits Program Information Newsroom Testimonials & Videos Social Media

SolarizeCT.com

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

Results To Date

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

Benefits of Solarize

“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

Timeline

Town RFP

• Issued Jan. 3• Due Feb. 3• Coalitions

allowed• Selections

announced early Feb.

Installer RFP

• To be issued late Jan.

• Due late Feb.• Town shortlist

installers• Interviews• Town ranks &,

with input from CEFIA, selects installer

Campaign Planning

• Feb.-Mar.• Initial town

meeting• Outreach

brainstorm meeting

• Identify media contact

• Schedule launch event

Campaign

• Late Mar.-early Apr.

• Press release• Launch event• E-mail blasts,

mailings• Workshops• Open houses• Bi-weekly calls

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)

Town Application Process

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

Successful Attributes

Must be located in CL&P or UI service territory

Coalition of towns allowed• Mansfield-Windham; Easton-Redding-Trumbull; Ashford-Chaplin-

Hampton-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

Miscellaneous

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

Installer Selection Process

Pricing (important but not the most significant factor)

Experience in Connecticut

Customer satisfaction

Capacity to handle heavy workload

Equipment options

Financing options

Installer Selection Criteria

www.SolarizeCT.comThis presentation will be available at:

Questions?

Bob Wall, CEFIAbob.wall@ctcleanenergy.com

860-257-2354

Kate Donnelly, SmartPowerkdonnelly@smartpower.org

860-604-4846