A renewable energy initiative of the Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP)

What is LEAP?

Visit us at ecoREMOD, The Energy House, in downtown Charlottesville.

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Founded in 2009, the mission of the Local Energy Alliance Program is to lead the effort to equip Virginia buildings with energy efficient and renewable technologies. Our overarching goals include cost savings, local economic development, and energy sector decarbonization.

Limited time outreach/education campaign to reduce the cost and complexity of going solar. Both residents and businesses may participate.

What is a Solarize campaign?

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• Partner sponsorships• Contractor referral fees• In kind support from

municipal and other partners

• Grants and donations

How is the campaign paid for?

Self-funding – Solarize is funded through multiple sources:

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• Avoid exporting energy dollars out of the locality

• Support local workforce

• Demonstrate leadership in to residents and businesses

• Increase local resiliency

• Support the transition to clean energy

Why support a Solarize campaign?

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• It’s a good deal:

• Vetted contractors

• Discounted, fixed pricing

• Standardized equipment package

• Energy independence and risk reduction:

• Hedge risk against rising energy prices

• Solar power is a clean, renewable energy resource

Why sign up for a Solarize program?

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Solar System Diagram

Sample System Economics*

Sample System Economics:Equipment: SizePrice/WInstalled costCost after Federal tax credit

Size/location 6kW, roof: $2.60/W 4kW, roof: $2.90/W 12kW, ground: $3.00/W

Equipment Panel 1, optimizer Panel 2, optimizer Panel 1, string

Installed cost $15,600 $11,600 $36,000

after tax credit $10,920 $8120 $25,200

Loan rate 6% 6% n/a (paid cash)

Loan term 15 15 n/a

Loan payment $92.15 $68.52 n/a

Monthly PV “income”, yr. 1

$75.24 $50.16 $150.48

Monthly net, yr. 1 -$16.91 -$18.36 n/a

“payback” 11.1 yrs (9% aveannual ROI)

12.2 yrs (8.2% aveannual ROI)

12.6 yrs (7.9% aveannual ROI)

* borrowed amount is cost after tax credit* current electricity price/kW: $0.11 with 2% annual inflation* SREC value: $11 solarizeva.org

Everyone

• Sign up at www.solarizeva.org

• Submit a recent electric bill

• LEAP staff perform satellite assessment

• Schedule an energy efficiency consultation (optional)

• Attend a Solarize program info session

Then, if your property is a good candidate

1. Consultation by installer who will assess your site and develop proposal

2. Proposal approval

3. Permits, installation, utility connection

4. Enjoy watching your meter spin backwards!

The Process

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Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency typically is the most cost-effective, most available clean energy resource. A good PV installer will always encourage you to pursue efficiency first – so that you are “renewable ready”. LEAP promotes and facilitates EE improvements with

• Affordable energy audits for your home or business• Referrals to qualified contractors

Reduce&

Produce!

A LEAP energy coach visits your home/business for an “energy audit”.

Residential:• 1.5-hr walk-through audit with equipment installs, and brief report –

free for most Dominion Virginia Power and APCo customers• 2-hr walk-through audit with brief report for

$175 for other electric utility customers• Comprehensive audits with diagnostic tests

also available

Commercial:• 2-hr walk-through audit with IR and brief

report for $350• Comprehensive audits with diagnostic

testing also available

Energy Efficiency Consultations

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LEAP “Solarize” Campaigns as of August, 2016• First: Charlottesville/Albemarle – Summer, 2014• 1100 “signups” on website• ~1200 Dominion Home Energy Checkups• Average 760 kwh saved (annual)

• ~60 Charlottesville Gas Rebates• Average 300 kwh saved (10 therms)

• ~30 clients proceeded with more comprehensive retrofits• 111 PV installations

• 11 more campaigns completed since then• Average campaign: 25 PV installs

• 2 under way currently• 1 more planned for this year

Efficiency Gains from Solarize Campaigns

PV by the numbers: through May, 2016• Total “Signups”: ~3600 • Total # PV installations: 219• Ave. PV installations rated power: 6.4kW• Total rated output: 1408kW• Grand total: 1.75 GWh produced annually

EE by the numbers: through May, 2016• Total DVP HECUs: ~1800• Subtotal annual kWh saved: 1,366,200kWh saved• Ave annual kWh Saved: 759kwh• Total Charlottesville Gas Rebates: ~150• Ave kWh saved: 300• Subtotal annual kWh saved: 45,000• Grand total: 1.41 GWH saved annually

Efficiency Gains from Solarize Campaigns

Efficiency Gains from Solarize Campaigns

We’d love to partner with your local government on a campaign. The only requirement is to help LEAP promote – via websites, social media, bill stuffers, etc. More engagement drives greater participation. A solarize campaign is a great way to promote clean energy locally.

Who’s Next?

Contact Info

Contact:

Andrew Grigsby, Executive Director

Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP)

608 Ridge St., Charlottesville, VA 22902

mobile/text: (804) 252-1486

andrew@leap-va.org

www.leap-va.org