ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The idea behind Solarize is to tackle these 3 major market barriers to adopting solar for communities:
The cost of solar electricity looks like this. You have your hardware costs, accounting for 48% of average system cost, which include your inverter, modules, module racking, and what we call balance of systems (conduit, wiring, meter, etc). And your non-hardware costs, accounting for 52% of the system.
With the price of solar equipment dropping significantly each year, Solarize looks to reduce the non-hardware costs of solar in order to make it more affordable to residents, specifically looking to the customer acquisition portion of the cost of solar. Customer-acquisition activities can add considerable time and cost to PV installations, perhaps especially in areas with less-mature markets where perceived technology risk and unfamiliarity with PV might increase bid-failure rates.
So where Solarize is able to provide the partner installer with jobs in the pipeline through providing hot leads, installers are able to provide residents who sign up for a PV system through Solarize with pricing that reflects the lower customer acquisition costs. This is the basis of our tiered pricing structure.Solarize partner installers will offer rebates to all those who sign contracts by the program closing date as various tier levels of solar is sold through the program.
The rebates are as follows:
50kW of solar sold through the program – $0.05/W rebate for those who participate
100kW of solar sold through the program – $0.15/W rebate for those who participate
Simply put, the more solar sold through Solarize, the less the cost is for everyone who participates!
For many residents, the most complicated aspect of going solar is knowing where to begin.
Solarize is all about providing an easy starting point. Solarize North Fork Valley provides residents with education on every aspect of solar including energy efficiency, solar electric technology, solar site assessments, incentives and rebates, financing solar and energy efficiency, and much more!
Equipped with this information, residents are able to make an informed decision about whether solar is right for them. Those who want to move forward with solar have the option of working with our Solarize partner installer, who can offer them Solarize pricing.
A critical component of any Solarize program is its deadline. Residents must sign a contract with the Solarize installer by July 31st, 2015 in order to take advantage of the special tiered pricing offer.
This tiered pricing structure serves as a motivator for residents to talk with their neighbors about Solarize and encourage one another to take action. More neighbors going solar means lower prices for everyone.
HOW IT WORKS
WHY IT MATTERS
Solarize North Fork Valley was inspired by the Solarize program model originated in Portland, Oregon. In Portland, Solarize began as a grassroots effort to greatly increase the installation of residential rooftop solar electric (photovoltaic) systems.
What the originators didn’t anticipate was the entire “market-kickstart” provided by their efforts. In each of the communities that have adopted the Solarize model, non-Solarize contracted installations have increased as a result of the heightened awareness and education provided by the campaign.
As a result of this fact, communities around the nation have used the Solarize model to not only increase the installation of PV systems in their communities, but also to create jobs in the industry. Nationwide, one out of every 78 jobs created in 2014 was in the solar industry.
At SEI, the success of the industry on both a national and international level has been ever-apparent. Each year, SEI trains over 3,500 students from around the world providing industry-leading technical training and expertise in renewable energy through online courses, in person courses, and hands on PV labs.
While SEI has always been focused on training for the national and international solar market, the time is ripe for SEI to bring our impact home to a our local communities. To do this, SEI secured 2 Americorps VISTA positions to work on Economic Development Through Solar for Delta County this year. And thus was born Solarize North Fork Valley. The goal of Solarize NFV is to bring some of the same success the solar industry has seen on a national and international level to our communities, with the long term goal of creating more jobs locally.
SOLARIZE BLOG
Thanks to SEI AmeriCorps VISTAs, Delta County becomes second smallest County in the U.S. to receive prestigious solar-friendly designation
Solar Energy International (SEI)’s AmeriCorps VISTAs helped pave the way for Delta County, Colorado to receive a Gold designation from the national SolSmart program for making it faster, easier, and more affordable for homes and businesses to go solar. The initial Bronze designation in 2017, also a VISTA-led effort, recognized Delta County for taking measurable steps to encourage solar energy growth and remove obstacles to solar development. The prestigious Gold designation recognizes further efforts and milestones, including completion of a solar project within the County using the State’s commercial property-assessed ...
Solar Energy International (SEI) selects Gunnison County’s Coldharbour Institute as first partnered community in ‘Solar Forward’ program
GUNNISON, CO- Solar Energy International (SEI), an industry leader in solar energy technical training, kicks off their newest program, Solar Forward, in Colorado’s Western Slope through a partnership with the Coldharbour Institute in Gunnison County. The Solar Forward program gives nonprofits or community groups located in rural Colorado communities the opportunity to partner with SEI to implement initiatives aimed at kickstarting solar markets in a region. Nonprofits can apply to be accepted into the program, and upon entry they receive a toolkit for desired solar growth initiatives chosen from a ...
SEI launches Solar Forward: A new solar advising program for rural Colorado communities
This year, Solar Energy International (SEI) has launched a new statewide initiative for rural communities in Colorado. Read more about the program that powers rural Colorado communities into the future by starting or supporting solar markets: SEI is seeking communities interested in growing their local solar, renewable energy, and energy efficiency markets to participate in a new program, Solar Forward. The Solar Forward program is a grassroots approach, relying mainly on community participation, to stimulate solar growth in a region. SEI’s Solar Forward community adviser will partner with a community ...
RESOURCES
Electricity Usage Monitoring
Free use of electrical monitoring devicesKill-a-Watt electricity usage monitors
Kill-a-Watt Monitorsare available to residents through the Montrose, Delta, Cedaredge, Hotchkiss, Paonia, and Crawford public libraries. The devices can be checked out like other library materials, and allow members to plug in their 110-volt home appliances and other electric devices to determine their electrical draw and the resulting cost.
Free Weatherization Program
Aid for home improvementsFree Weatherization Program
Housing Resources Free Weatherization Program –In partnership with the Colorado Energy Office, Housing Resources works to improve the energy efficiency of residential structures throughout Colorado. The Weatherization Program makes cost-effective, energy-efficient home improvements available to qualifying low-income residents.
Free SEI Online Course
Intro to Renewable EnergyRE100
Introduction to Renewable Energy is an online course teaching the basics of renewable energy – where it is found, how we can harvest it for use in our homes, and how it can help ease pressures on the environment. You will not become an expert through this course, but you will get to know renewable energy in its many forms, helping you to decide whether solar, wind, or other technologies are right for you.NEEP Grant
For non-profitsNEEP GRANTS
Non-Profit Facility Energy Efficiency Grants – Energy Outreach Colorado offers facility energy efficiency grants for non-profits serving low-income individuals and families. As a result, they can reduce energy costs and allocate more of their operating budget to community services.REAP Grant
Funding for rural businessesREAP
Rural Energy for America Program –Provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase or install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements to their businesses.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Click on the links below for more detail about these funding options.
| Funding Option | Pros | Cons | Loan Amount Limits | Avg % Int Rate | Loan Period | Approx Pmt/Mo Assuming $25K Loan Amount | Who Should Apply? | Other Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifies for 30% Federal Tax Credit Immediately | Large Cash Outlay – Risk of Reduced Cost Recovery if House is Sold Early | n/a | n/a | n/a | 0 | Anyone with enough cash to fund a complete solar installation | ||
| Loan Interest on Primary Residence is Tax-Deductible | Can Carry up to 2.5% Origination Charge | Up to 80% LTV | 2.79%-4% | Up to 30 Years | $105 | Homeowners with average or better credit and more than 20% equity | BEST FINANCING OPTION FOR THOSE WHO QUALIFY! | |
| Local! | Limited Loan Programs | Up to $5,000 | Call Banks for Rates | Call Banks for Terms | Call Banks for Terms | Anyone | ||
| No Collateral Required | 3-5% Funding Fee | Up to $35,000 | 6.68% to 35.97% APR | Up to 5 Years | $495+ | Individuals w/ Good to Excellent Credit | Small Business loans available up to $300K | |
| No Collateral Required | 1-5% Funding Fee | Up to $35,000 | 6.68% to 28.69% APR | Up to 5 Years | $495+ | Individuals w/ Good to Excellent Credit | Small Business loans available up to $100K | |
| Local! Relationship-based. Flexible Terms | Limited Availability | No Cap | 5-10% | 3-7 Years | $105 to $500+ (Interest Only vs. Full Amortization) | Anyone with a good local reputation/references, and reasonable collateral/security | Consult L.I.O.N. Groups for more info | |
| 0% Interest Possible with Intro Rates | Balance Transfer between cards may be required about once per year to maintain very low rates | Limit Based on Credit | 0-20%+ | Ongoing | $250+ | Anyone with Excellent Credit and/or Unused Available Credit | ||
| EnergySmart Revolving Loan Fund | Funding Up to 115% LTV and no down payment | Not Available in Delta County Yet | Up to $25,000 | 3.75% to 8.5% | Up to 10 Years | $250+ | Homeowners with Fair or Better Credit |