GRID Alternatives. Solar for Low Income Homeowners Solar Power 2009 October 27, Generating Renewable Ideas for Development Alternatives

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "GRID Alternatives. Solar for Low Income Homeowners Solar Power 2009 October 27, 2009. Generating Renewable Ideas for Development Alternatives"

Joanna Cain
8 years ago
Views:

1 Solar for Low Income Homeowners Solar Power 2009 October 27, 2009 Erica Mackie Executive Director GRID Alternatives

2 Outline Introduction to GRID Alternatives Why Low Income Families Low Income Homeowners in Particular (the why and the challenge) Single Family Affordable Solar Homes (SASH) Rebate Case Studies How to get involved

(the why and the challenge) Single Family Affordable

3 Organization Background Non profit organization CA licensed C 10 electrical contractor Program Administrator of Singlefamily Affordable Solar Homes (SASH) Rebate Program

4 Solar Affordable Housing Program Installs solar electric systems for lowincome families with the help of volunteers, job trainees, and the families themselves.

5 Why Solar for Low Income Families Environment Reduction of green house gases Environmental Justice Power plants often sited in low income communities High rates of asthma Economic High energy costs Significant savings Over 1.8 million low income owner occupied households in CA

income communities High rates of asthma Economic High energy costs

6 Homeowners The challenges and the positives

7 The Challenges General distrust and skepticism for outside programs Poor economics (reduced electricity rate, small systems) Homes often not solar ready (need roofs, fuses) Financial strain and foreclosure climate make loans challenging Long term return on investment not a motivator, need day one positive cash flow Multi lingual, multi cultural marketing challenge Risk of causing more harm than good (default on loan, education around energy use, equipment replacement savings, maintenance)

Long term return on investment not a motivator, need day one positive cash flow Multi lingual, multi cultural marketing

8 The Positives Proportionally greater economic benefit Low income homeowners pay a greater % of take home pay on utilities than the general population Wider adoption of solar Prove solar is a viable solution in all communities, leads to greater adoption Barn raising model allows general public to gain familiarity with the technology) Jobs Hands on experience prioritized for job training partners Networking opportunities as part of every installation Paid on the job training as part of Solar Partner Program

Barn raising model allows general public to gain familiarity with the technology) Jobs Hands on experience prioritized for job

9 Single Family Affordable Solar Homes Rebate (SASH) GRID Alternatives provides education, design, permitting, installation, inspection, rebate, follow up, warranty Solar Partner Program (SPP) now accepting applications Free 1kW systems for families earning <50% AMI Rebates of $4.75 $7.00 for families between 50 80% AMI Owner occupied existing homes Electricity provided by PG&E, SCE, or SDG&E Currently restricted to affordable homes defined by PU Code 2853 (Requires a resale restriction or an equity sharing agreement)

10 Single Family Affordable Solar Homes Rebate SASH The Bad and the Very Good Very restrictive qualification criteria based (PU Code 2852) For those homeowners that qualify Amazing opportunity for substantially subsidized solar! Local dollars are leveraged 3:1 Low income homeowner protection Positive Cash Flow from Day 1 Includes energy efficiency Homeowner education, engagement, and ownership Green collar workforce development and community involvement

11 Existing Single Family Home Size of PV system Electricity bill before solar Savings from switching rate schedule Savings from LIEE measures Savings from solar Electricity bill after solar Estimated solar savings over system lifetime 3.3 kw $96.25 /month $0 /month $24.57 /month $64.56 /month $7.12 /month $30,347

solar Electricity bill after solar Estimated solar savings over system

12 Existing Single Family Home 3.3 kw system Retail/ CSI GRID/ SASH Low GRID/ SASH High Cost of PV system $26,400 $22,117 $22,117 Rebate $5,115 $15,675 $23,100 Federal tax $6,386 $1,933 $0 Net cost to homeowner $14,899 $4,509 $0 Payback period (solar savings) 19 years 5.7 years Gap funding: Local government (Rehab loan/grant, NSP, CDBG, EEBG), Corporate sponsors, equipment donation/discounts, grants)

Rebate $5,115 $15,675 $23,100 Federal tax credit @30% $6,386 $1,933 $0 Net cost to homeowner $14,899

13 How to Get Involved Subcontractor Partnership Program (SPP) Design, permitting, installation, warranty only (GRID does outreach, rebate, homeowner education) Includes job training component Gap Funding Financial Sponsorship Team Leaders Volunteers

org Design, permitting, installation, warranty only (GRID does

14 GRID Alternatives 3833 Manila Ave Oakland, CA Tel: x314 Erica Mackie

GRID Alternatives. Generating Renewable Ideas for Development Alternatives

GRID Alternatives. Generating Renewable Ideas for Development Alternatives Why Solar for Low-Income Families Environment Reduction of green house gases Environmental Justice Power plants often sited in low-income communities High rates of asthma Economic High energy costs Significant