joy hughes - solar gardens
DESCRIPTION
The community solar gardens program is beginning in Colorado -get the inside scoop on how the program is developing from Solar Gardens Institute founder Joy Hughes.TRANSCRIPT
SOLAR GARDENS DEVELOPMENT IN
COLORADO
Joy Hughes – Solar Gardens Institute
Sprouting up Everywhere
Maps showing community solar interest
Saguache Solar Garden – 200 kW
A private / public partnership with the Town of Saguache on a former dump site. Subscribers include town buildings, library district, low income.
Charles Tidd,Solar Gardener
Jeffco Open Garden – 500 kW
A privately owned former mine site, divided into parcels of approx. 1 acre. SPH is issuing a Solicitation of Interest for at least four solar gardens on the site.
Rachel Emmer,Solar Gardener
Cost Control
Minimize fixed cost per solar garden- KISS principle, no bells and whistles
Ownership models – competitive process
Minimal software needed for XCEL projects
Revenue sharing and contingency pay
The Big Test
CU Denver business students to conduct a test of solar gardens business models
Considering models from all SGI members
Analyze costs and benefits to subscribers, hosts, and investors / sponsors
Model for Smaller Arrays: University Park, Maryland LLC
Legal documents available FREE
Limited to 35 members – no advertising
Good for churches, HOAs, neighborhood associations
Can be used to power common buildings or as a solar garden
Low and Mid Income Subscribers A Colorado Cooperative
Small investors provide “sponsorship” for subscribers in any solar garden (including Clean Energy Collective and others)
Might be used as subscriber organization - third party finance needed ( C3PO ) for tax purposes
Broad securities exemption under Colorado law
Call for Projects!
Solar gardens or community supported arrays of any size
Consulting from the SPH “Dream Team”
Least cost / best fit ownership models – low overhead
Use your own equipment / finance / installers – or use ours
SGI’s Mission
To educate the public about community solar energy.
To promote community solar energy legislation at the federal level and in each state
To assist local organizations in organizing, developing, and managing community-owned solar energy projects everywhere.
To make affordable solar energy available for all humanity
Solar Gardener Program
A solar gardener is a grassroots community organizer and project manager
Receive training, tools, mutual aid
Participate in Governance
“Sweat Equity” – paid in panels
Original Gardener Gary Nystedt – Ellensburg Community Renewable Park
Legislation in Play
SB 843 – California “solar gardens”
Template law for Maryland and more
SUN Act – Tax credit for subscribers
Restoration of PACE
A Constitutional Convention for SGI *
* (Like this, but more diverse)
• A mix of industry, hosts, subscribers
• Elect board and officers for SGI
• Adopt mission, founding principles, initial goals
• Establish consent based “dynamic governance”
Member Benefits
SGI press releases / communications
Present at colloquia / other events
Logo on SGI website
Solar gardener program
Subscriber connection
Participate in governance
Research and legislative analysis
SGI Membership
Corporate - 500 kW+ $1000
Integrator - 100-500 kW $500
Community – under 100 kW $250
Nonprofit $100
Individual $25