peter mandelstam, executive director september 26, 2017
TRANSCRIPT
Solar Simplified Peter Mandelstam, Executive Director
September 26, 2017
The Annual Conference of the Connecticut Housing Coalition
1. GRID Alternatives Vision and
Mission
2. GRID Alternatives Impact
3. Free Technical Assessment
Program
4. Our work in Connecticut
5. Project Example in Norwalk
6. Typical Solar Project Workflow
Vision:
A successful transition to clean energy that includes everyone
Mission:
Make renewable energy technology and job training accessible to underserved communities
Vision and Mission
Who We Are
• The country’s largest nonprofit solar installer.
• GRID trains and leads job trainees and other volunteers to install solar for low income families (defined as having a size-adjusted household income of 80% or less of Area Median Income) who most need the savings, but have the least solar access.
• Previous focus on low income single-family homes. Current focus on multifamily housing and community solar. Serving CT, NJ and NY.
• Workforce development on every installation, plus energy efficiency offered through our partnership with the Association for Energy Affordability (AEA).
History • Founded in 2001
• First solar installations in 2004 in the San Francisco Bay Area
• Expanded to seven offices throughout California
• Now offices in New York Tri-State, Mid-Atlantic, and Colorado
• States served: CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, MD, NJ, NY, and VA
• Tribal Solar Initiative
• International Program, with an office in Nicaragua
“Triple Bottom Line”
GRID Alternatives strongly believes in its triple bottom line:
People: Long-term savings for working families struggling to keep up with energy expenses. Planet: Reduced global warming emissions, while ensuring that low income families have access to clean, sustainable affordable power. Employment: Real-world, hands-on training and experience to help workers access jobs in the rapidly growing solar industry. Success in GRID trainees getting private-sector solar jobs.
GRID’s Growing Impact
Systems Installed: 9,095
kW Installed Lifetime Savings
Participants Trained Tons of Greenhouse Gas
Emissions Prevented
33,883 $330,897,465 33,999 851,175
The Technical Assistance Process
Intro Meeting/Call with Multifamily Building Owner, Get Property
Address List
GRID Performs Quick Remote Site Assessment with just a list of Property Addresses
Submit Initial Site Assessment Report
Request Utility Bill and Basic Site Data
Respond with a Cost Analysis and Proposal for GRID to install, if appropriate
Affordable Solar Challenges 1)Suniva Decision at U.S. International Trade
Commission.
2)SEIA estimates lose of 88,000 Jobs.
3)Solar Panel Price Volatility.
4)Reduction / Step Down of Solar Tax Credit.
5)Tax Reform Likely to Reduce Value of Remaining Tax Credits.
Our work in Connecticut
Who Benefits?
• Low-income renters
• Affordable Housing providers
What GRID Does:
• Technical assistance
• Design, permitting, interconnection, complete installation, all exclusively by GRID staff, with no third party vendors.
• Engagement with residents
Multifamily Installation
Partnerships
• Community-based solar nonprofit advocates
• Regional energy cooperatives
• State Green Banks (CTGB)
• Community college & job training partners
• Affordable housing providers
• Energy efficiency/ weatherization installers
• For-profit solar firms
• Local utilities
• Local governments
80 Fair Street Norwalk, CT
80 Fair Street Norwalk, CT
Project Details
• 57 families served
• 51.8 kilowatts
• 65,740 kWh/year production
Project Partners:
• CT Green Bank
• New Neighborhoods, Inc.
• Norwalk Community
College
• Wells Fargo
• nrg Energy
• Ardsley Partners
• SunPower
New Neighborhoods, Inc. (NNI)
• Building Owner
• Common Load Reduction
CT Green Bank
• Provider of equity and debt financing
• Counter-party to NNI on Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)
80 Fair Street Norwalk, CT
Typical Project Workflow
1st Level Technical Analysis
Introductory Meeting and Utility
Bill Analysis
2nd Level Technical/Savings
Analysis Presentation
Site Visit with Construction Lead and CT-Licensed
Electrician
PPA Work-Order Review and
Signing
Final System Design and Permitting
Submit Financial Documents to
CTGB for Review
PPA Contract Signing
Installation
Our Installation Team
• 7 highly trained solar installers (4 NABCEP certified)
• CT E1 and E2
