Solar Over Louisville:2 Million Watt Challenge

A Project of the LSC Green Economy Action Team

Presentation to Louisville Sustainability Board, 6/24/15

Presented by: Nancy Givens, Renewable Energy Subteam Chair

LSC Green Economy Action TeamRenewable Energy Subteam

▪ Colleen Crum – Green Economy Action Team, Chair▪ Nancy Givens, Subteam Chair, Avery and Sun Solar Installations, KySES board▪ Wallace McMullen – Energy Chair, Sierra Club Cumberland Chapter▪ Justin Carter – Operations Coordinator, Family Scholar House▪ David Huff – Director Energy Efficiency and Smart Grid Strategy, LG&E▪ Amy Waters – Treasurer, Kentucky Solar Energy Society (KySES), 350.org▪ Tim Darst – Executive Director, Kentucky Interfaith Power and Light▪ Joan Lindop – League of Women Voters, Sierra Club▪ Ross Pusateri – YouthBuild Louisville▪ Robert Chatham – Energy Consultant, KySES▪ Lissa McCraken – Executive Director, Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center▪ Bobby Clark – Director of Business Development, Midwest Clean Energy

Enterprise LLC ▪ Sy Safi - GCCM Construction Services, My Green Kentucky Home Project▪ Josh Bills - Energy Efficient Enterprises Program Coordinator, MACED▪ Kenya Stump – Assistant Director of Renewable Energy, DEDI

Why Solar Energy?

SEIA Q1 2015 Market Insights Report shows:▪ 1.3 GW solar installed in Q1 (total of 21.5 GW in U.S. now)▪ 76% increase over Q1 2014▪ 53% of new installed electric capacity in U.S. in Q1 2015 is from solar

Benefits of Solar▪ Saves $$▪ Improves air and water quality▪ Creates local jobs and boosts the economy▪ Reduces carbon emissions ▪ Enhances public health ▪ Advances city’s economic draw for new businesses, residents, and visitors ▪ Diversifying the energy supply builds energy security and resilience

Why a SOL Campaign?

▪ Solar incidence in KY is good – much better than Germanywhich is now 30% solar

▪ Cost of solar; industry booming; local jobs; high interest

▪ "People decide where to live before the decide where to work." Solar is attractive to potential new businesses and residents

▪ Other cities have responded more quickly to solar; CEA Solarize Cincinnati, Solar America Cities

▪ Cities nationally are electing to set a goal for Net Zero Energy, i.e.,Vancouver, BC; Burlington, VT, Fort Collins, CO

▪ NCSU recent study ranked Louisville last of 50 large American cities in solar value http://nccleantech.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/Going-Solar-in-America-Ranking-Solars-Value-to-Customers_FINAL.pdf

Why now?

▪ 30% federal ITC for solar is set to expire in 2016

▪ ePAD legislation* for EE & RE: no upfront cost, tied to property tax Gil Holland: “I have 20 solar projects ready to go.”

▪ Momentum for solar + save $$, create jobs, boost economy, clear air, energy security

▪ Louisville has major pushes going on NOW

▪ Solar lighting project for Dixie Highway in Shively (315 kw): budget is approved for Phases 1 and 2. 

▪ Sheppard Square low-income housing solar with Metro Housing Authority:8 buildings (5 kw ea.) + Presbyterian Community Center (50 kw)

▪ St Denis Senior Apartments – solar hot water saves senior money www.aetsolar.com/CaseStudies/SunWindPower_%20StDenis.pdf

Goals of CampaignThe Solar Over Louisville: 2 Million Watt Challenge has a vision to expand community awareness and solar energy capacity in Louisville for residents and the business community through a variety of programs:

2 Million Watts Challenge Solar Community Farm

Large Demonstration- Education Model(s) at Public FacilityEV Charging Stations Network

Neighborhoods and Eco-districts CoopsPresentations-Tours-Trainings

▪ Education goals: Website, social media, press releases, series of presentations and tours, solar installer and NABCEP certification trainings

▪ Installed capacity goals: 2 million watts by 2016 and project goals listed above

Alignment with STAR Communities

▪ CE-3 Greening the Energy Supply, Outcome 2: “Demonstrate that the community receives a portion of its overall energy supply from renewable energy sources.”(0 points achieved at baseline in 2014)

▪ All of Community Level Outcomes, Local Actions* (p. 14) are impacted

▪ Multiple goals and objectives under Climate and Environment (climate change mitigation, greenhouse gas reduction, greening the energy supply, resource efficiency for industrial sector-buildings-public infrastructure, impact opportunities for distributed generation of energy, facilitate transition toward low-emissions vehicles)

▪ Also goals and objectives identified under Economy and Jobs (green market development, quality jobs, targeted industry development, local economy), Health and Safety (natural and human hazards), and Natural Systems (natural resource protection and outdoor air quality)

▪ Additional goals and objectives under Health and Safety and Natural Systems

Work Done to Date▪ Solar subteam of LSC GrEAT Team created to plan initiative; LG&E

represented on subteam

▪ Stakeholders engaged: ▪ Meeting with DEDI and government, utility, nonprofit, and community

stakeholders*Support Louisville solar campaign as model to other KY cities

▪ Meeting w/ Metro Office of Sustainability: possible contribution of small amount of staff time and money; possible incentive funds similar to MSC for green infrastructure; launch w/ ePAD?

▪ Sierra Club: Solar Resolution* and will pay website hosting fee; additional donation

▪ Kentucky Solar Energy Society: support commitment and donation

▪ Website: http://colleencrum.wix.com/solaroverlouisville

▪ Meetings w/ Metro Council members, early in process: Bill Hollander (District 9) and Rick Blackwell (District 12) want to co-sponsor

▪ Others to contact: GLI, KAM (Manufacturers association), HBA, KYSES, KYSEA, KYUSGBC, IFMA, BOMA, DEDI, industry companies, solar manufactures and contractors, electrical/controls companies, and etc.

Timeline

Date Goal

Mar-June, 2015 Planning Committee forms, initial stakeholder meetings; website prototype

July-Aug, 2015 Program approved, fundraising begins

Sept-Oct, 2015 Hire staff member; plan and prepare for launch; National Solar Tour event

Nov-Dec, 2015 Launch campaign to city (corresponding with ePAD launch?)

Jan-Dec 2016 Implement campaign – presentations, press, social media, tours, trainings

June + Dec 2016

Mid-term and end-of-year evaluations

Jan 2017 (Possible) Transition to ReEnergize Louisville for EE + RE w/2030 Goal

Current Challenges

▪ Hosting – What organization(s) will host campaign?

▪ Fundraising – not a 501c3 organization; competition with other green initiatives

▪ Lack of supportive policies – state, local, and utility ▪ 30 kw Net-metering cap▪ Virtual net-metering for community solar farms▪ RPS or Feed-in tariff▪ Incentives, Solar leasing▪ policy to Permit solar with new construction

▪ Marketing plan – what happens after the website?

▪ Stakeholder development – Meet with key manufacturing cos. to discuss initial participation and direction campaign launch could take

BudgetPreferred model: Owned by LSC, RE sub-team is Planning Committee, hire Communications-Events Mgr. for website, social media, news releases, scheduling and planning events, tours, presentation, and trainings – keep it DYNAMIC!!

Staff –½ time FTE Communications & Events Scheduling (no benefits)

$ 22,000

Basic office equipment (or access) – computer or laptop, printer, projector

3,000

Advertising – banner, print-radio-tv-online ads, billboard(?) 1,000

Office Supplies 500

Travel 800

Indirects (10%) 2,700

Projected minimum budget: $30,000/year

An additional $40,000 would be required to hire a ½-time Executive Director

Fundraising Plan

▪ Potential group sponsors list* – Letter to introduce campaign to potential donor groups

▪ Stakeholder levels:▪ Hosts (i.e., LSC?, LEA?)▪ Donors (in 5 levels, below)▪ Sponsors – all groups which support goals and offer some type of support

▪ Suggested Donor levels: ▪ Founding Partner > $5000 ▪ Sustaining Partner $1000-4999 ▪ Supporting Member $250-999 ▪ Affiliating Member $50-249 ▪ Friend <$50

▪ Request $2000 from each Metro Council member

Support needed from LSC

▪ Fiscal sponsorship: Serve as 501c3 agent for fundraising; portion of funds goes to LSC

▪ Financial support: $500-1000 per year or more commitment;

▪ Staff hiring agent. Possible (shared) office location – or work from home

▪ Authority for soliciting funds to meet budget needs

▪ Continuance of Planning Committee and involvement by LSC teams

Thank you!

Q & A