3. Today’s Webinar
Solarize basics
Roles of program partners
Municipal application process
Installer selection process
Questions and answers
4. About CEFIA
Quasi-public authority created by PA 11-80 (successor to
CT Clean Energy Fund)
Tasked with leveraging public and private funds to drive
investment and scale up clean energy deployment in CT
Provides incentives for residential solar through the
Residential Solar Investment Program
Develops innovative financing products such as loans and
leases that can be used for solar PV systems
5. About SmartPower
Nation’s leading non-profit marketing firm dedicated to
promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy
Other CT community-based campaigns include Clean Energy
Communities, Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge and
Energize Norwich
Extensive solar marketing experience
9. Together.
Community initiative
Motivated clean energy
task forces & solar
ambassadors
Backing of municipal
leaders & community
organizations
Group pricing discounts
that increase with the
number of contracts
10. Solarize Connecticut –The Basics
20 Week Campaign
Single Pre-Selected Installer
Tiered Pricing – price drops for everybody as more kW of
solar are sold in the community!
Tier 1: 0 – 25 kW
Tier 2: 25 – 50 kW
Tier 3: 50 – 150 kW
Tier 4: 150 – 250 kW
Tier 5: 250+ kW (represents 36 “average-size” (~7 kW) systems)
Follows “Classic” Solarize Connecticut model, NOT Solarize
Choice or Solarize Express Model
11.
12. CEFIA
Solar incentives & Financing
Comprehensive program
support
Contracts with SmartPower
LOCAL COMMUNITY
Solar Ambassadors
SMARTPOWER
Engagement of grassroots
groups
Marketing / education
toolkit
Event hosting
Grassroots support
Communication strategies
CUSTOMER
INSTALLER
Get free site assessment
Decide on ownership
model
Tell friends & neighbors
Turnkey installation
Ownership options
Competitive tiered pricing
13. SolarizeCT.com
Customer Contact Form
Event Calendar
Town Pages & Tool Kits
Program Information
Newsroom
Testimonials & Videos
Social Media
14. Results To Date
Phase 1 (Sept. ‘12 – Jan. ‘13)
~ 280 systems in
Durham, Fairfield, Portland &
Westport
> 2 MW of solar PV
Average cost $3.70/watt
Phase 2 (Mar. ‘13 – July ‘13)
~ 160 systems in
Bridgeport, Canton, Coventry and
Mansfield/Windham
> 1 MW of solar PV
Avg. cost $3.99/watt
15. Benefits of Solarize
Lowers purchase cost of solar
Saves money on residents’ electric bills
Improves environment and public health
Earns points for Clean Energy Communities
program
Supports energy independence
Enhances home values
Creates local jobs
“Durham is very pleased to have been part of
the successful pilot program offered by
Solarize Connecticut. The model allowed us to
reach the lowest price level available, saving
residents money and helping the
environment. The Solarize Connecticut
program was a gratifying community-building
experience.”
- Laura Francis, First Selectman
16. Timeline
Town RFP
• Issued Jan. 3
• Due Feb. 3
• Coalitions
allowed
• Selections
announced
early Feb.
Installer
RFP
Campaign
Planning
Campaign
• To be issued
late Jan.
• Due late Feb.
• Town shortlist
installers
• Interviews
• Town ranks
&, with input
from
CEFIA, selects
installer
• Feb.-Mar.
• Initial town
meeting
• Outreach
brainstorm
meeting
• Identify media
contact
• Schedule
launch event
• Late Mar.-early
Apr.
• Press release
• Launch event
• E-mail
blasts, mailings
• Workshops
• Open houses
• Bi-weekly calls
17. Town Application Process
Letter of support from chief elected official (1 page)
Identify project manager (town or city employee, task force member
or some other volunteer) and other team members
Completed & signed Attachments A & B
Optional – Description of potential team & preliminary marketing
plan (SmartPower & CEFIA will help to develop) (1 page)
Special requests for installer (1 page)
Letters of support (1 page, no more than 3 letters)
18. Successful Attributes
Proven success in Clean Energy Communities program
History of solar adoption (potential solar ambassadors)
Strong support from chief elected official
Active clean energy task force
Potential partner organizations
Promotional opportunities at highly trafficked events
19. Miscellaneous
Must be located in CL&P or UI service territory
Coalition of towns allowed
• Mansfield-Windham; Easton-Redding-Trumbull; Ashford-ChaplinHampton-Pomfret; Roxbury-Washington; Columbia-Lebanon are
examples of Solarize coalitions
• Towns should be neighboring with good working relationship
Special town requests allowed
• American-made panel option
• Solar hot water option
20. Installer Selection Process
CEFIA issues RFP to all eligible solar installers
Qualifying proposals shared with municipalities’ review committee (3
appointed persons)
Review committee meets with CEFIA, SmartPower and a technical
consultant to create “shortlist” of installers (3-4)
Interviews of installers (each session open to all towns)
Town committee ranks preferred installers
CEFIA assists with selection and contracts with chosen installer
21. Installer Selection Criteria
Pricing (important but not the most significant factor)
Experience in Connecticut
Customer satisfaction
Capacity to handle heavy workload
Equipment options
Financing options