1. 2012 DC Nonprofit Solar
Bulk Purchase

2. 1. DC Solar United Neighborhoods
2. About 2012 Solar Bulk Purchase
3. Looking For More Participants
4. Benefits Of A Bulk Purchase
5. Two Financing Options
6. Pros & Cons of Financing Options
7. Flexibility Of PPA Option
8. How The Process Works
9. Next Steps
10. Important Internal Decisions
11. Questions?

3. Making solar affordable and accessible for all of DC
1. Umbrella organization for 11
solar coops in DC
2. Provides
information, support, &
connections to expedite the
solarization process
3. Helps nonprofits use solar
power to reduce utility bills &
increase mission-based
Contactspending
| SolarCoop@Yahoo.com Florida Avenue Baptist Church’s Rev. Earl Trent
Website | http://www.DCSUN.org

4. What is a Bulk Purchase?
1. Group of nonprofits
collaborates to acquire solar
PV systems
2. Collaborative pre-installation
process supported by DC
SUN
3. Single installer
4. Each participant receives its
own system, and creates its
own unique financing
package

5. Potential Participating DC Community Organizations
Include:
1. THEARC
2. Bread for the City
3. Center of Concern
4. Georgetown Day School
Looking for other interested organizations

6. 1 2 3
Easier More
Save Money Implementation Fundraising
Process Opportunities
Ability to utilize Guidance from DC
Larger
economies of SUN & other
projects
scale organizations
attract press
and donors
Greater
competition Collaboration
between through support DC SUN will
developers network of other supplement
Bulk Purchase fundraising
More participants efforts
negotiating
power

7. Full Purchase
Nonprofits negotiate a bulk purchase of a solar PV system. Each
nonprofit pays for its respective portion of the system, and, in
exchange, retains 100% ownership of (1) the solar system, (2) the
power the solar system installed on its property produces, (3) the Solar
Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) that correspond to that
renewable energy production, & (4) all other corresponding incentives.
Power Purchase Agreement
(PPA)
A project developer pays for, owns, and maintains a solar PV system for
each participating nonprofit. In exchange, (1) the nonprofits pay a
predetermined, discounted rate for all power produced by the system
throughout the life of the PPA contract, and (2) the project developer
retains 100% ownership of all incentives associated with the purchase
of the systems.

8. Full
PPA
Purchase
Pros Pros
1. Substantial & immediate savings on energy 1. Little to no upfront costs
expenditures 1. Low risk
1. Organization retains ownership of SRECs 1. No incentives are left on the table
& all other incentives associated with solar 1. Organization is not responsible for general
system installation & renewable energy maintenance & upkeep of the solar system
production
Cons Cons
1. Significant upfront costs 1. Limited annual energy expenditure
1. Depending on tax appetite, various savings
incentives might be left on the table 1. SRECs and all other incentives associated
1. Organization is responsible for general with solar system installation & renewable
maintenance & upkeep of the solar system energy production below to the developer

9. 1. Regular PPA - $0 upfront, higher monthly $/kWh
2. Prepaid PPA – Pay $ upfront for lower monthly $/kWh
The more money prepaid, the greater the savings:

10. 8-Step Process
1. Sign up at http://bitly.com/bulkpurchasesignup
2. Attend an informational meeting on Monday, April 23rd
from 12:00 – 1:30 PM
3. Sign a Letter of Intent by Friday, May 25th stating your
organization would like to be included in the DC SUN 2012
Solar Bulk Purchase
4. DC SUN will solicit bids on behalf of the group
5. Collaboratively review bids & select best option
6. Develop & implement a fundraising campaign
7. Sign an individual contract with chosen installer & have
system installed
8. Celebrate & spread the word

11. Deadline Decision
As an organization, discuss:
1. Intent to implement a solar system
Today – April 23 2. Preference for full purchase or PPA
3. What amount of capital, if any, your organization is
willing and able to pay upfront
April 23 Attend informational meeting from 12:00 – 1:30 PM
May 25 Sign a “Letter Of Intent”
May 26 – June 8 Develop and initiate a fundraising strategy
June 29 DC SUN issues RFP on behalf of Participating Organizations
July 21 Review bids and select best proposal

12. 1. Roofing – How old is your roof? What material is it made
of? Are there any structural or shading issues with your
roof?
1. Decision Makers – Who in your organization will have
to give the final “OK” on this kind of project? Who will be
the primary contact for information about the project?
1. Capital – Does your organization have capital that it is
willing to commit upfront to this project? Are you
interested in putting together a fundraising campaign, in
collaboration w/ DC SUN, to reduce the overall cost of the
project?

13. Questions?
For more information visit: https://sites.google.com/site/dcsolarunitedneighborhoods/key-issues-and-committees/2012-

14. Visualization of Energy Expenditure Savings
Energy
Expenditure
Savings
Pros | (1) Substantial & immediate savings, (2) ownership of SRECs
Cons | (1) Significant upfront costs, (2) tax-based incentives left on table,
(3) responsible for upkeep

15. Visualization of Energy Expenditure Savings
Energy
Expenditure
Savings
Pros | (1) Little to no upfront costs, (2) low risk, (3) not responsible for
upkeep
Cons | (1) Limited annual savings, (2) incentives go to developer