Solar Solutions for Schools. Solar Power Solutions for Schools

Transcription

1 Solar Power Solutions for Schools

2 Introducing Your Presenters Matt Shannon Arizona Service Territory Manager SOLON Corporation Ken Carter Director of Purchasing Paradise Valley Unified School District

3 We Encourage You to Ask Questions During the Presentation! Questions? Answers!

4 Presentation Goals & Objectives To provide information about successful school solar projects, from the perspective and experience of school district and solar industry project stakeholders, with attention to: > The benefits of solar power (PV systems) for school districts > The process involved when deciding to incorporate solar > The ownership and financing structures available in AZ

5 A Quick Primer: What is Photovoltaic System? (PV System) PV Modules (Solar Panels) Weather Station Combiner Boxes Grid-Tie Inverter AC Utility Disconnect Data Monitoring Site Electric Interconnect Bi-Directional Utility Meter Power To/From Utility Grid

6 Why Undertake a School PV System Project? > Schools spend more on energy than any other operating expense. > High-performance schools can lower a school district's operating costs by up to 30%. > Energy is one of the few expenses a school can reduce without sacrificing educational quality. PV systems provide immediate cost savings that require no up front cost when structured through an solar services agreement.

7 PV Systems at Paradise Valley Unified School District (USD) Pinnacle High School: 462 kw Shadow Mountain High School: 972 kw Solar Solutions Horizon for High Schools School: 288 kw North Canyon High School: 940 kw

8 Paradise Valley USD Solar Projects PV system projects at the District i t were started in October 2009, installation ti began in May 2010 and all systems were fully installed by the end of 2010.

9 Process Involved When Deciding To Incorporate PV Systems 1. Empower your team to make smart solar decisions. 2. Assess your energy use and engage your utility. 3. Evaluate and identify your solar solution. 4. Develop the ownership/financing strategy & solicitation 5. Manage and communicate your successful project.

10 Paradise Valley USD s PV System Process Experience > Either identify someone on staff who understands the process or contract an independent solar expert > Become knowledgeable in the administrative i ti requirements and the required paperwork processing > Vet out all legal aspects of the ownership and financing mechanisms. Prepare for many documented Agreements

11 An Overview of Current Solar Incentives Federal Incentives > The Federal government is currently offering a 30% Investment Tax Credit (ITC) as applied to the gross cost of the system. State Incentives > Arizona encourage the growth and adoption of solar and currently offers a tax credit up to $25,000 in addition to other incentives. Utility Incentives > The major utilities in Arizona provide utility incentives for large commercial systems in the form of production based incentives (PBI s) Net Metering > The major utilities in Arizona provide for the buy back of excess generated power via net metering as monitored by a specialized billing meter Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) > RECs represent the environmental attributes associated with producing renewable energy about current incentives for going solar.

12 PV System Ownership and Financing Structures > Identify the methods of acquiring a system by leveraging the learning curves of District s s that have gone solar Grant & Other Funding Solar Services Agreements School Qualified School Construction Bonds > In some scenarios, a combination of funding sources may be applied to a system procurement Direct System Purchase Solar Hosting a Utility Owned System

13 Solar Services Agreement at Paradise Valley USD A Solar Services Agreement (SSA) is a long term contract that allows School to host and receive electricity it from a PV system, while the installation, operation, maintenance and financing of the entire system is handled by the system owner.

14 The Simple Concept of SSA s An SSA allows Paradise Valley USD to take advantage of the benefits of solar power, without any upfront capital outlay. SOLON, as the selected solar vendor, designed and built the system. System owner SunEdison owns, operates, and maintains the system. Paradise Valley USD simply pays for each kilowatt-hour generated, similar to paying the local utility provider for energy. If the system does not perform because of poor weather conditions or some other unlikely operational malfunction, Paradise Valley USD does not pay the system owner.

15 In Summary > Your schools are likely excellent candidates to benefit from the integration of PV systems > Leverage available PV system project knowledge and resources bases (Other Schools, Solar Consultants, etc.) > Familiarize your team early in the process as to best fit ownership and financing structures for your District.