1. Removing Barriers and Inspiring Action
Rooftop Solar
Removing Barriers and Inspiring Action
Moderator: Rick Minard, NH Office of Energy and Planning
Sarah Simonds, Vital Communities & Solarize Upper Valley
Jon Osgood, NH Public Utilities Commission
Jonathan Gregory, Revision Energy
Rick LaBrecque, Eversource Energy
Scott Albert, GDS Associates

2. Solarize = Local Volunteers + Local Installers + 15 Weeks
Solarize Upper Valley
Solarize = Local Volunteers + Local Installers + 15 Weeks
15 Towns and 7 Installers
Address Common Barriers to Going Solar
1. Consumer Confidence
Trusted source
2. Complexity
Simple first step
3. Cost
Tiered pricing
4. Inertia
DEADLINE to act!

3. Solarize Upper Valley Maybe 200 installations to begin with…
15 Towns and 7 Installers
Over 300 new solar homes!
Over site visits (8% of all households)
And counting…

4. Residential Solar (and Wind) Rebates
Rebate Amount
Maximum $3,750.00
Lowest of:
$0.75 per Watt
Total panel DC rating Or
50% of total project cost

5. Residential Solar (and Wind) Rebates
Conditions
10kW DC or smaller systems
New or Expansion Systems
One-time Rebate
UL Listed Equipment
80% System Efficiency (Target)
Home-owner is Applicant
Payment to applicant only
Permits
Inspection

6. Residential Solar (and Wind) Rebates
1,540 rebates paid
1,862 rebate applications received
$35m project value
Avg. system size kW
Avg. per kW cost $5,200/kW
FY15 avg. sys size kW
FY15 Avg. sys cost $24,500
FY15 avg. per kW cost $3,760/kW

7. The Importance of Licensed Electricians
Its the Law!
Code Complexities
High Voltage (DC and AC)
Terminals and Grounding
Accountability and Experience
Apprenticeship Programs
Jonathan Gregory
ReVision Energy, LLC

8. Working with your Utility
Get to know your utility DG contact people, website, and forms
Submit a completed application early in the process
Avoid issues with non-approved installations (meter box, UL- 1741, disconnect, transformer size)
Make sure of the meter # and account #
Kilowatt-hours cannot be shared across multiple meters (w/o Group Host treatment)
Licensed Electrician vs Town Inspector (Certificate of Completion)
Do not energize system until proper meter is installed and authorized
Avoid the late December rush

9. Steps to Consider When Pursuing Residential Solar PV
* As with any significant purchase, shop around when considering purchasing a solar PV system. Gather as much information as possible, check contractor references and obtain multiple quotes.

11. Available for download at nh.gov/oep
Purpose: Provide information and tools for municipalities, installers and others. Help reduce soft costs for residential solar PV.
Key Elements:
Make information available for municipalities, residents, installers, and utilities
Simplify permit application, submission, review and inspection processes
Understand utility interconnection requirements
Pursue training and other resources
Available for download at nh.gov/oep

12. Discussion Moderator: Rick Minard, NH Office of Energy and Planning
Sarah Simonds, Vital Communities & Solarize Upper Valley
Jon Osgood, NH Public Utilities Commission
Jonathan Gregory, Revision Energy
Rick LaBrecque, EverSource
Scott Albert, GDS Associates &