1. Municipal Solar: Taking the lead on a growing renewable movement.
Presented by Greg Winks & Will Brown
Solbridge Energy Advisors
GREG INTRO
15s

2. CHANGING THE WAY YOU GO SOLAR!
-Independent consulting and brokerage for solar & renewables
-We do NOT manufacture, install, or sell solar equipment
-We DO work with end users (home & business owners, municipalities, etc.) TO:
-Identify client goals and objectives
-Determine technical and financial capabilities
-Represent client to broad marketplace of design & installation companies
-Independent consulting and brokerage for solar & renewable projects
-We do NOT manufacture, install, or sell solar equipment
-We DO work with & for YOU (interested end users & decision makers) to:
-Identify goals & objectives (for your home, business, municipality, etc.)
-Explain technical and financial capabilities, including savings & payback
-Represent YOU to a broad marketplace of design & installation companies
WILL
15s

3. Solar is a perfectly viable strategy that works anywhere in the
Does Solar Work
in Pennsylvania?
YES!
Solar is a perfectly viable strategy that works anywhere in the
United States.
WILL
30s

4. The Growth of Solar Nationwide Statewide
-Annual national growth rate of 59% over the past decade
-Over 1.9 million solar installations
-Enough to power 12M homes
-A new solar project was installed every 100 seconds
-Over 250,000 Americans employed in the solar industry
-9.6% solar job growth in 2017
-vs. 1% overall job growth
-420 MW of solar installed
-Enough to power 51K homes
-Grid parity has been reached
-4,200 Pennsylvanians employed in the industry
GREG 1m
PA lagging in muni solar, fragmented gov’t
SEIA: Solar Energy Industries Association

5. There has never been a better time to invest in solar.
WILL
15s
Not just investing money in solar panels, but investing time and consideration in crafting zoning ordinances and energy plans for your municipalities.

6. Many Benefits of Going Solar:
Fiscal & Economic
-Cost Savings
-Price Protection
-Economic Development
Safety, Health & Social
-Energy Security/Independence
-Cleaner Air, Water & Environment
-Educational Opportunities
Solar offsets more than 73M metric tons of CO2 emissions per year, equivalent to taking 15.6M vehicles off the road or planting 1.2M trees.
It is not a question of if, but rather when individuals and communities will go
solar and realize these benefits.
WILL 1m

7. Borough of Forest Hills
Municipal Building
GREG
10s

8. Millvale
Community Library
Greg
10s

9. Monaca
Water Reservoir
Greg
10s

10. Solar Financing Cash Purchase Best value (when possible)
30% federal tax credit
Adds value to property
Pays back over time
Loan
Lines of Credit/Loans/Bonds
30% federal tax credit
Adds value to property
Maintains cashflow
Third Party Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)
No upfront cost, no maintenance costs
Long-term ownership possible
No tax advantages

11. Municipal Solar Financing
-Challenge: Municipalities unable to take advantage of tax credits
-Solution: Third party financing & ownership via “tax equity investor”
-Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) contracts can include:
-No upfront cost
-Savings starting in year 1
-Long-term price guarantees
-Options for long-term ownership
GREG 1m

12. Municipal Solar Initiative (MSI)
The MSI is a collaborative effort to achieve widespread municipal energy independence, financial security and community health through solar energy development.
WILL
30s

13. The Municipal Solar Synergy!
Ideal End-User:
Ideal Vehicle:
Municipalities
COGs
-Consistent energy demand
-Interest in community health
-Interest in fiscal sustainability
-Capacity for leadership
(Cannot reap tax benefits)
-Collaboration
-Aggregation
-Serve as managing body
-Create economies of scale
(Attract outside investment)
WILL 1m

14. Make Your Muni Solar-Friendly!
Areas to Consider
-Permitting
-Planning & Zoning
-Inspection
-Construction Codes
-Solar Rights
-Utility & Community Engagement
Initiatives/Resources
-SunShot (DOE)
-SolSmart (DOE)
-Solar Zoning Best Practices (NREL)
-Planning for Solar Energy (APA)
-Zoning & Permitting Guidelines (PennFuture, SUNWPA)
-Utility Scale Development Recommendations (SEIA)
GREG 1m

15. Please Participate in The Municipal Solar Initiative Survey!
Survey Hosted by:
Quaker Valley
Council of Governments
Today’s Presenters:
Greg Winks & Will Brown
Solbridge Energy Advisors
(412)