NY solar PV guide for building owners and contractors by EEreprots.com

1. New York Solar PV Guide
Solar technology, financing programs, and everything you need to know
to drive your investment decision

2.  New York has one of the highest electric cost / kWh in the continental U.S.
– $0.154 / kWh average for all sectors in New York versus $0.112 / kWh for PV
 Solar technologies are established & continue to be improved upon
– Cost of entire system is on decline, efficiencies are increasing
 NY-Sun Initiative committed ~$1 Billion in 2014 for new installs
– Grants, Incentives, and Financing programs allow for more accessibility to solar
– As more Megawatts of solar are installed, each new install will receive
savings per watt installed (Megawatt Block Incentive)
• The sooner you decide to install, the more upfront savings you will realize
 Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Communities, Government, and
Installers / Contractors can all benefit from solar
– Installs of ≤ 200 Kilowatt will typically have ~20-30% of
upfront costs covered
 PACE financing and other groups can finance for $0 upfront
cost to building owner
Now Is The Time To Invest In Solar
(*) http://www.eia.gov
Graph source: http://energy.gov
*

3.  Solar PV systems absorb sunlight, convert energy from
the sun into electricity
– Can be installed on roofs or ground
– Most efficient when panels are South facing
– Will still absorb in winter months and cloudy days
 Inverter changes power from DC to AC
 Connects to utility electric meter and the grid
 Smart technologies can give real time readouts,
change angle of panels for maximum absorption per
day, season, etc.
– Will increase upfront and maintenance costs
2
Proprietary & Confidential
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Basics
Picture source: http://www.southhamssolar.co.uk/

4.  Stabilized electric costs
– Reduced reliance on grid at daily peak energy times,
saving money
 Reduction in CO2 emissions
 Can sell back unused electricity to grid (via Net
Metering)
 20-25 year lifespan
 Typical return on investment (ROI) of < 10 years
 Eligible for federal & state tax credits
 Property value increase (rule of thumb is 20x one years
savings)
 Near negligible maintenance cost
 Can provide power during blackouts when combined
with storage system
 1,000 Watts = 1 Kilowatt (KW)
 ~ $4,000 - $6,000 / KW for install depending on
location ($7,000 - $10,000 in NYC)
– Westchester County currently at ~ $5,500 / KW
 ~ 1 KW of Solar PV / 100 ft2
 1 KW PV produces ~ 1,250 kWh / year (based off
existing installs in New York)
 Optimal stationary angle of panels in New York is ~ 41◦
from horizontal
Quick ReferencesMultiple Benefits of Solar PV
3
Proprietary & Confidential
Solar PV Benefits & References
(*) Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory, Tracking the Sun VII
Graph source: EIA
*

5.  Highest upfront cost to
customer
 Takes full advantage of tax
credits & incentives to
reduce upfront cost
 Remaining upfront cost
can be financed through
NY-Sun Incentive Program
 Maintenance costs fall on
customer (typically
negligible)
 ‘Rent’ Solar PV system
from Solar company with
monthly cost
 Little to no upfront cost to
customer
 Solar company maintains
system
Leasing a Solar PV systemOwning a Solar PV system
 Installer pays for install,
maintenance, and system
 Contract between
customer and installer to
sell electricity to customer
at price lower than utility
price
 Little to no upfront cost to
customer
 ~20 year contract typically
with production
guarantees
 Price of electricity may
increase over time
depending on contract
Power Purchase Agreement
4
Proprietary & Confidential
Ownership and Financing Options
Picture source: http://www.ce.gatech.edu

6.  Incentives for up to 25 KW install
 Federal tax credits of ≤ 30% of cost
of installation
 NY State tax credits of ≤ 25% (up to
$5,000) of cost of installation after
incentives
– Residential Tax Incentives
 Smart Energy Loans or On-Bill
Recovery Loans for ≤ $13,000 or ≤
$25,000 for higher cost-effective
standards
– Repayment of 5, 10, or 15 years
– Financing Options
 Solar Estimator will help you
determine the size of install and
relative costs and savings
– Typical residential homes will
need ≤ 10 KW system for 100%
generation of electricity demand
 Eligibility: multi-unit buildings,
schools, NFPO’s, government
buildings
 Incentives for ≤ 200 KW install
 Federal tax credits of ≤ 30% of cost
of installation
 NY State tax credits of ≤ 25% (up to
$5,000) of cost of installation after
incentives
– Non-Residential Tax Incentives
 Participation Loans of ≤ $100,000
below market interest rates and
On-Bill Recovery Loans of ≤
$50,000 @ 3% interest
– Repayment of ≤ 10 years
– Financing Options
– Additional PACE financing
 Solar Estimator will help you
determine the size of install and
relative costs and savings
Small Non-ResidentialResidential
 Eligibility: commercial buildings,
businesses, municipalities,
government, NFPO’s, communities
 Similar incentives as ≤ 200 KW
installs (eligible for funding up to
200 KW)
 Currently still in planning phases
for > 200 KW install incentives
– Follow NY-Sun Stakeholder
Meetings for more information
Large Commercial & Industrial
5
Proprietary & Confidential
NY Solar PV Incentives by Building Type
Picture source: http://www.solar.excluss.com/

7.  Eligibility: all public K – 12 schools in New York (includes multiple
schools from one district)
 Typically ≥ 50 KW system
 NYPA will provide free energy advisor services
– Researches technologies, feasibility, savings, and purchasing
options
– NYPA will help with financing to realize 0 initial and
maintenance costs
 Uses similar incentives as commercial installs
 Request for Proposals (RFP’s) should be submitted by March,
2015
More information and how to register
Schools (K-Solar program)
Community Green Energy
 Similar to Community Solar but not through NYSERDA / NYPA
– Takes advantage of all incentives previously mentioned
 Helps develop & finance solar projects for communities
– Typically Power Purchase Agreements
 Central solar array in community
– Hosted by any business or municipality willing to host panels
• Electricity generated is used by host site
– ‘Purchase’ of panels by other businesses & residents within
community
• Lower upfront cost ; Earn credits on own electric bill
 More information and how to apply
 Includes all incentives previously mentioned
 If system is installed before 2017, eligible for four-year tax
abatement (reduction) of 5% per year of install costs for four
years
 Max of $62,500 per year after rebates
 More Information
New York City
Community Solar
 Bring together communities & schools for group purchasing of
solar and solar education
– Economies of scale for both installers & customers (the more
customers, the cheaper the install per customer)
 First round of campaign applications closes January 30, 2015
 More information and how to apply
6
Proprietary & Confidential
Select NY Solar PV Opportunities
Picture sources: http://www.21stcentech.com/ and http://cnyenergychallenge.org/

8.  Find an installer, or multiple to find best price offering
– Will determine best system size and placement
– Will assist with applications for NY-Sun incentives &
financing options
– Will install and submit all paperwork to NYSERDA
 Use Power Purchase Agreements, loans, or full sale to
customers
 Megawatt Block Incentive will help determine where
you want to install, take most advantage of incentives
 To become NYSERDA certified, must have one of three:
– NABCEP Certification
– IBEW-NECA Electrical Journeyman & Apprentice
Training
– Underwriters Labs Credential
 Once eligible, must apply and sign agreements below:
– Installer/Contractor Application
– Sample Participation Agreement
 More Information
Installers & ContractorsBuilding Owners
7
Proprietary & Confidential
How To Get Involved: Building Owners, Installers & Contractors
Picture source: http://www.solarjobsuk.com/

9.  NY Sun Initiative – a comprehensive website detailing the NY Sun Initiative
 CUNY Solar Information – a comprehensive website of solar incentives, permits, etc.
 NYSERDA – more information on solar and other energy efficiency technologies
 New York Solar Energy Industries Association – state solar policy, including a comprehensive map of
every New York installer and manufacturer
 List of incentivized PV installs in New York – a comprehensive list of solar install including location, size
of install, cost before and after incentives, manufacturers of the equipment, and annual production
rates
8
Proprietary & Confidential
Additional Information & Useful Links

10. For more information, email us at info@eereports.com
And visit our site eereports.com