Group Solar Purchasing Making Solar Energy More Affordable.

Group Solar PurchasingMaking Solar Energy More Affordable

Driving down costs will greatly increase addressable market for residential PV

Source: ThinkEquity “Think Greentech” Feb 2010

Average Price Residential Fix Mounted System - $/Watt InstalledSystems co funded by Focus on Energy

• $4.75 Commercial (50 kW) • $3.25 Utility (1 MW)

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

$9.28 $8.94 $7.49 $8.34 $7.54 $8.07 $8.49 $8.30 $6.90

Different name, same outcome “Aggregate purchasing” “Bulk solar” “Solarize” “Group solar” “Collaborative purchasing”

Why Collaborative Purchasing Works Efficient

Aggregated development process

Expert + collective experiences Assurances, safety in numbers

Affordable Pre-negotiated discounts Competitive bidding process

Faster Adoption Limited time offers

Models Community-based Fee-based Solar contractor sponsored

MadiSUN Case Study 250 homeowners 100 workshop attendees 20 participants 4 installers Average price: $5.48 per watt Average savings: 20% Impact: 78kW, 10% increase in solar PV

Key design considerations(pre-commitment approach) Level of commitment needed from

participants Decision-making process

Key design considerations (pre-select installer approach) Selection committee make-up Weighted value of selection criteria Expected level of participation One or multiple installers

Key Lessons Learned Identify key responsibilities

Sponsor Project leader Technical expert

Limited time offer Index pricing

In the works… WECC Commercial Group Buy MREA/Milwaukee Shines MadiSUN/Willy Street Grocery

Cooperative Marshfield Sustainability Committee

Questions Bryant Moroder bryant@madisun.org