Solar Purchasin g 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 [email protected]