Solar Somerville - Some Assembly Required by baylorbennett

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Oliver Sellers-garcia Mar 26, 2015 02:31 Advisor 1 \| Share via:	Thank you for your proposal! Solar energy will be a critical part of reducing carbon emissions. We look forward to providing more feedback.
Jamie Bemis Apr 1, 2015 09:04 Fellow 2 \| Share via:	Hi Baylor, Thanks for submitting your proposal! You've got a great idea with a lot of potential. To strengthen your proposal, I suggest adding a little more detail- particularly in terms of potential costs and impact. Solar panels can be installed on pitched roofs as well as flat roofs, so you may want to include ALL Somerville roofs as potential candidates. You could estimate how many homes are in Somerville (using the resources on the contest page) and then do ballpark calculations to assess the potential number of panels and/or potential impact. It's totally fine if the numbers are rough, as long as you list your assumptions (for instance, that all homes install 3 panels, and each panel produces 200 W, and the average sun-hours per day is 4.0, etc). This would allow for ballpark figures on electricity cost offsets, which would make a compelling case-- both for residents and the city. Also, have you explored whether solar companies would guarantee their product if it was installed by homeowners? If so, this is great support for your proposal. If not, can you suggest a potential solution to this issue? What if free installation was provided in return for a payment each month over the life of the panels? Lastly, I would encourage you to consider that many residents in Somerville are renters, and therefore have limited control over their buildings. Nevertheless, many renters may be eager both to support green energy, and also to have their electricity bills offset. Can you suggest any ways in which this project can address the renter/landlord relationship and provide a favorable option for both parties? Thanks and I look forward to reading your revised proposal! Jamie
Baylor Bennett Apr 15, 2015 07:47 Member 3 \| Share via:	Proposal contributor Thanks for the feedback Jamie! I'll update and submit. I'm not sure pitched roofs are as easily DIY and my goal here is to start with the low hanging fruit. Flat roofs are easier simply because it doesn't require drilling into the roof (potential for leaks). I didn't think of the warranty of the solar panels if not professionally installed. That's a good point and I will look into that. I need more data to back up my educated guess but I think saving the installation labor will save the homeowner a considerable amount. That's the ultimate goal. With solar panel prices coming down monthly the cost of equipment is no longer out of reach. The cost to install is where it becomes prohibitive. Again, I need hard data to back this up and will research more. As for the renters, I'm not sure they would be interested in or benefit from solar on their building's roof. The direct impact and benefit should be to the building or home owner. They pay the property taxes and have a longterm investment in the sustainability of their building. If the city provides tax benefits and / or the value of the property is increased because of solar panels then the benefit is to the property owner. Renters are likely going to enjoy the reduced electric bill so again a benefit to the property owner in the rental market. Not to imply I don't want to consider the renter's point of view, but I don't think they're the target market. My hope is that the city of Somerville or a subcontractor will take on the management of solar distribution and subsidization. Many websites offer basic solar kits (even Home Depot) but they aren't large enough to offset their cost. I think the key here is to have the city help with the initial investment. Again, thanks for the feedback. I'll be updating my proposal in the coming weeks. :) Cheers, Baylor
Manohar Lal Baharani Apr 22, 2015 02:01 Catalyst 4 \| Share via:	Hi Baylor, Additional thoughts... an assessment of life cycle cost of solar panels in your proposal will enhance its prospects and concept of energy service companies (on profit sharing basis) could be an option for the renters. Bests. Manohar