Purpose & Background:

Timeline:

About MREA:

The post Grow Solar Bloomington – Normal 2025 RFP Announcement appeared first on Grow Solar.

Purpose & Background:

Timeline:

About MREA:

The post Grow Solar Door County 2025 RFP Announcement appeared first on Grow Solar.

Purpose & Background:

Timeline:

About MREA:

Questions + Answers

To calculate simple payback, do you want a utility rate increase included in calculation? If so, what percentage?

It is up to the installer to determine if a utility rate increase is included in the calculation for simple payback.  Oftentimes installers utilize their in-house software to build in a calculation for utility rate increases that helps the customer anticipate the impact of that on their pay back period, however it is up to the installer to provide that calculation as part of the proposal.

Page 10 Part 4 C b – What happens to projects we know are going to be installed later than 2/28/26?  Ex: Customer signs on 9/29 and either needs a new roof, or doesn’t want to install PV if roof has snow/ice.

For projects that are going to be installed later than the deadline, we ask that you simply keep us informed of their status. In your example, a short note in our project tracker such as “waiting for new roof” would be sufficient.

Page 14 – Can you define “US made modules”  domestic content or us made?

American-made solar panels are panels that are assembled in the United States using mostly or entirely US-made parts and materials.

If a customer outside the group buy territory wants to be included, can their kW’s be counted towards this program?

Certainly! If our installer is willing to offer the group buy pricing to property owners that are not within the defined area, we would be happy to include them. Note that our marketing and events will be taking place solely within the program area. 

Desired Qualifications – part 1:  Will employees who are licensed electricians doing the field work be awarded points if they are not NABCEP credential holders?  Licensed electricians are required to take continuing education and understand the NEC more thoroughly than a NABCEP certificate holder.

NABCEP or Distributed Generation Certification as well as any Journeyman Electrician or other certified staff involved in this project will be considered for evaluating the RFP

Business Practices – part B and C:  are these duplicated or are you looking for two separate contract examples?

Under the section on Business Practices, item B. requests a sample customer contract that includes a description of the firm’s terms of payment, process, and timeline, from initial deposit to final payment.   Item C. requests a sample customer contract that represents program pricing that also includes a description of the firm’s terms of payment, process, and timeline, from initial deposit to final payment.  While there is duplication in these two questions, item B. requests a description of the terms of payment and item C. requests program pricing that also includes terms of payment, etc.

In lieu of offering a credit to initial customers if the program capacity increases (payment to the customer for a lower $/watt level reached), can we bill the customer a lower value up front and then invoice them a certain $/watt amount if we don’t reach a certain price level?

The program is based on the tiered structure that provides a rebate incentive at the end of the program.  In consideration of full transparency to consumers, the up-front pricing for what a customer will pay without the rebate is provided at the time of their initial proposal and the rebate is generated at the end of the program for all customers.

The post Grow Solar Green Bay-Fox Valley 2025 RFP Announcement appeared first on Grow Solar.

Purpose & Background:

Timeline:

About MREA:

The post Grow Solar La Crosse County 2025 RFP Announcement appeared first on Grow Solar.

Purpose & Background:

Timeline:

About MREA:

Questions:

Question: How many projects are anticipated to be a part of the group buy?

Answer: Our past 3 Milwaukee group buys have had an average of 53 properties go forward with a system. While we cannot predict the exact number of projects and leads that we will generate, we expect to be in this ballpark again. 

Question: Are you selecting one firm or multiple firms to represent this area?

Answer: It is typical for the advisory committee to select a single installer for our programs. We have had instances in which the committee has selected two installers. 

Question: On page 14, it says a $0.10 per watt fee will be applied for contracted installations above 50 kw. Is that a running total of all the projects installed for this program, or is it specifically for jobs that are over 50 kw?

Answer: The .10/w fee refers to the cumlatiative program results.

Question: On page 15 it states what is not included in baseline price such as structural and electrical work needed. Are these items going to be between us and the customer to work through and we would work out the change orders needed?

Answer: Yes, these items would be between the installer and customer. 

Question: Is there a maximum price per watt at which we’d be able to offer solar installations? What has that price been historically?

Answer: There is no maximum price per watt, but we would encourage installers to put forward your best possible price in order to have a competitive proposal. Our previous program was a two installer program, so there were a few different prices being offered. The base prices ranged from 2.61/w-3.19/w, with options in-between depending on equipment and the installer. 

The post Grow Solar Milwaukee + Waukesha Counties 2025 RFP Announcement appeared first on Grow Solar.

Purpose & Background:

Timeline:

About MREA:

The post Grow Solar Jasper + Poweshiek Counties 2025 RFP Announcement appeared first on Grow Solar.

Purpose & Background:

Timeline:

About MREA:

The post Grow Solar Central Wisconsin 2025 RFP Announcement appeared first on Grow Solar.

In its second iteration, Linn County, Cedar Rapids, Marion, Mount Vernon, Center Point, The Nature Conservancy in Iowa, Indian Creek Nature Center, Matthew 25/Green Iowa AmeriCorps, and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) launched this bulk solar group purchase program for Linn County residents and businesses in June. The Grow Solar Linn County team facilitated 19 free, educational information sessions called Solar Power Hours, which drew in almost 400 attendees.

Group purchase programs provide residents and businesses with the opportunity to invest in high-quality, renewable energy solar installations with potential savings on installation costs, while also helping businesses reach sustainability goals. Grow Solar Linn County’s grassroots program combines volume purchasing with community education to make solar more accessible and affordable for area property owners. Passing the 350 kW benchmark triggered a discount for program participants averaging $650 per installation.

In their first year of operation, the solar arrays installed through this year’s program will offset 900 tons of CO₂ emissions per year, which is equivalent to 400 tons of coal burned and will save an estimated $133,797 in electric bills. This program lead to a local investment of $1.7 million in renewable energy. “The growth of the program is a clear indication that the environmental and financial benefits of solar technology are making a positive impact in the region. We are proud to be part of the Grow Solar Linn County group purchase program,” stated Larry Steffen, VP of Sales with Eagle Point Solar. Representatives from Eagle Point Solar, the selected installer for the 2019 group purchase, prepared over 260 bids during the course of the summer

About Linn County Public Health:

Linn County Public Health, an agency within Linn County government, serves more than 225,000 residents of Linn County to prevent disease and injury, promote healthy living, protect the environment, and ensure public health preparedness. Learn more at linncounty.org/health or by calling 319-892-6000. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LCPublicHealth and follow us on Twitter @LCPublicHealth.

The post Grow Solar Linn County Concludes With Record-Breaking Numbers appeared first on Grow Solar.

Group Buys are important tools for increasing solar deployment in a market in a short period of time. When done correctly, they can be beneficial to everyone involved, including residents, businesses, local organizations, and jurisdictions. They work by aggregating demand for solar, usually in a small geographic area, achieving economies of scale. They lower the solar installers’ “soft costs” further by providing up-front customer education en masse, leading to a higher-than-average conversion rate for solar leads. Home and business owners see lower prices for their solar array, and communities move toward achieving their sustainability goals.

LEARN MORE

The post Why Solar Group Buy? appeared first on Grow Solar.

MONTHLY WEBINAR SERIES

Watch the recording of PACENation’s June webinar, “Municipal Officials and PACE” to learn about the  important role elected officials play in the PACE process. The presentation explores why municipal involvement is critical and best practices for speaking with elected officials about PACE. Noted panelists include:

• Jane Elias, Sonoma County Energy Independence Program
• Jeremy Hutman, Renew Financial
• Genevieve Sherman, PACE Financial Servicing

All PACENation webinars are recorded and can be watched on PACENation’s YouTube Channel: PACENowVideo.

PACENation is an initiative of PACENow, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit advocate for PACE financing.

The post New PACE Resources appeared first on Grow Solar.