"Solar 101" Info Session Set for August 7

Have you ever considered solar energy for your home or business? 

The Sherborn Energy Committee is pleased to announce that, after a competitive selection process, it will partner with SolarFlair for the Sherborn Solar Challenge from July - November 15, 2013.   Solarflair is a Framingham-based company that specializes in roof and ground installations for residences and small businesses; it is currently working successfully in town wide programs with Arlington, Newton and Brookline.    Our program is set up in "tiers" so that the more people who sign up, the better the price becomes for everybody.  We have arranged for two financing options: purchase and lease/power purchase agreement (ppa.)  Over the last few years the purchase price of solar projects in Sherborn has ranged from $5.29/watt  to $7.98/watt.  In the Sherborn Solar Challenge, we expect the purchase price will range from $3.14/watt to $5.50/watt (depending on site, structure, electric, and options) and average about $3.75/watt.  The typical project cost before tax credits (30% federal due to expire in 2016)  and rebates ranges from $12,500 for a 4kW system to $48,000 for a 12kW system.  Historically the payback period has been less than 8 years for SolarFlair customers. For those who would prefer to put no money down and save on their electric bill from day one, the lease/ppa would be a good option.  Currently many Sherborn residents pay about $0.159/kWh.   With the ppa, a third party owns the system and you purchase the electricity from them for as little as $0.104/kWh: about a 30% saving on your electric bill.  The first of several "Solar 101" information sessions  is scheduled for Wednesday August 7th at 7:30 in Town Hall.   We will discuss the technology, suitable locations, financing options, tax incentives, rebates, potential savings, maintenance issues, etc.   We encourage residents and businesses to comparison shop to find the best fit for their situation, but hope the Sherborn Solar Challenge is one alternative they will consider.  Please call 508-808-4631 or email sherbornsolar@solarflair.com to set up a free assessment.

If you would like to volunteer for our outreach effort, free training is provided by SolarFlair.  Please contact :

Jane Pusch

Solar Coach

energycommittee@sherbornma.org

New Residential Solar Program!

The Sherborn Energy Committee is pleased to announce that it has selected SolarFlair as the partner company for the Sherborn Solar Program. The Sherborn Solar Program is designed to encourage the installation of solar photovoltaic panels to serve residential properties. The panels can be installed on roofs of houses, barns or other accessory buildings or on the ground in locations that receive adequate solar radiation.

The Sherborn Solar Program is based on a state-sponsored concept known as "Solarize Mass." The idea is that each town selects a particular solar company to partner with and then promotes the installation of solar panels. The program operates for a limited time and by grouping the purchases residents get a better price on the installations. In fact, the program is set up in "tiers" so that the more people who sign up, the better the price becomes for everybody. Sherborn is not part of the Solarize Mass program but it uses the same model.

The program consists of promoting the installation of the panels at community events. Information sessions called "Solar 101" and Solar 201" are also scheduled to present information about the program including the technology, suitable locations, financing options, potential savings, maintenance issues, etc. The selected company, in this case SolarFlair, will also identify houses with suitable orientation, adequate exposure to the sun, etc. and contact those residences.

SolarFlair is a Framingham-based company that specializes in solar installations for residences and small businesses. In addition to Sherborn, it has been selected as the vendor in several communities who are part of the Solarize Mass program including Arlington, Brookline and Newton.

Interested residents or businesses may contact the program at energycommittee@sherbornma.org.