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HARNESSING THE POWER OF THE SUN

HARNESSING THE POWER OF THE SUN. FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL. WHO WE ARE. Full-service electrical contractor Licensed, bonded and insured Principals have combined 30+ years electrical and solar experience All employees go through 4 or 5-year apprenticeship program

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HARNESSING THE POWER OF THE SUN

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  1. HARNESSING THE POWER OF THE SUN FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL

  2. WHO WE ARE • Full-service electrical contractor • Licensed, bonded and insured • Principals have combined 30+ years electrical and solar experience • All employees go through 4 or 5-year apprenticeship program • NABCEP Certified Solar Installers; LEED AP • Journeyman Electrician Lead on-site; Master Electrician oversees inspection.

  3. WHAT WE DO • Residential Electrical • Commercial Electrical • New Construction • Renovation • Code Upgrades • Back-up Power • Emergency Service • Lighting Controls • Energy Audits and Conservation • LEED Certification • Residential Solar • Commercial Solar

  4. How doessolar work? • The best formula for a solar electric system is a high rate of insolation (solar resource) and high utility rates. • The bad news: • Western Washington’s insolation is about 2/3 that of Sacramento. • Washington has some of the lowest utility rates in the country. • The good news: • Washington has one of the best solar incentive programs in the world. so…

  5. how doessolar work in washington? • Federal, State, Utility and Local programs pay YOU for producing energy. • FEDERAL PROGRAMS • Federal Tax Credit for Individuals and Businesses • 30% of your total system cost is credited against tax liability • You can take all of the credit in the first year, or roll it over into subsequent years until 12/31/2016 • No maximum • Accelerated and Bonus Depreciation (MACRS) • 20% or MORE of your total system cost can be taken as depreciation credits • Available for commercial customers only!!! • Be wary of solar companies telling you this can be used on your house! • Depreciation basis is 85% of system cost • 50% bonus depreciation in year one; 20%, 32%, 19.2%, 11.52%, 11.52%, 5.76% • Department of Agriculture Grants (REAP) • Rural, agricultural small businesses may be eligible for a grant of 25% of total system cost through the USDA

  6. how doessolar work in washington? • STATE PROGRAM • Renewable Energy Cost Recovery Incentive Payment Program • Enacted in 2005, secured through June 30, 2020 • Trade group working on a new bill for 2014 • NO SALES TAX! • Meant to encourage manufacturing in Washington • Base rate of $0.15/kWh • Multipliers of 2.4 for WA-made modules; 1.2 for WA-made inverters • Maximum payback of $5000/year through your utility • New Production Meter installed • Read once a year; year is July 1-June 30 $0.15 x 1.2 $0.18/kWh $0.15 x 2.4 $0.36/kWh $0.54/kWh

  7. how doessolar work in washington? • NET METERING • YOU are USING the energy produced by your system • Depending on usage, this is an additional 9 to 9 ½ cents per kWh • This amount will be absent from your normal utility bill • Production is MUCH higher in summer; about 1/5-1/6 in winter 54¢ 9.5¢ Rooftop Array Net Meter Production Meter House Panel Total net benefit to you is up to 63.5¢ per kilowatt hour!

  8. Choices to make In-State Components or Out-of-State Components • In-State Components • Higher payback = Better ROI • Often < 6 years rather than 11+ • Encourages jobs in Washington • NOTbad quality • Just less automation • Personal relationships with suppliers • Out-of-State Components • Lower overall cost • Modules can be 55% cheaper or more • Overall project cost 30% cheaper or more • Better quality products? • More established, international brands • Confidence in warranty • Shorter lead times • Often available off-the-shelf NWE&S usually includes at least one in-State and one out-of-State option in every proposal

  9. Choices to make Module Selection • Itek Energy • (IT255 mono) • Made in Bellingham since 2008 • Least expensive in-State option • Standard 60-cell module • Compatible with all inverter types • Higher Efficiency modules available • 10/25 Warranty • 10 years workmanship / 25 years 80% production • Silicon Energy • (SiE200) • Made in Marysville since 2005 • Incredibly durable • Tested to 80 years!!! • Double-glass construction • Building friendly 49-cell module • 48” repeat spacing • Better aesthetics • 5/15/30 Warranty • 5 years workmanship / 15 years 90% / 30 years 80% • SolarWorld • (SW270 mono) • Made in Hillsboro, OR • In USA since 1975 • German company • Bought Shell Solar in Camarillo, CA • Largest module manufacturer in US • Higher efficiency 60-cell module • Up to 270W • 10 / 11 / 25 Warranty • 10 years workmanship / 11 years 90% / 25 years 80.2%

  10. Choices to make Inverter Selection—String Inverter or Micro-inverter? • 3-4% more efficient • Equals more production • 50%+ cheaper than micro-inverters • Best ROI • Integrated monitoring (some) • Integrated AC/DC disconnects • Strings of 10-14 modules typically • Suitable for unshaded modules with the same orientation. • More versatile • Any number of modules is possible • Isolation of shading • Typically 1 inverter for 1 or 2 modules • 1-2 modules shaded does not affect the output of the rest • Any orientation • Modules can face different directions at different tilt angles • Optional energy monitoring unit • Add $500 to total project cost

  11. Choices to make Inverter Selection—In-State • Itek Energy • (EltekTheia line) • String inverter • Established, Norwegian brand assembled in Bellingham • Available in 2.0kW, 2.9kW, 3.8kW, 4.4kW • Strings of 10-13 modules • Integrated monitoring system • 230V-600V range • 10-year warranty • 97.3% max efficiency • Silicon Energy • (SiE3840 and 5300) • String inverter • Made in Marysville • Available in 3.84kW or 5.3kW • Strings of 11-14 modules • 235V-600V range • Bundled with Silicon Energy modules • Not compatible with micro-inverters • 10-year warranty • 96.7% max efficiency • Blue Frog Solar • (APS 200 or 500) • Only micro-inverter made in WA • Made in Poulsbo since 2012 • Available as one per module (APS200) or one per 2 modules (APS 500) • Optional monitoring unit for $500 • 25-year warranty • 95.5% max efficiency

  12. Choices to make Inverter Selection—Out-of-State • SMA • (SunnyBoy line) • String inverter • German Company with 40% world market share • Made in USA • Available in nearly any size • Strings of 9-13 modules • Available monitoring interface • 150V-600V range • 10-year warranty • 97.2% max efficiency • Enphase • (M215 and M500) • Micro-inverter • Largest micro-inverter manufacturer in the world • Made in China • Available as one per module (M215) or one per two modules (M500) • Optional monitoring unit for $500 • 25-year warranty • 96.3% max efficiency

  13. Choices AND RETURNON INVESTMENT Typical NWE&S Package Offerings • 5.1kW System • Itek / Theia • 20 x 255-watt modules • One 4.4kW Theiastring inverter • Price per watt = $5.20 • Total system cost = $26,520 • Expected output = 5738 kWh/year • Return on investment = • 5.1 years • 5.1kW System • Itek / Blue Frog • 20 x 255-watt modules • 10 x Blue Frog APS500 micro-inverters • Price per watt = $5.70 • Total system cost = $29.070 • Expected output = • 5610 kWh/year • Return on investment = • 5.7 years • 5.4kW System • SolarWorld / SMA • 20 x 270-watt modules • One SunnyBoy 5000w string inverter • Price per watt = $3.80 • Total system cost = $20,520 • Expected output = • 6075 kWh/year • Return on investment = • 9.2 years Assumptions: 180° azimuth; 20° tilt; 98% sun access; 9.5¢ average utility rate; 0.5% degradation rate; 4.1% utility rate increase

  14. Choices WE’VE MADEFOR YOU Sunmodo Racking Systems—Flat Roof, Metal Roof, Ground Mount, Shingle • All aluminum and stainless steel components • Prevents rust for LONG LIFE • You do NOT want cheap, galvanized steel • Vancouver, Washington-based company • 10-year product / 5-year finish warranty • Premium product • Mechanically anchored

  15. Choices WE’VE MADEFOR YOU We Choose Safety AND Performance • We value our employees and will never ask them to do something that makes them uncomfortable • Rain, Ice or Snow • Safety before schedule!! • Permanent anchors or temporary scaffolding may be required • DC and AC Disconnects • Required by National Electric Code • Not required (in many cases) locally • Many contractors make the dangerous choice to cut this corner Wire Gauge and Type • The gauge of the wire can seriously affect production • Smaller wire = more voltage drop • We size wire for less than 2% drop Safety Equipment

  16. otherFactors affectingpricing & roi • Roof pitch • Steep roofs add greatly to labor hours • System size • Economy of scale • Roof height • Adds to labor hours • Outdated wiring • Needs upgrade per code • Eligible for 30% ITC • Distance to panel • Under 50’ assumed in packages • Metal roofs • Much simpler • Actually DECREASE COST Conduit runs in the attic or under the eaves and equipment mounted inside (such as inverter) are optional aesthetic customer options that will increase cost.

  17. Factors affectingproduction • Orientation • 180° (true south) is ideal • East- or west-facing arrays about 20% less • No north! • Tilt Angle • 32° ideal in Seattle area • Better to mount flush to rooffor wind loads • Shading and soiling can severely affect output! • NWE&S will not sell a system that will be severely shaded • We assume 3% losses from soiling throughout the year • Regular cleaning of modules is recommended

  18. The process • Initial contact • Usually a phone conversation between you and NWE&S • Set a date for in-person consultation and site assessment • Google Earth • Sometimes surprisingly accurate • Sometimes NOT—why we always want a site assessment • In-person consultation and site assessment • Customer goals and preferences • Review sample proposal for familiarity • Rooftop measurements and Suneye readings • CONFIDENCE IN NUMBERS • Proposal and Contract • Usually sent via email • Deposit gets materials on order • Sometimes up to 6-8 weeks for delivery of materials; sometimes in stock • 65% deposit for in-State materials; 50% for out-of-State materials • Paperwork and Permits • Utility, City/County or L&I, DOR, IRS • Construction and Inspection • Office manager schedules work • Inspection upon completion

  19. The site assessment:Confidence innumbers An accurate bid cannot usually be done remotely • Solmetric Suneye • Fisheye lens takes shot of skyline(s) • Automatically calculates solar access • Used for de-rating PVSyst report • PV Syst—University of Geneva • Required by largest utilities (not in WA) • Comprehensive, based on TMY data • DC/AC losses, module tolerances, mismatches, soiling, etc. • Hourly, daily, monthly data available • Not PVWatts (free online) • Accurate roof measurements • Pitch • Obstructions • Roof structure • Roof quality

  20. The proposal BEWARE HIDDEN COSTS! • One-page summary with all relevant figures • 3 options, based on YOUR input • In-State and out-of-State options • Scalable options to fit your budget • More options available if you don’t like what you see • Single, lump-sum cost--We will beat any competitor’s bid • Industry-standard price per watt • Easy apples-to-apples comparison • All permits and other incidental costs included • Only option is $500 ECU for micro-inverter systems

  21. The proposal THE PRODUCT OF THE SITE ASSESSMENT AND CONSULTATION • Options shown clearly on roof • Summary of each option • Cash flow chart for each option • Cash flow graph for non-numbers people • Break-even point clearly shown

  22. The CONTRACT Highlights from 9 Pages of Legalese • 5-year workmanship warranty from Northwest Electric & Solar • Lump sum price and payment terms clearly stated in dollars and cents • Process for changes • Notice to proceed (from you) and 14-day schedule • * Large projects may need more time • NWE&S insurance is $1,000,000 liability / $2,000,000 aggregate • License information • Bond information • Mechanic’s lien

  23. Permitsand paperwork • Electrical Permit • Always required • Through City, County or State Department of Labor & Industries • Slightly different requirements in different areas • Cost varies • Code compliance varies • Always paid for and acquired by NWE&S • Building Permit • Not usually required • System size in kW • Total system weight • Other structures • Non-flush mount • Through your local building and planning authority—City or County • Different requirements in different areas • Fire aisles • Setbacks • System Certification • Utility “new” service • Production meter • Utility Certification • Department of Revenue Certification • Sales Tax Exemption • IRS Form 5695 • Annual Production Incentive Form • NWE&S fills out all for your signature

  24. Constructionand schedule Once you’ve signed a contract…. • Lead Times • Modules are the driving factor—usually 6-8 weeks • Inverters and racking are < 3 weeks • Materials storage on site? • Safety • Roof anchors • Permanent? • Dangerous Conditions • We will “call the job” for the day if necessary • Construction • Might need access to the inside • 100% safe to leave a key with us • There will always be a journeyman electrician on site • Typical installation is 2-3 men, 3 days • Scheduled through our office manager, Jeramy

  25. THE CONSTRUCTIONPROCESS Getting Your System Up and Running • Install anchors • Directly into joists or purlins • Waterproofed with silicon gel • Might need attic access • Install the rest • Inverter(s) • Disconnect(s) • Conduit and wire • New meter box • Install rails • Rails run perpendicular to joists/purlins • 2 rails per row of modules • Typically anchored every 48” • Test the system • Test all DC circuits • Test input/output at the inverter • “Fly glass” • Modules clamped to rails with top clips (end and mid-clamps) • Usually less than 3 lbs/ft² • Final inspection • Once approved, the utility will install the new production meter and you’re making clean energy!

  26. Maintenanceetcetera Your System and Your Pocketbook • The only regular maintenance we recommend is module cleaning • Remember soiling is now the #1 factor in production • Clean 3-4 times/year or as needed • Keep modules free from leaves, bird droppings and other obstructions • Will naturally shed snow • Pay special attention to aperture area and corners • Keep an eye on energy production through your inverter or monitoring unit • Compare to production meter regularly NWE&S will provide you with a customer care manual with all maintenance, warranty and paperwork Remember that production is largely dependent on the weather and the season. If you think there is an issue with your array, please contact NWE&S immediately to troubleshoot. Remember to file your IRS form 5695 and your annual State production incentive paperwork with the utility.

  27. Choosing NWE&S A Local, Family-oriented, Trustworthy Company • We’re building NWE&S on customer service • Most of our business comes from repeat/referral customers • Customer referral program gives $100/kW for leads that turn into jobs • Solar installer of choice for many General Contractors and Green Builders • Angie’s List Super Service Award • Better Business Bureau A Rating • Perfect 5-star rating on Yelp • We care about Washington, our Country and our World • We’re from Kirkland, Edmonds, Tonasket, etc. • Active in local trade groups • Solar Washington • Master Builders Association • Husky and Cougar-friendly • LITERALLY, A FAMILY COMPANY • You’re making a 25+ year investment. You want a company that will be here for you in 2038 and beyond!

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