SOLAR GARDENS DEVELOPMENT IN

COLORADO

Joy Hughes – Solar Gardens Institute

Sprouting up Everywhere

Maps showing community solar interest

Saguache Solar Garden – 200 kW

A private / public partnership with the Town of Saguache on a former dump site. Subscribers include town buildings, library district, low income.

Charles Tidd,Solar Gardener

Jeffco Open Garden – 500 kW

A privately owned former mine site, divided into parcels of approx. 1 acre. SPH is issuing a Solicitation of Interest for at least four solar gardens on the site.

Rachel Emmer,Solar Gardener

Cost Control

Minimize fixed cost per solar garden- KISS principle, no bells and whistles

Ownership models – competitive process

Minimal software needed for XCEL projects

Revenue sharing and contingency pay

The Big Test

CU Denver business students to conduct a test of solar gardens business models

Considering models from all SGI members

Analyze costs and benefits to subscribers, hosts, and investors / sponsors

Model for Smaller Arrays: University Park, Maryland LLC

Legal documents available FREE

Limited to 35 members – no advertising

Good for churches, HOAs, neighborhood associations

Can be used to power common buildings or as a solar garden

Low and Mid Income Subscribers A Colorado Cooperative

Small investors provide “sponsorship” for subscribers in any solar garden (including Clean Energy Collective and others)

Might be used as subscriber organization - third party finance needed ( C3PO ) for tax purposes

Broad securities exemption under Colorado law

Call for Projects!

Solar gardens or community supported arrays of any size

Consulting from the SPH “Dream Team”

Least cost / best fit ownership models – low overhead

Use your own equipment / finance / installers – or use ours

SGI’s Mission

To educate the public about community solar energy.

To promote community solar energy legislation at the federal level and in each state

To assist local organizations in organizing, developing, and managing community-owned solar energy projects everywhere.

To make affordable solar energy available for all humanity

Solar Gardener Program

A solar gardener is a grassroots community organizer and project manager

Receive training, tools, mutual aid

Participate in Governance

“Sweat Equity” – paid in panels

Original Gardener Gary Nystedt – Ellensburg Community Renewable Park

Legislation in Play

SB 843 – California “solar gardens”

Template law for Maryland and more

SUN Act – Tax credit for subscribers

Restoration of PACE

A Constitutional Convention for SGI *

* (Like this, but more diverse)

• A mix of industry, hosts, subscribers

• Elect board and officers for SGI

• Adopt mission, founding principles, initial goals

• Establish consent based “dynamic governance”

Member Benefits

SGI press releases / communications

Present at colloquia / other events

Logo on SGI website

Solar gardener program

Subscriber connection

Participate in governance

Research and legislative analysis

SGI Membership

Corporate - 500 kW+ $1000

Integrator - 100-500 kW $500

Community – under 100 kW $250

Nonprofit $100

Individual $25