With solar photovoltaic (PV) prices falling rapidly and a 30 percent federal tax credit scheduled to diminish in 2020, right now might be a good time to consider installing a solar energy system on your home or business.
The Cook County Local Energy Project (CCLEP) wants to make that decision easier by presenting a series of free, open to the public, solar PV workshops throughout Cook County in late March and April.
These workshops will cover the basics of solar PV energy systems as well as provide details about the Cook County REAL SOLAR DEAL — a solar “group buy” program offered by CCLEP in partnership with REAL Solar.
Parameters for Participation:
Real Solar is a subsidiary of the nonprofit Rural Renewable Energy Alliance (RREAL) located in Backus, Minn.
The idea of a “group-buy” is to pool several solar PV projects together so that savings can be realized through bulk purchasing and efficiencies in site assessment and installation processes. The program will be implemented in coordination with Arrowhead Electric Cooperative, and the Grand Marais Public Utilities Commission.
CCLEP and its partners will hold four free and open to the public REAL SOLAR DEAL workshops throughout Cook County over the weekend of March 30-31.
On Saturday March 30th the group buy will be presented to the Business Energy Workshop, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and then again from 4-6 p.m. in the Cook County Community Center for residential installations.
On Sunday March 31st two more workshops will be held. The first one is at the Hovland Town Hall from 12 to 2 p.m. The second will be in the Birch Grove Community Center from 4 to 6 p.m.
Additional workshops to be held in April.
The goal is to sign up 10-15 solar projects by May 15, with installation to begin in early fall. The more people that sign up, the greater the potential savings.
1. Residential or similar small commercial sites.
2. Pitched roofs preferred; flat roofs and ground mounts subject to additional costs.
3. Installation site is suitable per assessment by RREAL, $100 assessment contribution. (Participation in the site assessment does not oblige one to purchase a system.)
4. Geographically limited to Cook County. Deadline for client participation is to be under solar contract with RREAL by May 15, 2019.
5. Installer will use similar solar components (modules, inverters, racking) and design to reduce costs. These choices are at the discretion of the installer with the approval of the client(s).
6. Scheduling of site visits and installation will also be at the discretion of the installer, again with the approval of the residential or business owner, in order to achieve reductions in travel costs. Participants will be informed of tentative install schedules by late July 2019, and solar installs will occur after Sept.1, 2019.
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