Take the Community Solar Survey!

Who is Vashon Community Solar?
Vashon Community Solar (VCS) is a local laboratory project of the Backbone Campaign and an extension of its Coal Free Zone project created in collaboration with Sustainable Vashon. VCS will directly fund solar projects and sustain¬ability related community organizing work on Vashon..

What is a Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System?
Solar electricity is the fastest growing power-generation technology in the world because it offers a clean energy alternative to fossil fuels. Solar PV systems turn sunlight into electricity using semiconductor material—most notably silicon—that exhibit the “photovoltaic effect.”

Solar arrays are made up of individual solar modules, which in turn are composed of solar cells. There are no moving parts, which is why solar modules can last 40 years or more without repair. Silicon, the second most common element on Earth, is derived from sand. Compared to coal and petroleum, crystalline silicon modules used on VCS projects have low embodied energy and few manufacturing byproducts. Moreover, solar modules are incredibly modular; they can be mounted on the ground, roofs, even walls.

Does the Pacific Northwest Have Good Solar Potential?
This is a very common question, and the answer is “yes,” the Pacific Northwest gets enough sun for grid-connected PV systems to make it a feasible energy investment. Western Washington receives as much solar energy annually as the U.S. average, as much over the course of the year as southern France, and more than Germany, the current leader in solar electric installations. Under cloudy conditions, it is true that PV produces only 5 to 30 percent of its maximum output. However, because solar PV become less efficient when hot, our cooler climate and our long summer days help make up for the cloudy days.

What is Community Solar?
Community solar is a grid-tied solar photovoltaic (PV) array owned by community members that provides power that can be sold or given to a public facility. Because of generous incentives from Washington State, such a system now has the potential to give the owners an accelerated return on investment while establishing a long term energy source for a public facility, lowering or even eliminating its energy bill.

What are Washington State Incentives for Solar?
Washington State has established production incentives for individuals, businesses, and local governments that generate electricity from solar power. The state’s utilities pay the incentives to power producers and earn a tax credit equal to the cost of those payments

The Washington State Legislature passed SB 6170 in 2009, and SB 6658 in 2010, which states that a photo-voltaic system up to 75kW can be financed, designed and installed on a public facility by individuals or a community of people. Community solar projects on public property allow PV systems that would not otherwise qualify to take advantage of applicable state incentives. These State incentives only last until 2020, so time is of the essence.

Incentives for Residential VS Community Solar:
Residential incentives are $.15/kWh for electricity produced by solar modules manufactured outside of Washington State and $.54/kWh is for electricity produced by solar modules and inverters manufactured in Wash¬ing¬ton State. This encourages increased state production capacity and local jobs.

Community Solar incentives are much more generous with $.30/kWh for electricity produced by solar modules manufactured outside of Washington State; and $1.08/ kWh for electricity produced by solar modules and inverters manufactured in Washington State. That is over 10 times the market value of the electricity!

Incentive payments occur once a year and they are capped at $5,000 per person per year.

What is Net Metering?
Any solar electricity generated that is not immediately used at the site goes into the electric grid and the electric company pays the owner of the array for the excess electricity. Meter readings by PSE record a customer’s “net” electricity use. At the end of any billing period, if overall electricity production exceeds consumption, a billing credit at current retail rates is applied to the next bill. PSE pays $.10/kWh for all net metering customers. The electricity generated by a community solar array on public property would in most circumstances be applied as credit to the public facility’s total usage.

What are Some Advantages of Community Solar Compared to Private Solar Arrays?
• Lower entry costs
• Faster payback through higher state incentives
• Solar access is maximized through optimal project location
• Community ownership
• Home or property ownership is not required
• Reduced installation costs due to economies of scale
• High visibility increases public awareness for solar energy.

How Will Community Solar Work on Vashon?
Vashon Community Solar (VCS) is a project of the Backbone Vashon Community Solar (VCS) is a project of the Backbone Campaign, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation. Each investor will be a part owner of the project in partnership with the Backbone Campaign. Investors will purchase units of the PV system (at $1000 per unit) and in return become beneficiaries of State incentive payments. All state incentives and benefits are passed through the Backbone Campaign to its members.

A manager, in this case the Backbone Campaign, works to recruit and organize the members, get state approval for the project, coordinates permits and contractors, power purchase agreements, insurance etc. The manager works in cooperation with a project administrator who distributes incentive payments and keeps the books.

Vashon Community Solar is proud to be working with island CPA Peter Lake to manage all administration and distribution of incentive payments to unit owners. Barb Rhoads-Weaver, Attorney Sustainable Law, PLLC has provided thousands of dollars of pro-bono legal work already. Our draft member agreement is likely to serve as a model for other communities as well.

Together we will help move Vashon away from fossil fuels, increase investment in solar panel production in Washington State, lower the electric bills for Vashon’s public buildings, foster public/private collaboration for renewable energy, support local union electricians, community organizers, and green investment on the Island, and strengthen a new finance model for our energy future.

What happens when incentives run out in 2020?
After the State incentives expire in 2020, ownership of the array could remain with the original unit owners, or be sold or gifted to the Public entity. Making it a gift may potentially provide one last tax benefit to pass along to unit owners.

Either way, the current generous incentives make NOW the time for this win-win-win initiative giving Vashon community members a timely return on an investment in clean renewable, locally generated electricity, lower energy bills for our public facilities, AND make a positive impact on the environment and climate for generations to come!

What Future VCS Projects Could I Participate In?
We are currently developing a community-financed community solar project proposal to be located at the King County Transfer Station on Vashon Island. Potential future sites include the Library, and other publicly owned properties.

Has Vashon Community Solar Already Completed a Project?
Yes, the Vashon High School PV array and EV charging station. Vashon Community Solar and other Vashon citizen groups secured $54,000 in grants to purchase a 3kW solar array, two electric vehicle charging stations, an electric vehicle (donated to VISD maintenance department by a Vashon resident), and a real-time educational display at Vashon High School and Chautauqua Elementary School. The inauguration celebration for these systems was on Earth Day, April 22, 2011.

So Let’s Act Now!
To be part of this Solutionary effort, take our online survey at:

VashonCommunitySolar.org

Then contact the Vashon Community Solar Working Group by calling
206-408-8058
or email solar@backbonecampaign.org.