Minutes 05-05-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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— Research report from UNC School of Government — Meeting with County residents — Upcoming research report from UNC • Roof-mounted Solar Arrays Solar Initiatives - Guiding Principles • Roof integrity — New or recently replaced — Adequate structural capacity • Southern exposure or flat • Avoid shade (present and future) • Start small but visible • Incentivize investment Initial Assessment & Rogers Road Community Solar Proposed • Approached by interested group • In parallel with this analysis, a team of interested residents and solar experts approached Orange County about the feasibility of installing solar panels on the Rogers Road Community Center for the benefit of the Rogers-Eubanks community. David Caldwell, RENA Ty Fenton, UnitedSolarinitiative.org, nonprofit bringing solar projects to low-income communities around the world Rob Pinder, NextClimate.org, nonprofit helping community solar projects in Orange County Laura Wenzel, private citizen in neighboring community Ed Witkin, Owner of Carrboro Solar Works, LL. Also works with UnitedSolarinitiative.org Brennan Bouma said he had been working closely with this group to assess the feasibility and benefits of this project as a potential pilot solar project for Orange County. He said the Rogers Road Community Center (RRCC) seemed to fit the County's list of characteristics, and staff worked with the RRCC team to conduct an initial solar energy assessment on this building. He said staff has employed the "PVWatts" calculator from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to assist in modeling, sizing, and prioritizing solar photovoltaic infrastructure investments (http://Pvwatts.nrel.govlpvwatts.php). Rob Pender, of www.NextClimate.org, said the intent of the "Solarize" campaigns is to lower the cost of rooftop photovoltaic systems through pulling together interested households and commercial users into a group-purchasing deal. NextClimate, a local 501 c (3) non-profit, organizes the four Solarize campaigns that are active in Orange County (Orange County, Hillsborough, Chapel Hill, and Carrboro). Rob Pender said in 2014, NextClimate brought together two solar installation companies (Yes! Solar Solutions and Southern Energy Management), and two financing organizations (Admiral's Bank and Self Help Credit Union) with the mission to bring affordable solar power to the people of Orange County, Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough. He said their efforts resulted in new solar installations on 90 homes and small businesses across Orange County in 2014. He said in 2015, NextClimate is expanding its reach to create Solarize Research Triangle, bringing solar investment and benefits to RTP workplaces.