Make Mine Solar H20

Let’s Make Solar Hot Water More Affordable!!

Twin Citians can now participate in a neighborhood-sponsored bulk purchase program to reduce the cost of solar water heaters. The goal of the program is to get 1000 systems installed in the Twin Cities by the end of 2012. This will save 1.6 million cubic feet of natural gas per year when fully implemented!! Typical hot water usage increases in the summer (more laundry, more showers) and solar energy is a good match for this increased usage.

What is the program?

We are setting up a “bulk-purchase program” to bring down the cost of a solar domestic water heater. It’s the economics of scale at work: by aggregating at least 50 systems into one purchase, the manufacturers’ volume discounts and increased labor efficiency will reduce the cost to the homeowner by about $1,500 in the current market for solar. That’s equivalent to having another rebate!

Who is eligible to participate?

The program is open to all who wish to participate: owners of residences, businesses, multifamily buildings - all stand to benefit from this program. Churches, schools and non-profit organizations may participate as well. The more, the merrier!! In fact, we’re hoping that this program catches fire in cities and neighborhoods all over the Twin Cities, to really make a dent in our collective natural gas consumption. If you live outside of Minneapolis or St Paul please visit the CERTS Solar Thermal Program for more information on Solar Hot Water and Solar Hot Air Information.

What are the costs, the benefits and the incentives available?

For an example of the impact of the program: a family of four will find that a two-collector solar water heater (about 60 square feet) will provide for about 2/3 of their yearly hot water needs, and this system would cost about $9,000 if it were purchased individually. By participating in the bulk-purchase program you will receive up to 20% discount in discounted equipment costs. Your final pricing will be given to you when you sign your contract with your installer after your site and usage have been examined.

You may also qualify for the following incentives. Please see the www.dsireusa.org website for more details.

30% Federal Tax Credit
State of MN Rebate

A commercial operation, such as a restaurant, will experience an even more dramatic reduction in cost, with up to 80% of the original cost shaved down by the bulk-purchase and incentives for businesses. These numbers can vary depending on the difficulty on the install.

Financing options include:

A Loan through your neighborhood organization

How are contractors chosen for the program?

An approved list of installers will be made available to persons who wish to purchase a solar water heater. In order to be listed, installers must have a current license in St. Paul and/or Minneapolis for general, plumbing, or mechanical contracting & will have successfully completed a four-day training course, participating thereafter in follow-up classes.

First Steps?

Fill out the form below to show your interest. We will have Solar Site Assessment students at Century College do a brief review of your home on Google Earth. If your site looks viable, you can sign up for a solar site assessment for the very low price of $60. Site Assessments are usually around $250.

Develop a Solar Sub Committee within your neighborhood group or have a “Solar Champion” from your neighborhood. Then get together with other neighborhood leaders to help develop this program coordinated by Laura Cina and Ralph Jacobson from MN Renewable Energy Society.

**Interested in looking into owning a solar hot water system by participating in this program?**

Please click here to fill out our form.

Where can I find out more?

For the FAQ Sheet, please click here

For the Paper detailing the SE Como SHW Bulk Program, please click here

Any questions, please contact:

Laura Cina, Managing Director of the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society at 612-963-4757 or laurac@mnrenewables.org

This project was made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Minnesota Department of Commerce through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)

To fill out the Interest Form, please click here