SB843 is a bill in the California legislature that will create a program for community owned "solar gardens", to provide solar power for those with shaded roofs, renters, and historic districts. I was to present this in Oakland on Sept. 7, 2011, but was unable to display it due to technical difficulties.

1. Joy Hughes – Solar Gardens Institute

2. Sprouting up Everywhere
Maps showing community solar interest

3. 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

4. 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

5. Cost Control
ž Minimize fixed cost per solar garden- KISS
principle, no bells and whistles
ž Ownership models – competitive process
ž Minimal software needed for XCEL projects
ž Revenue sharing and contingency pay

6. The Big Test
ž CUDenver business students to conduct a
test of solar gardens business models
ž Considering models from all SGI members
ž Analyzecosts and benefits to subscribers,
hosts, and investors / sponsors

7. Model for Smaller Arrays:
University Park, Maryland LLC
ž Legal documents available
FREE
ž Limited
to 35 members –
no advertising
ž Good
for churches, HOAs,
neighborhood associations
ž Canbe used to power
common buildings or as a
solar garden

8. Low and Mid Income Subscribers
A Colorado Cooperative
ž Small investors provide “sponsorship” for
subscribers in any solar garden (including
Clean Energy Collective and others)
ž Might be used as subscriber organization - third
party finance needed ( C3PO ) for tax purposes
ž Broad securities exemption under Colorado law

9. Call for Projects!
ž Solar
gardens or community supported arrays
of any size
ž Consulting from the SPH “Dream Team”
ž Least
cost / best fit ownership models
– low overhead
ž Useyour own equipment / finance / installers –
or use ours

10. SGI’s Mission
ž To educate the public about community solar
energy.
ž To promote community solar energy legislation at
the federal level and in each state
ž To assist local organizations in organizing,
developing, and managing community-owned
solar energy projects everywhere.
ž To make affordable solar energy available for all
humanity

11. Solar Gardener
Program
Original Gardener Gary Nystedt –
Ellensburg Community Renewable Park
ž A solar gardener is a grassroots community
organizer and project manager
ž Receive training, tools, mutual aid
ž Participate in Governance
ž “Sweat Equity” – paid in panels

12. Legislation in Play
ž SB 843 – California “solar gardens”
ž Template law for Maryland and more
ž SUN Act – Tax credit for subscribers
ž Restoration of PACE

13. 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”

14. Member Benefits
ž SGI press releases / communications
ž Present at colloquia / other events
ž Logo on SGI website
ž Solar gardener program
ž Subscriber connection
ž Participate in governance
ž Research and legislative analysis

15. SGI Membership
ž Corporate - 500 kW+ $1000
ž Integrator - 100-500 kW $500
ž Community – under 100 kW $250
ž Nonprofit $100
ž Individual $25