North East Arizona

Million Solar Roofs

Project Summary

North East Arizona Million Solar Roofs Initiative has one overriding goal:  be instrumental in the installation of 500 solar systems on homes and buildings in the counties of Apache, Navajo, Coconino and Yavapai by the year 2010

The lack of affordable solar systems and the lack of adequate financing options are now the primary targets.  Most all of our efforts will be focused on correcting these shortcomings.  We must do what we can at creating affordable systems and providing adequate financing options.  Everything else comes more easily as a result of getting the first two goals accomplished.

We believe that our approach to being a Million Solar Roof Partner can basically be described as “JUST DO IT”, don’t just keep asking others to do it.  Assist in the actual execution by putting into place programs or tasks that directly expedite the installation of solar systems

Our actions:

(1) Starting with one county (Apache) “Off-Grid”, we proposed a $3 million dollar grant for purposes of 50% rebate on cost of installations of homes without utility connections.  (We’re still waiting for their answer.)

(2) Going “On-Grid” statewide as a totally “green” rural utility cooperative is our second strategy.  We have built a “Business Plan and Proforma” and presented it to the USDA for assistance.  It is now in Washington DC.  They are deliberating the need for feasibility study and legal fees.

(3) The municipalities of North East Arizona are next with the “performance contracting” teams.  With computer software in hand, we are planning to initiate meetings with the municipalities in our area to assist in determining feasibility of upgrading all municipal buildings to clean renewable.

(4) We are initiating action on the state level by helping to establish an office for the purpose of creating a rebate program similar to California’s.

(5) With additional funding from the next round of Million Solar Roofs, we will also actively educate the public through our advertising blitz.

We feel that the people are somewhat unaware of these matters.  They don’t know how the electricity got to them or how or with what fuel it was generated.  They “know about” solar technology’s existence.  What they also know is that they cannot AFFORD it…that if they can’t do anything about it, if it can’t fit into the lifestyle they’re not going to digest any material--unless something changes to make it possible for them.  We believe that this is our job. 

We must be the catalyst to MAKE IT HAPPEN, not just talk about it.  We must educate and train, a lot of that education and training will naturally occur with the exposure of real new feasibilities, such as is encompassed in actual application for an expediting of installations of solar panels.  But a lot of it will have to come from us through our efforts using the media. 

We must show them the real truth, the data, about what is happening, energy wise, in Arizona.  The public needs to know.  No one but us has any incentive to tell them that “cheap” is not the only way.  We will tell them that ”real” economics can be found in clean, renewable!  There must be receptivity to learn, therefore there must be proper incentive, otherwise any learning is “academic” and there are few people who wish to be “academics”.

We are well on our way.  Our first task was in helping those in our immediate area with the need for electricity in their homes.  These households (found in our research) had no utility connection whatsoever.  We would help by creating a rebate program specifically designed for off-grid homes in the defined areas.  We have begun an active program specifically modeled for the resolution of this problem.  This will help them afford electricity by rebating a portion of the cost of installation of solar systems.  If this first task is completely successful (or not) it can be repeated to benefit other needy areas of Arizona.

While awaiting confirmation on this first task, we proceeded to do a study of the “On-Grid” participation of Arizona residents in their willingness to support clean, renewable electricity.  The result of this study led us to propose the creation of a new Electric Service Provider, a rural utility cooperative.  This cooperative would produce and sell only clean, renewable electricity…solar energy.  An extensive and comprehensive Business Plan and Proforma, modeled for all rural Arizona citizens is the result.  While exhausting, (it is currently approximately 96 pages in length and contains complete analysis on the current Arizona electricity generation and sales situation, the anticipated market and approach, income and sales projections and legal foundation and engineering feasibility results) we believe the labors will bare fruit and a new company “AC/DeC” or “Arizona Clean Distributed Energy Cooperative” will be born.  And while we do not anticipate thunderous success in the first few years (just 30 new members per year will insure that it always stays in the “black”) this new company will continue, year after year, growing and serving Arizona.  It will provide clean, renewable energy to more and more Arizonians by generating power from sources that are both clean and renewable and without reliance on outside sources.

We must also do everything as can in assisting all municipalities in achieving a more environmentally friendly…and cost effective method of consuming energy in its own buildings.  We will form counseling teams that will go into each municipality that indicates a willingness to research better, cleaner sustainable ways of energy utilization.  The team consists of one member of our Million Solar Roofs Partnership and one representative of an “energy service company”.  These counseling teams will introduce local governments to the concept of “performance contracting”—a function provided by governmentally approved energy service companies.  Performance contracting guarantees the municipalities that their utility bills will not increase while retrofitting their buildings with clean, renewable technology.  Our teams will guide the process and assist in obtaining successful results.

Arizona, while rich in clean renewable generation potential, remains as one of the states lagging behind in active promotion of the use of this technical achievement.  Arizona must take on the responsibility of orchestrating a brighter energy future.  We must follow the lead that California provides.  Solar technology has not yet reached affordability for our citizenry.  We must encourage our leaders to provide the proper incentives to its citizens by way of a statewide rebate system.  North East Arizona Million Solar Roofs Partnership proposes to help the Arizona Corporations Commission in actualizing a viable rebate program.

We strive to let the public know.  We have the intent to attack ignorance by an aggressive advertising campaign, while also proceeding with the tasks above.  It is very obvious that the tasks described above are ambitious.  Each one could by itself satisfy the goal of achieving 500 solar roofs by 2010.  Each one has the potential of turning our way of seeing our relationship with the earth around.  Any one of these tasks could be the catalyst in achieving a new momentum. 

We are proud and honored to be a part of all this.  Maybe we can’t do it all ourselves.  But each task appears essential.  Each task tells us that it really should have been done yesterday.  Certainly any awareness of world events would remind us of the dangers of leaving any of these tasks for tomorrow.