AQUIDNECK ISLAND — Residents can learn more about the advantages of solar installations on their homes and businesses by attending a community workshop this Thursday, Nov. 12.
Solarize Aquidneck is hosting the meeting, Solar 101, at 7 p.m. at the Community College of Rhode Island, Newport Campus. Those who can’t attend the workshop can sign up for more information at www.solarizeRI.com/aquidneck.
The workshop is the first of several to be hosted by Solarize Aquidneck, a partnership between the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission, the towns of Middletown and Portsmouth, the City of Newport, the Office of Energy Resources, Commerce R.I. and the nonprofit marketing firm SmartPower.
The Portsmouth Town Council voted 6-1 Monday night to support a resolution in support of the program.
The initiative encourages residents to install solar energy systems by providing deep discounts and financial incentives. Solarize Aquidneck says homeowners can greatly reduce their utility bills while producing clean, green and local electricity for Aquidneck Island. (You can read more about the program here.
Solarize Aquidneck began signing up residents and business owners for the program on Oct. 26, and the program is open for registration through Feb. 15. According to the partnership, the program works by combining the power of group purchasing with federal and state incentives and a federal tax credit. As a result, program participants can install solar systems at savings up to half the market rate, with a typical system payback period of about six to seven years.
“It’s a group opportunity for the three communities on Aquidneck Island to get solar panels on their roofs at a discounted price,” Gary Gump, Portsmouth’s “solar ambassador” for Solarize Aquidneck, told the council Monday night.
Not everyone was enamored of the program. Council member Joseph Robicheau voted against the resolution, saying the program is subsidized by taxpayers.
Another councilor, Elizabeth Pedro, said part of the resolution states that the town “will consider adoption of an ordinance to exempt renewable energy systems from property taxes …”
“So that is going to cost Portsmouth,” said Ms. Pedro.
Council Vice President James Seveney replied that the resolution’s language doesn’t obligate the town to do anything.
Local resident Larry Fitzmorris also objected to the resolution, saying the council shouldn’t support programs unless they pay for themselves. ‘If we endorse everything … we’re going to add to the electric bill, which is already one of the highest in the country,” Mr. Fitzmorris said.
Council President Keith Hamilton said the program simply gives homeowners more options. “I think if people of Portsmouth want to put solar panels on their house they should have the opportunity to do so as cheaply as possible,” he said.
The Solarize Aquidneck team selected three solar installers for the island through a competitive bidding process, and assigned each installer the lead marketing role in one community. The selected installers are Direct Energy Solar for Portsmouth, RGS Energy for Middletown, and Newport Solar for Newport.
Homeowners in any Aquidneck community may request a quote and choose to work with any of the three installers; however they will receive direct marketing materials only from the lead installer for their town.
Solarize Aquidneck is based on a model that has been successful in more than 100 communities in Massachusetts, Vermont and Connecticut, according to the partnership.
“It is designed to reduce the cost of solar, making it a smart investment for homeowners and businesses,” said Solarize Aquidneck in a prepared statement. “Solarize relies on four key components to reduce installation costs: competitive bidding among installers; a tiered pricing system which reduces costs for all as more people sign contracts; a community-based marketing approach which includes education and uniform pricing; and a finite program period to encourage participation.”
At Thursday’s event, residents will meet the selected installers and learn about the group purchasing discounts, solar equipment options, financial incentives and returns. Residents will have a chance to ask questions, and to sign up for free quotes on installation. Light refreshments will be provided.
Similar workshops will be held in each of the three Island communities over the next several months. Dates will be posted on AIPC’s website, www.aquidneckplanning.org.
For more information about the Solarize Aquidneck program or to request a free quotation, call the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission at 401/845-9299 or visit www.solarizeRI.com/aquidneck.
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