This class helps PV dealers, installers, and salespeople make the best and most accurate financial case to their customers to help them make more sales and open more eyes to the value of solar systems.
Andy Black provides an overview of solar electric (PV) system costs and approximate savings for residential systems. He provides detailed information on state & federal incentives available and how to apply and use them. These include rebates, performance based incentives, and tax credits. He will explain the choices for electric rate structures and the advantages of each relative to building load profile, system design, and site specifics (shading, orientation, etc). Andy will discuss the various methods of performing financial analyses in conjunction with the savings realized. Financial analysis methods presented will include Simple Payback, Total Lifecycle Payback, Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Cash Flow analysis, and Appraisal Resale Value. Interactive examples of residential sites will be provided, including discussion of the salient differences and advantages of each method. The assumptions and variables that affect each analysis will also be presented including inflation, maintenance expenses, and interest rates.
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Economics of Solar: Western Focus
1. Andy Black
“Economics of Solar: Solar Financial Analyst
(408) 428 0808x1
Making The Financial Case” andy@ongrid.net
Check-in (15 minutes before listed start time)
Introductions
Solar Financial Payback - Overview of the Variables
Economics
Break, Q & A, Networking
Overview of the Variables (con’t)
Rate Structures
~12:00 Lunch, Q & A, Networking (~45 minutes)
Overview of the Variables (con’t)
System Performance
Financial Analysis Methods
Break, Q & A, Networking
Tools: Solar Financial Analysis, Sales, and Other Tools
~4:30 Formal Conclusion, Break, Q & A
Interactive Examples (for those who wish to stay)
Using the OnGrid Solar Financial Tool
Diligence:
Heights by great men reached and kept were not obtained by sudden flight, but
they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
2. Andy Black
“Economics of Solar: Solar Financial Analyst
(408) 428 0808x1
Making The Financial Case” andy@ongrid.net
Abstract:
This class helps PV dealers, installers, and salespeople make the best and most accurate financial case to
their customers to help them make more sales and open more eyes to the value of solar systems.
Andy Black will provide an overview of solar electric (PV) system costs and approximate savings for
residential systems. He will provide detailed information on state & federal incentives available and
how to apply and use them. These include rebates, performance based incentives, and tax credits. He
will explain the choices for electric rate structures and the advantages of each relative to building load
profile, system design, and site specifics (shading, orientation, etc). Andy will discuss the various
methods of performing financial analyses in conjunction with the savings realized. Financial analysis
methods presented will include Simple Payback, Total Lifecycle Payback, Internal Rate of Return
(IRR), Cash Flow analysis, and Appraisal Resale Value. Interactive examples of residential sites will be
provided, including discussion of the salient differences and advantages of each method. The
assumptions and variables that affect each analysis will also be presented including inflation,
maintenance expenses, and interest rates.
An overview of the various tools available on the market for assisting the dealer, installer or salesperson
in making the case and the sale to a customer will conclude with an in depth look at the OnGrid Tool
that Andy created for use by the industry. If time allows, group exercises using OnGrid will be available
to try cases and see how a powerful presentation can be created.
All students will receive a copy of the demo version of the OnGrid Tool (licensing agreement will be
required). Focused on residential, serves as a prerequisite for “Commercial Solar Economics &
Financing with PPAs and Leases.”
Biography:
Andy Black is a Solar Financial Analyst and the owner of OnGrid Solar. OnGrid Solar provides
financial analysis and sales education & software to solar installers to help them make a strong sales
case for solar electricity to their customers. Andy has more than a dozen years of design, consulting,
teaching, sales, and research experience in solar. He specializes in demonstrating the financial payback
of solar electricity systems. He is a former NABCEP certified solar installer.
Andy Black is a recent member of the Board of Directors of the American Solar Energy Society and
served as Chapters Representative. He is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Northern
California Solar Energy Association.
Andy’s formal education includes a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from Penn State University, a
Master’s in Electrical Engineering from University of Southern California, and a Marketing Certificate
at the University of California. His training in solar electricity includes Solar Energy International’s
intensive photovoltaic coursework and more than a dozen specialty courses in solar electric and related
fields. He presents regularly on the financial analysis of solar electricity to audiences nationwide.
Andy is also the groundskeeper and servant for a cat at his home in San Jose, CA.
Contact Info: Andy Black, CEO
OnGrid Solar
4175 Renaissance Dr #4, San Jose, CA 95134
(408) 428 0808x1 andy@ongrid.net www.ongrid.net