Solar/Photovoltaic System Referendum September 29, 2009 for the Northfield Community School

1. Solar/Photovoltaic System Referendum September 29, 2009 for the Northfield Community School September 16, 2009

2. Renewable Energy The global warming issue is no longer under debate & with the rising cost of fossil fuels, Renewable Energy must become an option! Beyond the raw cost of fuel there are the Hidden Costs from our dependence on Fossil Fuels. Some of these costs are: • Health Related Costs • Water and Land Pollution • Thermal Pollution  • Macro Economic Costs • National Security • Air Pollution

3. Environmental Benefits 30-year Lifetime Emission Savings 50 kW System

4. Basic Principal of Solar Power Solar cells convert sunlight to electricity without any moving parts, noise, pollution, radiation, or maintenance. The conversion of sunlight into electricity is made possible with the special properties of semi conducting materials. September 16, 2009

5. How Solar Cells Work Photons from the sun shine on the solar cell. The photons actually penetrate into the silicon and randomly strike silicon atoms. When a photon strikes a silicon atom, it ionizes the atom, giving all its energy to an outer electron and allowing the outer electron to break free of the atom. The photon disappears from the universe and all its energy is now in the form of direct electron movement. September 16, 2009

6. Free Electricity From Sun The DC current is taken from the solar cells and manipulated into an AC waveform through an inverter. Inverters sense the voltage and frequency of the AC systems that they are attached to and begin to “push” current against that system. Inverters come in many shapes and sizes for all types of environments.

7. A complete system includes: Solar Panels, Inverters, Mounting System, Conduit System, Combiner Boxes, DC Isolation Disconnects and the Connection to the Buildings AC Service. System Integration

8. Balance of System Inverters: Converts DC Current into AC Current so it can be inter-mixed with the AC Current coming from the Electrical Utilities

9. Balance of System Mounting Systems: • Ballasted Mount • Ground Mount • Rack Mount • Laminates • Rails • Standing Seam Mounts • Single and Dual Axis Trackers

10. Net-Metering State regulations that permits the sale of our unused production of Solar Electricity to the utility for the same price per KWH as we purchase it. Over the course of the year we cannot produce and sell more electricity than we consume. Net-Metering

11. Installation Considerations Orientation • Does the Array Point Southward? The more our Array point Southward the more energy production we will realize

12. Angle of Inclination The angle that a Solar Module is positioned above the Horizon. What is the Tilt of the Panels in the Array? The ideal Tilt for our Array is equivalent to our Latitude Location. The Closer to the Latitude Tilt we get the more Electricity we will Generate. Installation Considerations

13. Installation Considerations Angle of Inclination

14. Installation Considerations Shadowing • A Shadow on our Solar Panels will Significantly reduce the Electricity the Array will Produce.

15. NJ’s Clean Energy Program New Program – Renewable Energy Incentive Program (REIP) Rebates • Created by Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act (EDECA) • Established Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) • 20% Renewable Energy by 2020 • 2% Solar Energy by 2020 • $1 Per Watt up to 50,000 Watts • System size may not exceed 50KW

16. Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) One Certificate given per MWH of Solar Electricity Produced Certificates Traded on the Open Market SRECs ultimately are purchased by the Power Generators (LSE) to offset their requirement to produce Clean Energy NJ’s Clean Energy Program

17. Solar Solutions Margate Board of Education 518 KW on three schools

18. Solar Solutions Toms River Board of Education – High School North September 16, 2009

19. PHOTOVOLTAIC PROJECT PLANNING Solar Facts Approx. $7/Watt average system cost 25- 35 years expected panel life span (25 year warranty) $50 - $60/SF average construction cost 1,050 average solar hours in NJ Educational Aspect Real time system monitoring via lobby kiosk and integration with computer network • Site survey/solar orientation, obstructions, shading, etc. • Roof analysis- condition, type, remaining years of life, warranties (Consider roof replacement if necessary) • Structural analysis • Electrical service location and evaluation • Determine potential PV system size and area • Evaluate project financing options including Debt Service (if debt is incurred), Renewable Energy Incentive Program (REIP) Rebates (for systems up to 50kw) and Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SREC’s) • Determine expected utility bill savings via ‘net metering’ • Calculate expected simple payback period and revenue stream

20. Northfield Community School

21. Northfield Community School

22. Photovoltaic Project Cost Work Sheet 50 KW maximum allowed system size to obtain rebate District Aid Percentage (DAP) – 33.34% Minimum Debt Sources Aid Level – 40%

23. Photovoltaic Project Cost Work Sheet $50,000 Simple payback period 7.73 years Total revenue to year 15 after payback period $217,625

24. NJDOE PROCEDURES/PROCESS • PV Projects are eligible for NJDOE Debt Service Aid but are not eligible for ROD Grants • A bond issue for a PV project may result in no tax increase- • The cost of a roof replacement project may be able to be fully or partially offset by the PV project revenue stream- • Consult with your financial adviser in regards to the above. • Project initiation to obtain state project number, verification of district’s district Aid Percentage (DAP)- which may have changed in July of 2008 • Completion of project application package and forms • Board resolution using standard draft resolution language template • LRFP amendment request if required • Board meeting to pass resolutions to submit project and amend LRFP (if necessary) • Submission of completed application to NJDOE timed for project completion (i.e.- referendum, summer work, etc.) • NJDOE issuance of Preliminary Eligible Cost (PEC) letter- project schematic approval • Board accepts PEC letter • Board forwards bond referendum question to County Board of Elections • NJDOE issues Final Eligible Cost (FEC) letter

25. PROJECT TIME LINE Referenda Dates January (4th Tuesday) March (2nd Tuesday) April (3rd Tuesday- with annual budget vote) September (Last Tuesday) December (2nd Tuesday) REIP Rebate Receipt upon successful completion and certification/inspection of system SREC’s Receipt upon the sale of first megawatt of power and each megawatt thereafter • Referendum September 29, 2009 • Complete Construction Documents & November 23, 2009 Submit to Local Construction Official • Advertise for Bids December 14, 2009 • Receive Bids January 9, 2010 • Award Contracts January 14, 2010 • Contracts, Shop Drawing Preparation January 27, 2010 & Material Acquisitions through June 16, 2010 • NJBPU/Office of Clean Energy June 9, 2010 REIP Rebate Extension • Construction Begins June 18, 2010 • Substantial Completion August 12, 2010 • Final Completion & Spec. Initiation September 2, 2010

26. Career Paths Financial: Accounting, Tax Law, Investment Banking, Venture Capital Scientific: Research, Product Development Engineering: Electrical, Mechanical, Structural, Solar, CAD Design Sales and Design Trades: Electricians, Carpenters, Roofers, Laborers Wide Range of Career Ops

29. Thank You! Any Questions?