Is Solar Mainstream Yet? These 4 Factors May Provide an Answer

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“When I consider this checklist, we’re pretty close.”

Stephen Lacey 
December 10, 2013

Is Solar Mainstream Yet? These 4 Factors May Provide an Answer

The U.S. solar industry has come a long way in a very short timeframe. After decades of slow but steady growth, the last 2.5 years have brought an explosion of new installations in America -- with two-thirds of all total distributed solar installed since just 2011. By 2015, installations will likely double.

At only half of a percent of U.S. electricity capacity, it would be hard for anyone to call solar a “mainstream” contributor to the broader energy mix. However, there are a number of other factors to consider when looking at the impact of the technology.

Shayle Kann, GTM’s vice president of research, outlined four of those indicators at this morning’s Solar Market Insight conference. (The data can also be found in GTM Research's newest report on the U.S. market, released today.) When considering this broader range of factors, Kann concluded that the industry is “pretty close” to becoming a mainstream energy source.

Here’s Kann’s mainstream solar checklist.

1. Primary source of new electricity capacity: check

In 2012, solar was the fourth-largest source of new capacity in the U.S. This year, it is the second largest, according to the Federal Energy Regulatory Agency. 

"This year will be the first year that there will probably be more solar in the U.S. than in Germany," said Kann. "The U.S. market was slower [than Germany] and still has a long way to go, but is strong and consistently growing overall."

According to GTM Research, there was 23 times more utility-scale solar installed in the third quarter of 2013 compared to the third quarter of 2012. And although the residential solar market started from a very small base, it has grown 230 percent over the last 15 quarters. 

"That's remarkably consistent growth," said Kann. "That's the beginning of the hockey stick -- we're very bullish on residential solar."

2. Cost-competitive without fickle incentives: half check

There's no doubt that the solar industry is still dependent on state-level incentive programs, many of which foster boom-bust cycles. More than 80 percent of solar installations are concentrated in five states, not because the fundamentals there are necessarily the best, but because "those are the states that have the right incentives in place," said Kann.

"As long as that's the case, it's going to be hard to check that off the list," he said.

However, there are signs that the market is shifting. In the third quarter of 2013, more than half of all residential solar installations in California were deployed without any assistance from the state's solar initiative. That number has continually grown every quarter. 

"California is a great example of watching this happen. I do think it's the beginning of a monumental shift in solar in the U.S.," said Kann.

3. Solar taken seriously by the electricity industry: check

This year marked a noticeable change in the way utilities, regulators and analysts are talking about the impact of distributed generation on the grid. This spring, the Edison Electric Institute issued a report warning that utilities could face serious financial losses as more customers invest in solar and efficiency. The report sparked a more serious look at the "utility death spiral" that is already underway in Germany.

"If you look at the conversations that have taken place, I think it’s clear that something fundamental has changed in the collective mindset of U.S. utilities. They are taking solar seriously, and that’s both a good and bad thing for the industry," said Kann.

The "bad" could come as more utilities worried about shifting T&D costs look to end or weaken net metering laws. That is already a contentious issue in a handful of states, and the net metering battleground is expanding.

However, the "good" impact may come as utilities start buying solar companies, make venture investments in developers and directly invest in projects. That trend is also growing.

"It seems clear to me that the utility industry is taking solar seriously in the U.S. in a way that absolutely was not true two years ago," said Kann.

4. Solar must be bankable: check

In order for solar to be mainstream, it must be treated as such by investors. The increased interest in solar on Wall Street is another positive sign.

According to GTM Research, residential solar finance grew from $1.2 billion in 2012 to $2.3 billion this year. And as new forms of securitization and yield co models pop up to help leverage retail investment in projects, new sources of capital continue to flow into the industry. 

"Solar projects have to be a mainstream source of investment, and 2013 has been big year in this progression," said Kann. "We've seen some big precedent-setting events."

GTM Research projects that solar will make up about 10 percent of U.S. electricity generation by 2027 based on current growth rates. When compared to traditional forms of fossil generation, some may still not think that makes the technology "mainstream."

But when looking at the whole ecosystem of investment -- the participation of Wall Street, the attention paid by utilities and steadily improving project economics -- solar may become more influential than previously thought.

“I didn’t think solar was all that close to being there. But when I consider this checklist, we’re pretty close,” concluded Kann.

Watch all of our sessions at the Solar Market Insight conference here. Download the SEIA/GTM Research Q3 report here. 

TAGS: gtm research, solar market insight

Stephen Lacey

Our Newest Energy Saving Monolith Members!!

Congressional Reception

Thank you to everyone who attended our reception for Congressman Paul Tonko last night. He has been a close ally in this solar power revolution and has connected Monolith with the resources, that have helped make our business successful and sustainable. We were honored to host the event!

SCHENECTADY COUNTY : Sun panels to brighten district’s ledgers
School solar plan to save nearly $1M over 20 years

BY BETHANY BUMP GAZETTE REPORTER

Scotia-Glenville schools are set to save nearly $1 million over the next two decades after a recent decision by the school board to install solar panels on the district’s six buildings and bus garage.
   The district will be the fi rst in Schenectady County to make the move to solar and soon will be one of a handful in the Capital Region to harness the power of the sun. The Board of Education approved a proposal Oct. 21 to install solar
   panels from Monolith Solar, a Rensselaer company.
   ‘A LOT OF ROOF SPACE’
   “We have a lot of roof space in the school district,” said Superintendent Susan Swartz in a news release. “Why not cover them with something that will save our taxpayers money? We are doing this because it makes a lot of sense, from a fi scal and environmental point of view.”
   Monolith Solar will own and operate the panels. The school district will lease them and purchase any and all solar energy the panels produce as a result. School offi cials estimate the move will save about $43,000 in electricity costs each year and nearly $920,000 over the next 20 years.
   The most savings will come at the high school, where the district hopes to install panels above the auditorium and the new gymnasium. This would produce 207,747 kilowatt hours of energy in the first year, offsetting about $5,684 in utility costs that year and $147,080 over the next two decades. MONITORING THE SAVINGS
   Each panel will come with a meter the district can monitor online. A National Grid conversion system will allow the utility company to measure how much energy is being produced by the solar panels and how much is being provided by the power grid.
   At the middle school on Prestige Parkway, panels would be installed above the auditorium, gymnasium and second-floor classrooms near the library. These would produce 206,764 kilowatt hours of energy in the first year, offsetting about $5,657 in utility costs that year and $146,384 over 20 years.
   Each of the district’s four elementary schools would get panels, too. Glendaal Elementary School would get panels above the gym, lobby and primary wing. They would produce 196,185 kilowatt hours of energy in the fi rst year, offsetting about $5,368 the fi rst year and $138,894 over time.
   Glen-Worden Elementary School would get panels above the gym, main offi ce, cafeteria, lobby and primary wing to produce an annual 186,387 kilowatt hours of energy. In the fi rst year, this would save $4,701. Over 20 years, it would save $121,649.
   At Lincoln Elementary School, panels would be installed above the gym, cafeteria hallways, main office, library, primary and secondary wings. They would produce 156,856 kilowatt hours of energy in the first year, saving the district an estimated $4,291 in utility costs in the fi rst year and an eventual $111,050.
   Sacandaga Elementary School would get panels above its gym, cafeteria, hallways, the wing facing Wren Street and classrooms in the kindergarten wing. They would produce 206,570 kilowatt hours of energy in the fi rst year, saving about $5,652 that year and an eventual $146,247 over 20 years.
   The bus garage is also set to get panels across its entire roof. They would produce 49,738 kilowatt hours of energy in the fi rst year, offsetting about $1,361 in utility costs that year and an eventual $35,213 over 20 years.
   Monolith Solar will also seek grant funding from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to pay for part of the installation. The state sets aside about $4.8 million per month to encourage such solar installations and has an open enrollment program that provides funding for both residential and nonresidential systems. 

5 Reasons Solar Is Already Beating Fossil Fuels

Posted: 11/05/2013 2:35 pm

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It's frustrating to still hear dissenters say that renewable energy is not ready to compete with fossil fuels as a means to power our country. The solar industry is growing dramatically every year, while fossil fuels continue to be phased out. Solar is no longer the cottage industry it was decades ago. Stunning advancements in production and financing have brought solar to the playing field with coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear. And here are five reasons why solar is already winning.

1. Jobs

There are more people in the U.S. employed to create solar energy than to mine coal. The banal argument that transitioning to a clean energy economy will cost us jobs is false. Solar is growing over 10 times faster than the American economy.

In 2012, solar added 14,000 new jobs, up 36 percent from 2010 and the industry will add another 20,000 jobs this year. The fossil fuels industry cut 4,000 jobs last year. During their recent solar boom, Germany doubled their solar workforce to over 400,000. The most important point is that renewables are more job-dense than fossil fuels, so even at the same price, solar will employ more people than fossil fuels. When it comes to employing Americans, solar is winning.

2. Price

Solar panels have a seen a consistent drop in prices over the last three decades, and in the last few years that drop has been meteoric. In the last 35 years prices have gone from $77/ watt to around $.75/ watt. That makes solar 99 percent cheaper than it used to be. Since 2008, the cost of coal has risen 13 percent. In some parts of the market, solar has already reached parity with coal!

I'm sure you've heard the argument that solar is economically effective only by relying on government subsidies. Currently this may be true, but if solar prices reach Citigroup's prediction of $.25/ watt by 2020, subsidies may not even be needed.

And then there's the glaring fact that oil, gas and coal receive subsidies that dwarf those for renewables ($409 billion v. $60 billion globally).

And that's ignoring the extra costs that burning fossil fuels impose on the rest of society, that aren't paid by fossil fuel companies (called "externalities" by economists). The Harvard Medical School estimates that burning coal in the U.S. costs $500 billion in environmental and health damage. If those costs were taxed back onto coal plants, the price of coal would more than double.

And that's not even considering the whole climate change thing.

(Image Courtesy CleanTechnica)

3. Capacity

With the cost of solar dropping rapidly, installations are escalating at an exciting rate.

Earlier this year, the U.S. became the fourth country to have 10 GW of solar energy capacity, with installations increasing at a rate of 50 percent annually for the last five years. That rate is expected to increase to 80 percent this year.

⅔ of global solar capacity has been installed over the last two years. In contrast, 175 coal fired power plants in the U.S. are expected to be shut down over the next five years (over 10 percent of total capacity). This reflects the rising costs of coal and the implementation of stricter environmental regulations.

(Photo courtesy GTM Research)

4. Investment

While fossil fuels have been an omnipresent part of investment portfolios for decades, their reign may be coming to an end.

Recently a number of reports have shed light on an impending "carbon bubble". Fossil fuel companies are valued in the market based on their reserves of unburned fuel still in the ground. If international regulations are put in place to prevent atmospheric CO2 from rising above 450 ppm (the estimated cap to avoid irreversible climate change), much of the listed reserves couldn't be burned for fuel.

This means that many fossil fuel companies are overvalued as they potentially have huge unburnable reserves of fuel. British bank HSBC estimates that once stricter climate regulations are put in place, the value of fossil fuel companies may fall drastically. Already, the market cap of coal companies has dropped in value 75 percent over the last 5 years.

Firms like Mercer and WHEB are advising investors to move their investments out of coal and oil and into renewables. Major investors are already making this move. Warren Buffett has invested $5.4 billion invested in solar and has predicted the end of coal as an American power source.

New financing models like solar leases and PPAs allow more consumers to make the home-solar investment for little or no money down. Additionally, the company where I work,Mosaic, has created a new investment platform that enables you to directly invest in solar projects and earn steady returns.

5. Environmental Impact

This one should be pretty clear, but here are some interesting impacts of coal extraction and burning that you may not be aware of (sourcewatch, US EIA):

• Acid mine drainage and coal sludge pollutes rivers and streams.
• Air pollution which causes acid rain, smog, numerous respiratory illnesses and cancers, and toxins in the environment that are harmful to ecosystems.
• Coal dust from mining causes respiratory illness.
• Coal fires in abandoned mines put tons of mercury into the atmosphere every year and account for 3 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions.
• Coal combustion waste is the second largest contributor to land fills after solid waste
• Mountaintop removal for mining causes flooding, destruction of entire ecosystems, and release of greenhouse gases.
• Emission of 381,740,601 lbs of toxic air pollution annually.
• Emission of 3.3 trillion lbs of CO2 annually - an enormous contribution to global climate change.

(Photos courtesy ASU News)

Jacob Sandry is an Energy Studies scholar at Yale University and a fellow at Mosaic. He has worked in Colorado to protect endangered waterways and in Bolivia to protect animals rescued from the black market. Jacob has been to 5 continents, but originally hails from Minnesota where he developed his appreciation for the environment by camping, hiking and running. When not writing about clean energy, he's slam poet and an aspiring astronaut. Follow him on twitter @yaakovsandry.

Fly by of array

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWkKk_Nv634&feature=youtu.be

Greenport embraces solar, wind power

Posted: Friday, October 4, 2013 12:50 am

By Arthur Cusano Columbia-Greene Media | 

Members of the Greenport Town Board voted unanimously Wednesday to enter into agreements with companies offering solar and wind power for the town.

The board voted to enter into an agreement with Monolith Solar Associates LLC to install a photovoltaic system to provide solar energy for town hall. The solar panels will be installed on the ground on the property adjacent to the building, as opposed to the building itself, due to the orientation of the building not being conducive to solar panels.

Town Engineer Ray Jurkowski told those on hand there will be no cost to the town for that installation of equipment and that there will be an estimated 20 percent reduction in the rate that is charged to the town as far as supply.

The lease is for 20 years, and at the end of that lease the town can purchase the panels if it chooses to do so or choose to extend the lease for another five years. Or it could tell Monolith to remove the solar panels and end its relationship with the company, Jurkowski said.

The company is responsible for visiting the panels for maintenance once a year and remotely monitoring the panels to ensure they are working properly. The panels have a life expectancy of 20 years, according to the company.

“If the panels or any of the other equipment is damaged, it’s their responsibility to remove and replace it,” Jurkowski said. “It behooves them to make those repairs because they are gaining the most benefit as far as the sale of the electricity.”

Greenport Town Hall will be the trial location, with other locations in the town to follow if the test goes well, including the sewer and water pump stations.

The town also voted to start getting its power with Viridian Energy, a supplier of wind-generated power, to provide power for 16 electrical meters in the town, which the company estimates will save the town $80,000 a year. The town will retain National Grid as its utility company, which will distribute power and maintain the lines, but will no longer be its energy provider.

On hand for Wednesday’s meeting was Patrick Manning, a Virdian Energy associate, who gave a presentation to the board at the beginning of the meeting prior to the board vote.

“About 20 years ago, the federal government told the utilities that they can’t make energy and sell it to yourselves and then sell it to consumers, because that’s a monopoly,” Manning said. “We didn’t allow it for the cell phone companies and the phone companies and the Ma Bells, we shouldn’t be doing it with the electric companies.”

The supply side costs have since become competitive, and in New York municipalities are allowed to choose a provider as an alternative to letting the utility company use their default supplier, which Manning said can be much more expensive.

H&V Collision Centers Installs Solar Panels for Greener Energy

9/26/2013 10:14:42 AM H&V Collision Centers, the largest independently owned collision repair facility in New York's Capital Region, is continuing its efforts to improve environmental efficiency by utilizing solar energy to help power its multiple locations. The collision repair company is working with Monolith Solar to install solar panels at H&V locations in Troy, Colonie, Queensbury and Saratoga. Monolith specializes in design, sales and services of solar systems for business and residential customers. The panels installed by Monolith will convert sunlight into kilowatts to power the four H&V locations. H&V joins a growing trend of organizations, including schools, businesses, community organizations and agricultural businesses, utilizing solar power to become more environmentally friendly and reduce energy costs. “H&V Collision Centers places a priority on being a good neighbor and increasing our environmental efficiency," said Vartan Jerian Jr., H&V vice president. "The switch to solar continues those efforts and will allow H&V to rely on more environmentally friendly energy sources. We take pride in providing a high level of customer service and satisfaction, and are excited that commitment to quality will be powered by cleaner and more efficient sources of energy." In 2010, H&V became the first shop in New York to be recognized by the Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair for efforts in promoting environmental efficiency and safety. To be certified as CCAR GreenLink shops, organizations must demonstrate high standards in environmental, health and safety operations in four categories, including business operations, employee training, safety compliance and environmental management. The utilization of solar power by H&V Collision Centers follows a switch by H&V to less toxic paints and processes. The switch involved a transition from solvent-based paints to waterborne paints at H&V.

News10 in the Classroom: Looking to Solar for Savings

Posted: Sep 25, 2013 11:12 AM EDT

By Stephanie Grady - email

 

Many local school districts are dealing with tough financial times, but one district is working to cut costs by going green.

The South Colonie Central School District is hoping for sunny days ahead as it aims to become a lighthouse district for all of New York state.

"As a district we are looking at ways to control and reduce base budget costs the same way you try to control some of those costs at home," says South Colonie Superintendent John Buhner.

Buhner says the district is looking to specifically cut utility costs.  That's why he is looking to solar power for savings.  The district has submitted a proposal to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for a grant that would fund a total of 5,700 solar panels on 11 sites including school building rooftops and athletic fields.

"It would allow us to produce up to 1,700 kilowatts and save between $60,000 to $80,000 a year over a 20 year period," says Buhner.

If you do the math, the savings could climb to more than $1.5 million covering on average about 50 percent of the district's power needs.

Tim Carr is an account manager with Monolith Solar, the vendor working on South Colonie's power purchase agreement.

"We're able to install the system at absolutely no cost to the district or the district's tax payers," says Carr.

This means there is potential for more savings in the short and long term for the community as well as a chance to better use available funds for classroom needs and after school programs.

"I think it would make the state look good certainly make our community look good and maybe help us navigate some of the financial challenges we are looking at," says Buhner.

If the grant is approved, Buhner says he also wants to use this new green energy source as an educational tool for students installing monitors in every district building.

"When the kids and the public come in, they will see in real time how much power is being produced," explains Buhner. "They will also see the carbon offsets -- how many trees did this save, how many residential homes did we heat in this given day."

There is still a waiting process.  Buhner says NYSERDA should be getting back with an answer about the grant in the next few months.  If it is approved, the South Colonie Central School District hopes to begin the solar panel installation in the spring with the goal of having all 5,700 panels operational by next summer.

Monolith Solar Raffles a Golf Cart to help save the Southern Rensselaer Boys & Girls Club

 Golf Cart Raffle Video

The Southern Rensselaer Boys & Girls Club are having difficulty paying their electricity bills. This lack in funding has pushed them to the brink of shutdown. Monolith Solar is pushing to raise money to replace their dilapidated roof, in order to donate a solar electric system that would alleviate this budget strain and eliminate their electricity bill.

South Glens Falls considering solar energy for schools

SOUTH GLENS FALLS -- South Glens Falls school officials are exploring a project to install solar panels for generating electricity.

The district plans to apply for a grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to make such a project possible, according to Superintendent Michael Patton.

“We’re looking to hopefully work with a local engineering firm that has some experience (with schools),” he said.

The first step is contracting with engineering firm CSArch to develop a request for proposals to obtain electrical power from photovoltaic energy sources under what is called a Power Purchase Agreement, or PPA for short.

District spokesman Monica Lester said the way a PPA works is a third-party provider installs the solar system and is responsible for the maintenance of all its components, as well as engineering and permitting work that is required.

This third party then sells the electricity produced by the system directly to the district, according to Lester.

South Glens Falls does not have to make any capital investment.

“The nice thing is there’s no cost to the school district,” Patton said.

Lester said the district does not have a timeline regarding the potential project.

The idea is for solar companies also to take advantage of grants from NYSERDA and other tax incentives, according to school officials.

NYSERDA has an open enrollment program that provides funding for both residential and nonresidential solar electric systems, according to spokeswoman Dayle Zatlin. The state sets aside about $4.8 million per month.

“It’s first come, first served, so the applications are put in and if we got to your incentive before the end of that $4.8 million, then you’re part of the program for that month,” she said. “Otherwise you’re put on a waiting list for the next month.”

The state has been providing about $1.30 per watt for the first 50 kilowatts (50,000 watts) and 90 cents a watt for anything above 50 kilowatts up to 200 kilowatts, according to Zaplin. The larger the system, the greater the amount.

“We’re assuming you’re going to get more kilowatt hours off a bigger system,” she said. “That’s our goal to get as many kilowatt hours as we can.”

The state has been providing around $9,800 for a typical 7 kilowatt residential system, according to Zaplin. This does not include any state and federal tax credits that may be available.

She said a residential system can offset a home electricity’s needs by as much as 70 percent to 80 percent depending on the size of the panels and the direction they are facing. South-facing panels are ideal.

At least 90 schools statewide have installed solar panels through the NYSERDA program, according to Zaplin.

The Cambridge Central School District is a bit further along with its solar power initiative. Superintendent Vincent Canini said at a recent meeting that Monolith Solar would be coming to the school to scout out locations for their solar panels.

Check out how Schodack School's Solar Initiative is saving them $$ while enhancing their school's energy curriculum.

Schools switch to solar to save money

Posted at: 09/04/2013 4:47 PM | Updated at: 09/04/2013 5:02 PM
By: Elaine Houston

Schools are listening.With school beginning, families are trying to purchase school supplies and clothing while living within their own budgets. They're also asking school districts to be more transparent about their budgets.

Walk into Maple Hill High School in Castleton and you can't help but notice the big flat screen on the wall in the entrance. But you won't be able to flip the channels and find your favorite program -- instead you'll get a lesson in solar energy.

Hourly students can monitor just how much electricity the district is producing and they can see how they're saving the planet.

Plus, the district is making solar energy part of its curriculum across the board.

Even the kindergarteners are learning about solar energy.

It all started last summer when the district decided to give solar energy a try.

“Schools were really being looked at to be more efficient, efficient, efficient,” explained Maple Hill High School Principal Bob Horan.

So they signed a 20-year agreement with Monolith Solar. They install and maintain the system free of charge, while the district cuts its energy costs.

“We don't own any of the equipment. A panel breaks, it's no cost to the district,” Horan said.

State and federal incentives offset the panel instillations and Monolith charges the district for power at a reduced rate.

“We saved somewhere between 12 to 15,000 dollars in year one without having all our systems running,” the principal said.

Other districts, like Brunswick, have taken to their roofs too. Last week crews laid footers for the solar panels, which will soon line the tops of their buildings.

“Not only is it cost friendly, it makes perfect sense,” Brunswick School Superintendent Dr. Angelina Bergin said. “We’re utilizing unused space to produce our own energy.”

Alex Lieb, CEO of New York Light Energy, is working with the Brunswick district and says school partnerships are a win for everyone.

“Partnering with the school districts on these projects has allowed us to meet the student’s objectives, to meet the school district's objectives of saving money and locally hire people and get them off the unemployment roles,” Lieb said.

OTHER SCHOOLS ON THE SOLAR BANDWAGON

These two districts are not the only ones giving solar a try. Others are looking into it as well.

Shenedehowa's High School East is using solar panels and a lobby display similar to the one at Maple Hill in Castelton. The information from that display can also be viewed online. They estimate the district is saving $10,000 a year.

The Cohoes School District received two grants for solar panels at the middle and high schools. They say they've saved $23,026 in the two years since the installation.

South Colonie is considering making the solar switch. If their proposal is approved, they say it could be the largest school solar installation in the state.

Solar array would be a leader in state

Grant would pay for 5,700 panels; $1.7M in savings is estimated

By Tim O'Brien

Published 9:43 pm, Thursday, August 29, 201

• 
  
  

Colonie

South Colonie schools are hoping to install the largest arrays of solar panels in any school district in New York State.

The Board of Education is seeking a grant to fund more than 5,700 solar panels to be spread across each of the district's eight schools and on its transportation department offices. If successful, it could save the district $1.7 million over the next 20 years and provide almost all its power.

"We're in a time when schools have lost a lot of different levels of funding," said SuperintendentJonathan Buhner. "We're looking at ways to control and reduce baseline costs. That's what this comes down to, having a Cadillac program in a Chevy body."

At a total of 1.7 megawatts, the system would be the largest for a school district in New York state, according to the New York Energy Research and Development Authority. The next largest is the 1.2 megawatt system in the Queensbury Union Free School District.

Buying the system retail and having it installed would cost more than $5 million, said Tim Carr, strategic accounts manager for Monolith.

Monolith will file the grant application to NYSERDA. If received, the grant would cover about a third of the costs.

NYSERDA has $4.8 million in incentives available each month under its Open Enrollment Photovoltaic Incentive program, part of a statewide program to encourage installing solar energy systems. Money is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Once money for a month is committed, additional proposals are put on a waiting list and are first to receive funding the next month.

The Rensselaer firm would install the system free of charge and would own and maintain it. It would then sell electricity back to the district. The firm also would recoup some of its costs through tax incentives.

"The way we're able to make it work is by selling the district power over the long term," Carr said.

He said he thinks the odds of getting the grant are strong.

"As long as funding is still available, I think there is a very good chance," he said. "Our understanding is all eligible projects will be funded."

At Colonie Central High School, a fenced-in ground system would power the lighting of the athletic field, press box and even the scoreboards.

Anyone entering the district's schools would see a monitor displaying real-time information on energy consumption.

The district also would turn the system into a teaching tool.

Students and teachers could check in daily on the schools' energy consumption. The four-year-old Monolith also employs a curriculum coordinator to help teachers prepare lesson plans.

"We would include that as part of our educational program," Buhner said.

If approved, the district plans to install the solar panels over the winter, with the system running by next spring or summer.

tobrien@timesunion.com • 518-454-5092 • @timobrient

Monolith Solar was in the house as tonight’s Game Sponsor. They provided information on how they can offer significant savings on your energy bills by taking advantage of this efficient, reliable, and secure clean energy. Visit their website at www.monolithsolar.com for more information on how they can help you save at home and at work.

For your chance to win this golf cart, contact Monolith at 444-2044!

Join us on Saturday August 24th at 7pm at the Tri-City Valley Cats Game (Bruno Stadium in Troy) as they head off against the Staten Island Yankees!! *** All Veterans w/ID get in for free!!!!!!!

Aug 14, 2013, 4:03pm EDT

How a college grad got a (paying) job by offering to work for free

Enlarge

Lindsey McEntire is Monolith Solar's marketing manager. She has worked for the renewable energy company since April. She used an unconventional strategy to find her job.

Haley Viccaro

Reporter-The Business Review

Email  | Twitter  | LinkedIn

After graduating from the University at Albany in December 2011, Lindsey McEntire went on more than 13 job interviews that led nowhere.

To boost her resume, she decided to write a proposal to six companies offering to work for a month – free of charge.

Monolith Solar Associates in Rensselaer accepted her offer and McEntire, 23, has now been working there (with pay) since April as Monolith’s marketing manager.

Q. What was your proposal to Monolith?

A. I put together a YouTube video of the proposal that demonstrated where their company was and where I thought they could be. I mentioned a lot of the social media platforms that are free to advertise and suggested they connect with customers more often for exposure and to build their client base.

Q. They accepted your offer. Did you work for free your first month?

A. It really wasn’t discussed. The proposal was simply my ticket in the door. Once I got that face-to-face time with them, the pay was never mentioned. I was offered compensation for my time there. Even if they didn’t pay that month, I would have done it anyway.

Q. Why Monolith Solar?

A. Previously working for the state Legislature I learned about the renewable energy industry and it seemed so exciting because it helps people to save money and to save the world. With my public policy and business background from UAlbany, I felt I would be able to work there. The Monolith signs popped up everywhere in the region, and I thought I needed to apply there.

Q. What advice would you give to recent college graduates looking for jobs?

A. In college we are told that it is your cover letter and resume that make you stand out. I spent hours going through my resume with my advisor. But it is really all about how you shine from the rest of the pack. I believe this proposal idea could work in any field. If you have a proposal stapled on top of your cover letter and resume, you are able to diversify yourself.