The Process to obtain a grid tied PhotoVoltaic (PV) system in New York.

·        Site Survey. Have the site evaluated for: Shading, solar exposure and Component locations. Your electric usage history from your electric bill. Suggestions for energy conservation.

• We leave you with a preliminary written quote unless you have an unusual situation requiring office resources or additional information not available on site.

• We work up and send you a Proposal/ Purchase agreement with price, NYSERDA incentive application form, Utility Interconnection application forms and sales tax exemption forms and 30 year economic forecast for the proposed system.

• Time usually 2 to 3 weeks. During peak installation season it could be several weeks longer depending on demand.

·        To initiate the process the Client (you) shall review and when satisfied sign the proposal and return it to GBE with the down payment. The Client shall also provide to GBE:

·        a copy of a recent electric bill showing the SBC/RPS charge for presentation to NYSERDA or

·        a letter from the Utility certifying that he/she pays into the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS).

·        For new construction if the client wishes a higher incentive he/ she shall also provide GBE with a letter from the builder that the home is certified as Energy Star.

Timing:

NYSERDA approval of incentive process is currently taking at least 3 months (as of December 2008).

·        The Client shall enter into a Solar Net Metering Interconnection Agreement with his/her utility company, NYSEG or National Grid. We provide you with the contact person at your power company. The required Interconnection Agreement packet is obtainable from this person. However, For the Client’s convenience GBE provides this documention for the Client’s signature to facilitate the process. This is an easy four step process that GBE can perform for you. All we need is your signature on the forms:

1.      An application for technical review of the system is submitted to YOUR POWER COMPANY. The application form is filled in and enclosed for the Client to sign upon acceptance of this proposal. The technical review is usually complete within 2 to 3 weeks.

2.      Upon YOUR POWER COMPANY approval of the system design the system is installed by GBE.

3.      Also upon YOUR POWER COMPANY approval of the system the Client shall sign and return to The contact at Your Power Company the Interconnection Agreement. YOUR POWER COMPANY signs the agreement and returns a copy to the client usually within 10 days. National Grid approvals have been taking 8 to 10 weeks.

4.      Upon completion of the installation GBE shall arrange for YOUR POWER COMPANY to send a field engineer to witness a test of the system’s ability to disconnect automatically from the utility grid in the event of a power outage. Usually permission to operate the system is granted at this point. Formal written approval follows a couple weeks later. National Grid has been taking much longer.

·        There will be several papers you will need to sign at the completion of the installation in order that GBE may invoice NYSERDA for the final 25% of the financial incentive.

·        This utility Interconnection Agreement must be returned to the utility and made effective before the system can be operated and qualify for New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) incentive discount and State income tax credit. The Client understands that this process may take time and the possibility exists that the system may be completed several weeks before utility permission is granted to operate it. In such case the Client agrees not to operate the system until utility approval is granted.

·        Upon receipt of the major system components at the installation site the client shall sign a packing slip acknowledging such receipt in order that GBE may invoice NYSERDA for the first 75% of the financial incentive.

GBE:

·        Upon receipt of this signed purchase agreement for installation of the system GBE shall submit it to NYSERDA with application for the incentive.

·        GBE shall produce and attach the required technical documents to the Interconnection Technical Review application and submit it to The contact at YOUR POWER COMPANY.

·        Before installation begins GBE shall obtain any required permits for the installation. If a permit application should be denied without ready resolution, this contract would become null and void and GBE would not be obligated to install nor would Client be obligated to purchase the system and GBE would refund to the customer any payments he/ she had made to GBE toward the system.

·         If excavation is involved GBE shall contact the Underground Facilities Protection Organization (UFPO) “Dig Safe” to arrange for location and marking of underground utility services.

·        During installation GBE shall arrange for the system to be inspected by an authorized electrical inspection agency. If the local code enforcement office requires an inspection of the system, GBE shall arrange for it.

·        After YOUR POWER COMPANY ‘s review and approval of the project has been received by GBE and the Client and the system has been completed, GBE shall arrange with YOUR POWER COMPANY for a field verification inspection and test (if the utility exercises its option to witness this test).

·        Upon approval from YOUR POWER COMPANY for the system to operate GBE shall turn on the system or instruct the Client how to turn on the system.

·        Also at this time GBE shall conduct a “walk through” of the system with the client to answer any questions about operation and maintenance of the system and offer the client an optional $250 per year annually renewable maintenance contract.

·        TIMING: The process from site survey to system activation usually takes 6 to 8 months. Even though the installation usually takes less than a week you may not operate the system until final utility approval is granted. This could be several weeks after installation is complete. In National Grid regions it could be a couple months. Often it requires threats of and calls to the PSC to obtain action. GBE takes this action on behalf of the customer when necessary.