Thurs, Oct 9, at GCTV, 393 Main Street in Greenfield. Two free workshops: 5:15pm: financing commercial projects. 7pm: financing home projects…..more-click on event name...
Are you looking for a 12-20% return on your investment? Or, have you always wanted a solar electric system, also called photovoltaics or PV, on your home or business, but you could not afford them?
Find out “how to” at two workshops offered by the Franklin County Community Development Corporation (FCCDC) and Greening Greenfield, which are in support of the Town’s Greenfield Solar Challenge program, which runs through November 15.
“The economics of PV systems is complicated,” said Pam Kelly, workshop organizer and member of Greening Greenfield, “but the attractive payback makes it very worthwhile to take the time to understand it all. While you can take advantage of one of the many offers from third parties to install a PV system on your roof at no cost to you, your return on investment will be many times greater if you can figure out how to buy and own the system yourself. “
Both workshops will explain the economics of installing PV, how you can secure financing, and how you can sign up for a FREE solar assessment.
The workshops have an amazing group of experts speaking including Adam Thurell of PV Squared; Alan Singer, Franklin County CDC loan officer; Jim Barry from the MA Division of Energy Resources (DOER); Len Shuzdak from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA); Mark Russo, VP Commercial Loans at the Greenfield Savings Bank; and Wendy Marsden, CPA, Tea & Taxes.
They will explain the Massachusetts solar rebates; state and federal tax credits; grants; and solar renewable energy credits (SRECs), all of which contribute to cutting the cost of the system almost in half. They will also talk about how to secure a low interest loan, which can make it possible to have a positive cash flow as soon as the PV system is installed.
“The Franklin County CDC encourages businesses to implement sustainable business practices whenever practicable, and this includes the installation of commercial solar photovoltaic,” said Alan Singer, CDC loan officer and co-organizer of the workshop. “The CDC’s Business Lending Program offers support to businesses that want to install commercial-use photovoltaic systems, particularly if it supports either permanent job creation or permanent job retention.”
The Franklin County CDC’s Business Lending Program service area includes all of Franklin and Hampshire Counties plus the North Quabbin and northern Berkshire County regions. This workshop is intended to provide the information sufficient to support the business community with the “how” and “where to” in terms of keeping apprised of the many resources that exist to support the installation of commercial-use solar photovoltaic.
The workshop is in support of the Greenfield Solar Challenge, a Town-sponsored program aimed to help Greenfield residents and businesses reduce their electric bills and support the adoption of renewable energy. Pioneer Valley PhotoVoltaics, also known as PV Squared, was chosen through a competitive bid process to be the installer of the solar systems for this program. The program ends Nov. 15.
To find out more about the Greenfield Solar Challenge contact Greenfield’s Solar Coach, Anne Perkins by calling 413-772-1389 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
GCTV will videotape the workshops, so if you cannot attend the October 9 workshop, you can view them at your convenience at www.gctv.org.
PS. To view a 30-minute video about the Greenfield Solar Challenge click here
