GET Solar: Galvanizing our Energy Transition to Solar

The GET Solar initiative is a streamlined process that instills organizations and communities with confidence in the process of going solar by using trusted tools and resources that connect organizations to qualified professionals making the process straightforward and simple.

We guide your organization through four steps to completing your solar installation, throughout which we serve as a trusted partner and steward. We will do the heavy lifting so that your organization can dedicate your time and resources to best serve your mission.

1.) Basic Solar Feasibility

The GET Solar team provides a high-level design and analysis of your property’s solar opportunity. We estimate the potential production of a solar installation as well as the costs and benefits. We provide basic solar education; discuss the process of going solar; and identify basic financing strategies, including existing federal tax benefits, available grants, and loans. All we need is a complete, recent copy of your electricity bill and the address of the property on which you are considering the installation.

2.) Request for Proposals (RFP)

The GET Solar team solicits design proposals from vetted, regional solar developers through an unbiased, competitive bidding process. The GET Solar team works with you to compile necessary documentation and engages directly with solar developers on your behalf, from organizing site visits to compiling submitted proposals. We solicit and organize the proposals so that they can be reviewed in an apples-to-apples fashion.

3.) Review and Compare Proposals

The GET Solar team helps you review the proposals you received through the RFP, providing education and support in understanding the opportunities being presented. As an unbiased consultant, we ensure you have the tools and knowledge to make the best decision for your organization, but do not influence the selection process.

4.) Financing and Implementation Support

Once your organization has selected the solar developer/proposal that best suits your organization’s needs, the GET Solar team works with you to develop a comprehensive financing strategy. We can assist your organization in identifying grants and funding opportunities while connecting you with lending organizations or financial partners. While we remain a collaborator through the contract and installation of the system, the selected solar developer becomes an invaluable partner in assisting your organization to maximize the value of your solar, including setting up a plan to commodify your Solar Renewable Energy Credits (S-RECS) and providing an operations and maintenance plan to protect your solar asset.

THREE EASY STEPS TO JOIN GET SOLAR!

1) Prequalification Survey

Not sure if your business or non-profit’s property is right for solar? Fill out the pre-screening form  below and we will let you know if your property is a good candidate for solar and a good fit for the G.E.T. Solar program. We will also be able to answer any of your questions about the process of going solar generally and as part of our program.

Please feel free to complete the prequalification survey to get a high-level assessment of your property’s solar potential. The GET Solar team will respond to all reasonable inquiries, but due to a high volume of surveys and applications, there may a delay in response or processing of inquiries.

2) View our Webinars to Learn More
GET Solar Communities Round Three Webinar  (September 14, 2023)

The PA Solar Center recorded this webinar on Thursday, September 14, 2023, which discusses why it is a good time to go solar, provides information about the GET Solar initiative, and takes a cursory look at the financing tools and resources available to Pennsylvania organizations pursuing solar electricity. By taking advantage of tax benefits at the federal and state level, as well as various grant and loan programs, organizations can recoup much of their initial investment back in year one and/or prorate their investment out over a number of years. In C-PACE eligible counties, solar costs can be bundled with other infrastructure upgrades and be financed as a special tax assessment with no up-front costs and no effect on an organization’s line of credit.

3) Apply to GET Solar
Submit a completed application form along with accompanying documents (outlined in the RFA) to info@pasolarcenter.org.

The application form for 2023 can be found HERE.

 



Additional GET Solar Resources

Previously Recorded Webinars

GET Solar: CONNECT Webinar was held April 11, 2023.  The PA Solar Center partnered with the Congress of Neighboring Communities (CONNECT) to bring thirteen municipalities and authorities in the greater Pittsburgh region together to pursue solar. This webinar covered the basics of the program and solar opportunities tailored to municipal organizations.

C-PACE Financing for Solar (Round 2) Webinar was held on March 5, 2020. View the recording of the webinar below learn more about Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) and how it helps organizations finance solar with no money down.

 

Benefits of Going Solar

  1. Reduce your electric bill so that you can allocate more funds to programming or services to fulfill your organization’s mission
  2. Hedge against fluctuating and rising utility bills. Once the solar equipment is installed, your organization will have a steady and predictable cost of electricity for the next 20 years or more enabling you to reliably budget your electric bill from year to year.
  3. Reduce climate and air pollution as well as health impacts resulting from fossil fuels. Solar energy reduces our reliance on fossil fuel-generated electricity that causes climate change and air pollution and subsequently, serious health conditions for resident of our communities.
  4. Increase the positive perception of your organization. Solar energy demonstrates a commitment to environmental and community health and signals that your organization embodies these values. Going solar also reflects favorably upon your organization in the eyes of your employees and your constituents, clients and/or members and the larger community.