Case Study 150 One Overview

Community First Solar (CFS) aims to collaborate with diverse groups of energy stakeholders to develop and pilot new pathways to increase rooftop solar adoption at no cost for middle to low-income households. This initiative will be executed in four phases over 2025 – 2026.

Household Selection: A total of 150 households will be selected to participate in the case study. The anticipated outcomes of this case study include:

• Long-term Cost Reduction: Households can potentially reduce their electricity bills by up to 80% after installing solar panels, leading to substantial annual savings.
• Environmental Impact: Utilizing solar energy can positively affect the environment by reducing reliance on other energy sources that have a larger environmental footprint.
• Building Wealth through Savings: Significant savings on electricity bills can contribute to wealth accumulation for participating households.
• Positive Mental Impact: Reduced financial stress from lower energy bills can improve overall mental well-being.

Data Collection: Over 36 months, each participating household will provide data on their monthly electricity costs before and 12 to 36 months after solar installation. This data will establish a baseline to evaluate the actual financial impact of solar adoption on these families.

Case Study Overview: The 150 Home Solar Case Study aims to install solar energy systems on 150 mid-low-income households in Texas over 36 months. The project will assess the financial impact of solar adoption by collecting data on monthly electricity costs before and after installation. The project will be executed in four phases, starting with an initial pilot involving 20 homes and expanding to the remaining 130 homes through subsequent phases.

Phase 1: Solar Case Study (Months 1-3)

Objective: Develop and pilot new pathways to increase rooftop solar adoption at no upfront cost for 20 households.

Activities:

1. Stakeholder Engagement:

1. • Assemble a diverse group of energy stakeholders, including solar providers, financial institutions, local government representatives, and community organizations.
   • Conduct stakeholder meetings to align on project goals, responsibilities, and timelines.

2. Selection of Households:

1. • Identify and select 20 mid-low-income households to participate in the pilot.
   • Conduct site assessments to ensure suitability for solar installation.

3. Pathway Development:

1. • Develop innovative financing solutions, such as power purchase agreements (PPAs), leases, or community solar models.
   • Create educational materials and outreach programs to inform selected households about the benefits and process of solar adoption.

4. Installation and Monitoring:

1. • Install solar panels on the 20 selected homes.
   • Set up monitoring systems to track electricity usage and savings.

5. Data Collection:

1. • Begin collecting baseline data on electricity costs for participating households.
   • Establish a process for ongoing data collection over the next 36 months.

6. Evaluation and Reporting:

1. • Evaluate the success of the pilot program.
   • Generate a report detailing the findings and lessons learned from Phase 1.

Phase 2: Expansion to 30 Homes (Months 4-12)

Objective: Expand solar adoption to an additional 30 households based on the successful pathways developed in Phase 1.

Activities:

1. Refinement and Scaling:

1. • Refine the financing and outreach strategies based on feedback and results from Phase 1.
   • Scale up the educational and marketing efforts to reach a broader audience.

2. Household Selection and Assessment:

1. • Select 30 new households to participate.
   • Conduct thorough site assessments to confirm suitability for solar installation.

3. Installation:

1. • Install solar panels on the 30 additional homes.
   • Ensure all installations meet quality and safety standards.

4. Enhanced Data Collection:

1. • Continue collecting baseline electricity cost data for new participants.
   • Monitor and compare the electricity usage and savings for all 70 participating households.

5. Community Engagement:

1. • Organize community events and workshops to share success stories and benefits of solar adoption.
   • Engage with local media to highlight the project’s impact and encourage broader participation.

Phase 3: Expansion to 100 Homes (Months 13-24)

Objective: Further expand solar adoption to an additional 100 households, building on the momentum and infrastructure established in Phases 1 and 2.

Activities:

1. Process Optimization:

1. • Optimize installation processes and financing models based on accumulated experience and feedback.
   • Streamline household selection and assessment procedures.

2. Broad Outreach:

1. • Launch an extensive outreach campaign to identify and engage with potential participants.
   • Partner with local community leaders and organizations to reach mid-low-income households.

3. Mass Installation:

1. • Coordinate the installation of solar panels on the additional 100 homes.
   • Deploy additional installation teams as needed to handle the increased volume.

4. Data Integration:

1. • Integrate data collection systems to handle the larger scale of participants.
   • Ensure consistent and accurate data recording for all 150 households.

5. Intermediate Reporting:

1. • Generate an intermediate report summarizing the progress, challenges, and successes of the first three phases.
   • Share findings with stakeholders and the broader community.

Phase 4: Long-Term Monitoring and Final Assessment (Months 25-36)

Objective: Conduct long-term monitoring of the financial impact on all 150 households and provide a comprehensive assessment of the project’s outcomes.

Activities:

1. Continuous Data Collection:

1. • Continue collecting monthly electricity cost data for all participating households.
   • Monitor system performance and address any technical issues promptly.

2. Impact Analysis:

1. • Analyze the collected data to determine the actual financial impact of solar adoption on household electricity costs.
   • Compare pre- and post-installation costs to assess savings and return on investment.

3. Case Studies and Testimonials:

1. • Develop detailed case studies highlighting individual household experiences and benefits.
   • Collect testimonials from participants to capture qualitative benefits such as energy independence and improved quality of life.

4. Final Reporting:

1. • Compile a comprehensive final report detailing the overall impact, lessons learned, and best practices.
   • Share the report with stakeholders, policymakers, and the public to advocate for broader adoption of solar energy.

5. Future Planning:

1. • Use the insights gained to plan future initiatives and programs aimed at increasing solar adoption among mid-low-income households.
   • Explore the potential for scaling the project to other regions or expanding the scope to include additional renewable energy solutions.

By following these phases, the 150 Home Solar Case Study aims to demonstrate the viability and benefits of solar energy for mid-low-income households, providing a scalable model for future renewable energy initiatives.

Click “Easy Apply” to be considered in the 150 Home Solar Case Study