| Project Detail |
The overall project goal is to deploy clean energy systems in order to achieve the Bishop Paiute Tribe’s long-term goals of energy self-sufficiency, environmental protection, and better lives for their tribal members and community. This project is to install 34 grid-tied, net-metered rooftop solar electric systems on owner-occupied, single-family homes of low-income families living on the Reservation while at the same time hiring job trainees as installers for a minimum of 132 hours of paid work. The 34 homes that will receive solar energy systems are pre-existing and are located on the Reservation. The homes total 37,425 square feet, with a mean of 1,069 square feet per home. The oldest homes were built in the late 1960s, and more than half were built in the 1990s to present. Overall, the 34 homes have high electricity usage during the winter and summer months. The total combined annual electricity usage for the homes in 2014–2015 was approximately 215,148 kilowatt-hours (kWh)/year. The approximately 120 kW to be installed are estimated to produce 170,000 kWh annually, displacing at least 65%–79% of the homes’ total electricity use of 215,148 kWh/year (reduced to 45,148), generating approximately $1.29 million worth of power for low-income families over their lifespans, while eliminating an estimated 2,640 tons of greenhouse gas emissions. Actual installations will take place over the course of one to two days. During the first day, under the supervision of the Solar Partnership Program (SPP) contractors, the tribal job trainees will participate in a review of SPP, review site plans for the particular installation, identify materials, tools, and equipment needed for the project, install racking on the roof of the home, hang electrical boxes, and install conduit. The second day, the tribal job trainees will participate in prepping and installing the solar modules, wiring the system, and finally, seeing the system turned on for the first time by the homeowner. The tribal job trainees will obtain experience working for a for-profit solar contractor—experience that can help them gain future employment in the industry. Energy production from the installed solar electric system will be verified by taking readings from the installed inline production meter. Energy savings (amount, cost, and percentage) will be calculated using client’s bills (accessible online for the electricity provider) as well as the readings from the production meter. Performance monitoring is also available through the micro-inverter technology if the homeowner has an Internet connection. |
