Central Ohio Relocalization Effort (CORE), Columbus, Ohio

     I'd like to suggest a project for this outpost and/or the Simply Living Peak Oil Group. I call it Solar Columbus. This would be a proposal to take to Schwarzwalder and could help kick-start solar net-metering in Columbus.

     The essence of the project is to put together a packet of ~12 home/small business photovoltaic systems. These would include everything from the panels to the net-metering inverters and/or battery storage arrays. They would represent systems available from, say, three different companies and four different power ranges (e.g., 1, 3, 5, and 10 kwatts). The systems would be carefully chosen for compatability with the local AEP system.

      Columbus's contribution to the program is to act as the buying agent for the system and to provide an orders coordinator (presumably part-time - at least in the beginning). Interested buyers would order and pay for the system through the city office. The city would, in turn, order the systems providing a large discount (the city's "subsidy" for the program) through the combination of bulk pricing and minimal profit margin. The system would be delivered to the buyer's home (or a city office, if necessary) and that would, essentially, be the end of the city's involvement.

     Because the systems are pre-selected for compatability with the local power grid and have the city's backing, hooking up to the grid should face minimal interference.

     The purchaser would have to install the system himself or hire one of the local solar energy firms to install it. Although it might seem that this program might attract the ire of local solar energy firms because it cuts into their business, it is important to emphasize that they will experience a decrease in system purchases but will greatly increase their installation and maintenance revenue. I have already pitched this idea past an employee of Dovetail Solar (I think that's who it was) and he agreed the the benefits are likely to outweigh the lost revenue.

     I am hoping that we can contact Green Energy Ohio and get their help in assembling information on the PV packets and also have their endorsement when we speak to Mr. Schwarzwalder. I think that our major contribution will be writing up the proposal and scheduling an appointment with Mr. Schwarzwalder.

     I might also add that I am hoping that this will dovetail nicely with the State of Ohio's solar grants program which I have heard was renewed this year. 

     Does anyone else think that this is a project worth pursuing? Actually, once we have it together, we could take it to Dublin, Worthington, Upper Arlington, Bexley, Hilliard, etc. as well. I've put off developing this project long enough. The sooner we get to it, the sooner I can buy a PV for my house.

                                     Geoffrey Tolle