Federal tax credit increases to 30 Percent;
Free solar social set for Aug. 24 to highlight community-led bulk purchasing opportunity
Solarize KC, a unique community-led program that makes solar energy and battery storage more affordable to local participants through group purchasing, has gained further momentum this summer, reaching its 6th of 8 progressively lower price tiers.
Solarize KC offers an opportunity to install solar energy infrastructure at your home or business at discount prices achievable through bulk buying along with others in Kansas City. The more purchases that occur, the lower the total price of an installed renewable energy system for each buyer.
Under the Solarize concept, everyone who purchased a solar power system in the first stages of the campaign receives the same discounts as the last participant – eight tiers in all. This month, Tier 6 was reached to bring the cost down to $2.60/watt.
In addition, this week’s signing into law of the Inflation Reduction Act means that federal tax credits have increased to 30 percent in savings for newly installed solar energy systems and batteries.
Following the Solarize Kansas City campaign’s first contract on June 21, over 30 additional homeowners have completed contracts, comprising 251 in total kW of solar power generated through the program. Once these systems are fully installed and operational, the equivalent of 460,786 lbs. of carbon emissions will have been avoided annually in Kansas City.
Contacts and visits are continuing with 467 local property owners who have already requested a free evaluation through Solarize KC. Local home and business owners can enroll anytime for a free assessment of their property’s readiness for solar energy and battery storage.
To help further familiarize the public with this opportunity, a free Solar Social event will be hosted by the Coalition this month.
- On Wednesday, Aug. 24 from 5-8 p.m., join Solarize KC at The Well located at 7421 Broadway St.
- Led by solar energy experts, the Solar Social will help property owners learn more about the Solarize KC opportunity, including how price tiers work, how free evaluations are offered, and details about equipment, warranties and financing options as well as the installation process.
- Appetizers and beverages will be provided. This is a free event and open to the public. Register here
The coalition of organizations involved in developing and partnering together to ensure Solarize KC
is a success include: the City of Kansas City, MO; Kansas City Public Library; Metropolitan Energy Center, USGBC – Central Plains; Climate+Energy Project; Missouri Chapter of the Sierra Club; Westside Housing; Greenwood Consulting Group LLC, Center for Neighborhoods, and MY REGION WINS!, with support from Solar Crowdsource. Following a rigorous selection process evaluating price, quality of materials and service, Sun Solar was chosen to lead and execute the proposal, contract and installation process.
Solar energy is clean, makes homes and businesses more climate-resilient and can stimulate local economic growth. A component of the Solarize KC program currently in development will enable homeowners in select neighborhoods to apply for subsidies to ensure that low- to moderate-income households are able to participate.
All solar and battery installations under the Solarize Kansas City program are expected to be completed by June 30, 2023.
Interested residents may go to solarizekansascity.com to learn more about the program and sign up for a free solar energy evaluation.
About Solarize KC: Solarize Kansas City is a campaign forged and supported by a local public-private coalition involving the City of Kansas City, MO, Kansas City Public Library; Metropolitan Energy Center, USGBC – Central Plains; Climate+Energy Project; Missouri Chapter of the Sierra Club; Westside Housing; Greenwood Consulting Group LLC, Center for Neighborhoods, and MY REGION WINS!, with support from Solar Crowdsource.
Lowering the cost of solar-energy and battery-storage installations through the power of bulk purchasing, reducing contractor acquisition costs, and transferring those savings to residential and commercial residents is the goal of the campaign, which launched in May 2022.
Contact:
Andy Savastino, Chief Environmental Officer,
City of Kansas City
(816) 513-3460
Jensen Adams
(816) 701-3639
Ken Haldin
(404) 405-2924
