Purpose & Background:
The Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) is seeking qualified firms to submit proposals for the design, procurement, and installation of new residential and small commercial photovoltaic systems as part of a bulk purchasing effort to lower prices. The group buy program is offered by the MREA with support from other local partners. The MREA will coordinate and deliver a minimum of six free, public Solar Power Hour information sessions and market them widely with email blasts, paid social media promotion, promotional partnerships, press releases and more. Presentations will be a combination of webinars and in-person events.
Timeline:
- RFP Announced: February 14, 2025
- RFP Questions Due/Posted: February 28, 2025
- RFP Proposals Due: March 13, 2025
- Firm Selected: March, 2025
About MREA:
Between 2013 and 2024, the MREA facilitated over 70 Solar Group Buy programs around the Midwest, reaching over 14,500 individuals with our Solar Power Hour information sessions, and leading to more than 24,900 kW on over 3,400 properties.
Questions:
Question: How many projects are anticipated to be a part of the group buy?
Answer: Our past 3 Milwaukee group buys have had an average of 53 properties go forward with a system. While we cannot predict the exact number of projects and leads that we will generate, we expect to be in this ballpark again.
Question: Are you selecting one firm or multiple firms to represent this area?
Answer: It is typical for the advisory committee to select a single installer for our programs. We have had instances in which the committee has selected two installers.
Question: On page 14, it says a $0.10 per watt fee will be applied for contracted installations above 50 kw. Is that a running total of all the projects installed for this program, or is it specifically for jobs that are over 50 kw?
Answer: The .10/w fee refers to the cumlatiative program results.
Question: On page 15 it states what is not included in baseline price such as structural and electrical work needed. Are these items going to be between us and the customer to work through and we would work out the change orders needed?
Answer: Yes, these items would be between the installer and customer.
Question: Is there a maximum price per watt at which we’d be able to offer solar installations? What has that price been historically?
Answer: There is no maximum price per watt, but we would encourage installers to put forward your best possible price in order to have a competitive proposal. Our previous program was a two installer program, so there were a few different prices being offered. The base prices ranged from 2.61/w-3.19/w, with options in-between depending on equipment and the installer.