Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) is seeking qualified firms to submit proposals for the design, procurement, and installation of new residential and commercial photovoltaic (PV) systems at a per-watt price lower than the prevailing single system market rate.
The “group buy” program is being led by Midwest Renewable Energy Association. The goal of the program is to increase consumer education and PV installations in Milwaukee County, WI, through a group purchase involving a competitive contractor selection process, an advantageous pricing and rebate structure, and free information sessions.
Between 2013 and 2020, the MREA facilitated forty-two Solar Group Buy programs around the Midwest, reaching over 10,000 individuals with our Solar Power Hour information sessions, and leading to more than 14,000 kW on over 1,900 properties. Among those who attended our presentations, an average 19.28% purchased a PV system. To date, the average system size is 7.24 kW.
The group buy program is offered with support from MREA, the Bay View Neighborhood Association, the Cities of Milwaukee and Glendale, and the Villages of Bayside, Fox Point, Shorewood, and Whitefish Bay. MREA will coordinate and deliver a minimum of 12 free, public Solar Power Hour information sessions and market them widely with email blasts, paid social media promotion, promotional partnerships, in the press, and more.
Please note: as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we plan to offer all public presentations via webinar until it is safe to offer them in person again. Across all programs in 2020, we averaged 11 attendees per webinar presentation; in 2019, we averaged 12 attendees per in-person presentation.
This program will also include paid internships for participants in a solar workforce development partnership between MREA and Walnut Way. The selected installer will accept 2-3 interns for on-the-job training. For more information about the internship, please see page 11 of the RFP. In addition, the selected installer will be hired for installation of 5.5 kWDC (modules already procured via donation) per specifications in this RFP for Walnut Way Conservation Corps (see Exhibit D). Funding for installation is courtesy of Hammond Climate Solutions’ Solar Moonshot Program.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD RFP.
RFP Announced – January 27, 2021
RFP Questions Due/Posted – February 10, 2021
RFP Proposals Due – February 17, 2021
Firm(s) Selected – March 3, 2021
Walnut Way installation – Q2 2021
Internships – Q2-Q4 2021
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
- We need clarification about the Walnut Way CC 5.5kW installation please. As we understand it, the awarded contractor will install this system under the same pricing structure as the Group Buy and the panels are donated, correct? In other words, the installation of the 5.5kW is not included as an no charge expectation of the award, it’s in addition to the award and will be treated like another job.
Walnut Way has been awarded modules through a Solar For Good grant, and the selected installer for this program will be hired to install those modules plus inverter, balance of system, and will be responsible for permitting and interconnection. The selected installer will install this system according to the group buy pricing structure with the exception of module pricing since Walnut Way already has the modules.