SanCap Solar Connect was inspired by solar campaigns that have succeeded across the country. By combining our collective purchasing power, SanCap Solar Connect ensures that program participants will be eligible for a special reduced rate on solar electricity systems in addition to a federal tax credit. Our installation partner, Urban Solar, was selected after the SanCap Solar Connect Selection Committee thoroughly evaluated proposals from many qualified installers. Urban Solar was chosen because it was clear they were able to offer the best value, experience, and technical knowledge to the community.

SanCap Solar Connect is coordinating a series of events on Sanibel and Captiva to educate community members about the program. Participants can sign up for a free solar assessment at their home or business from Urban Solar, SanCap Solar Connect’s selected installer partner. Urban Solar will remotely evaluate the property and will speak with property owners about their property's solar photovoltaic (PV) panel potential. If solar is a good option, an Urban Solar consultant will visit the site and take accurate measurements. Urban Solar will then present a system design and financial proposal to the property owner.

The SanCap Solar Connect program is a limited-time, special offer only available until March 15, 2016.

In addition to benefitting from volume pricing and consolidated installation costs, Urban Solar will receive customer leads through SanCap Solar Connect's outreach efforts. As a result, Urban Solar's marketing costs will be reduced. Through this program, these savings will be passed on to customers. The more people that decide to go solar as part of the SanCap Solar Connect program, the larger these savings will be.

By going solar together, SanCap Solar Connect participants can secure a special price for solar that will be lower than going solar alone.

The SanCap Solar Connect Selection Committee, consisting of solar experts and local community and business leaders, solicited bids from qualified installers interested in being a part of this exciting program. The Committee closely evaluated the experience and proposals of the companies that responded. After carefully interviewing the finalists, the SanCap Solar Connect Selection Committee chose Urban Solar, a Florida company with experience that includes other community-based solar programs.

This is the same selection process that many communities across the nation have used in their solar campaigns to find the installers that were right for them.

SanCap Solar Connect offers participants the best price for solar in the state of Florida, with base prices approximately 26% below the state average reported in 2014.

Also, solar installations are eligible for a 30% federal tax credit, making solar more affordable for many families and businesses. SanCap Solar Connect participants are able to take advantage of all available incentives as well as a special discounted price, and they are able to work with an installer that has been specially vetted and selected by SanCap Solar Connect.

Attend one of our Solar Community Meetings! SanCap Solar Connect and Urban Solar will host events on Sanibel and Captiva this fall and winter to discuss the value of solar electricity to our community and to share more information about the program.

Find an event near you!

Yes! Sometimes the best location for solar might not be on your roof. Although ground-mounted systems typically cost more compared to rooftop systems, they can still be great investments, particularly if they are able to get more sun than your roof does. Urban Solar will work with property owners interested in ground-mounted systems to design one that meets their needs.

Solar projects incorporated into newly-built homes or planned buildings are eligible to participate, but contracts must be signed by the program deadline of March 15, 2016. Urban Solar will work with individuals interested in installing systems on buildings currently designed or under construction.

After the initial assessment takes place and a contract has been signed, a typical timeline for installation is as follows:

• 15 days for engineering
• 30 days for permitting
• 5 days for construction
• 1-3 days for testing and commissioning

Please note that this represents an average timeline. Your installation timeline may vary depending on size and other variables. Our installation partner, Urban Solar, will be happy to discuss a specific timeline with you.

Yes, several incentives from the state and federal governments are available to SanCap Solar Connect Participants.

• Federal Renewable Energy Tax Credit. The federal government allows home and business owners to claim a credit of 30% of the total installed costs of their solar PV system. This tax credit was scheduled to expire at the end of 2016 but was extended until 2019 and on by Congress at the end of 2015. All participants are encouraged to consult their tax advisor to fully understand their personal tax benefit.
• Sales Tax Exemption. Solar energy systems have been exempt from the Florida sales tax since 1997.

Solar PV systems installed by businesses are also eligible for special commercial incentives:

• Modified Accelerated Cost-Recovery System (MACRS). Solar energy systems are eligible for a 5-year depreciation schedule under the Modified Accelerated Cost-Recovery System.
• Florida Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit. A corporate tax credit can be claimed by businesses that sell self-generated renewable energy to another party. Any excess electricity that is sold back to the grid may trigger this credit, equal to $0.01 per kWh of electricity sold. All participants are encouraged to consult their tax advisor to fully understand this production tax credit. This credit expires at the end of June 2016.

Solar panels are completely safe in standard operation. You should refrain from touching any exposed wires (if there happen to be any) or tampering with any of the equipment. All of the installations will be inspected and tested by local municipal inspectors for safety and compliance.

A few factors determine whether a home or business is a good location for solar:

When you sign up at SanCap Solar Connect, Urban Solar will help you determine whether your home is a good candidate for solar.

• Buildings with south-facing roofs make the best sites, as they have more access to sunlight, though roofs facing east or west can be used as well.
• The location for solar should be largely un-shaded by trees or rooftop obstructions such as chimneys.
• The roof should be in good condition and not in need of replacement in the near future.

An optimally-sited solar system in Florida will produce roughly 1,500 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year per kilowatt of solar installed. An average Florida household consumes over 14,000 kilowatt-hours per year. Therefore, a 10 kilowatt solar system (about 38 solar panels at 260 watts each) would satisfy all of a typical home’s energy needs, though some home rooftops will not be able to accommodate systems that large. Larger homes can accommodate larger systems, but the rules that govern the interconnection (the ability to send self-generated electricity to the grid) of solar systems to the electric grid in Florida are a bit more complicated for systems larger than 10 kilowatts. Homeowners may also choose to build a solar system that provides only a portion of a home's electricity supply. Urban Solar will work with property owners to develop a customer system that best addresses the electrical needs of their property

Systems installed through solar campaigns around the country have averaged approximately 7 kilowatts in size. The optimal system size at a particular home or building will vary based on electricity consumption and available space, noting that installed costs will typically be cheaper on a per panel (per Watt) basis for larger systems. Urban Solar will help you determine the system that is best for your property and needs.