Beginning this month, about a dozen energized young people will spread out over Napa neighborhoods, knocking on doors with a ray of hope.
The 17- and 18-year-olds wearing bright blue polo shirts will offer homeowners information about the benefits of installing solar panels on their roofs.
Napa Valley Solar Partnership, which is under the umbrella of Community Action Napa Valley, hopes to accomplish two things with the campaign expected to last at least three months: Introduce the young adults to entry-level jobs and create demand for home solar installations.
Napa Valley Solar Partnership received federal stimulus money for this new program and is working with the nonprofit 1BOG (One Block off the Grid), which negotiates with dealers for group discounts on solar array systems.
Initially, about one dozen youths were recruited from VOICES Napa, which helps foster children become independent adults.
“We are training the youth to create a community need,” said Jim Tomlinson, solar project director at Community Action Napa Valley.
“These are entry-level jobs in a growth (industry),” Laurie Schuyler, finance director for Community Action Napa Valley. “We (hope to) create jobs by expanding the market for solar.”
After knocking on doors, some of the workers may want to step up and learn how to get involved in installation while others might want to move up the sales ladder, according to Michael Paik of Community Action Napa Valley.
Paik will be driving the youths to neighborhoods and be available to answer questions the less-experienced members of the sales force can’t answer for homeowners.
How does a homeowner know if it pays to go solar?
As a rule of thumb, if a home utility bill is less than $100, it does not make as much sense to install solar panels, experts say. But, if homeowners are paying $200 or more, their bill could be cut in half with the installation of solar panels. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the cost of a solar system varies with each home depending on its size and needs, but typically a system pays for itself in five years.
The youth from VOICES will not be trying to sell the homeowner anything. “They will be educating consumers about solar energy,” Tomlinson said. After the initial contact, San Francisco-based 1BOG takes over working with the potential client.
Tomlinson said homeowners will be as quick to jump on the solar bandwagon as have many of the valley’s wineries and other businesses. Still, many homeowners don’t fully grasp the savings they can gain from solar, according to Tomlinson.
As a nonprofit, Napa Valley Solar Partnership is not affiliated with any solar company or lender. Officials say it simply seeks to provide reliable information about solar power and financing options to reduce or eliminate upfront costs.
Dave Llonens, CEO of 1BOG, said the organization can help clients get a solar system for around 15 percent under market price.
“If successful, we would like to see this keep going. Create a pipeline to help young people get into the job market,” Tomlinson said.
