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d <br />'South ,�e�a� <br />What is Solarize South Bend? <br />To Participate, Attend a Workshop This Summer: <br />July 19th., Aug. 5th., or Aug. 17th <br />■ A short-term, community -driven initiative to organize homeowners and businesses to <br />leverage their buying power and receive a discount on their solar photovoltaic systems, <br />while providing education and resources to simplify the process of going solar. <br />■ Powered by volunteers and community members <br />■ Guidance provided by the South Bend Office of Sustainability and the Michiana Area <br />Council of Governments, <br />Why Solarize Now? <br />■ The Mayor of South Bend signed the Mayor's National Climate Action Agenda in June <br />2017. Solarize is a quick strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while accelerating <br />the transition to clean energy, facilitated by individual action. <br />■ Cities across Indiana have or are launching Solarize initiatives in July 2017: Goshen, <br />Elkhart, Indianapolis, Evansville, Carmel, Columbus, Muncie, and Bloomington. <br />■ South Bend will soon earn "solar -friendly" community designation from the <br />Department of Energy SolSmart program due to efforts to streamline City processes and <br />remove barriers to solar development. <br />■ Recent state policy changes to net metering start to take effect for systems installed <br />after Dec. 31, 2017. Systems installed before that date have the most financial value. <br />What are the Benefits of a Solarize Campaign? <br />1. Make solar even more affordable: Receive below-market pricing through a negotiated <br />discount (historically 10-15%). Reduce utility bills for decades. <br />2. Educate and Build Awareness: Dispel myths about viability and cost, reduce complexity for <br />consumers to navigate permitting, utility interconnection, financing, etc. <br />3. Mobilization: Harness social networks to catalyze solar installations before year-end. <br />4. Demonstrate Power of Local Action: Go farther together. A successful Solarize campaign <br />requires a grassroots effort to scale up. <br />5. Leverage Partnerships: Collaboration with the Michiana Area Council of Governments <br />(MACOG), South Bend Office of Sustainability, faith groups, neighborhood associations, <br />non -profits and other community leaders will magnify the impact. <br />6. Support Local Jobs: Solarize initiatives stimulate demand for solar and support the <br />developing local solar industry. <br />Contact: Leah Thill, So/Smart Technical Advisor for South Bend, 574-287-1829 x 801 Ithill@solsmart.org <br />