Municipalities who spearhead solar energy projects for their public facilities now can track these green investments from their computers.
Santa Barbara, Calif.-based Wiser Capital recently launched the nation’s first online marketplace that gives local governments the ability to determine their savings when utilizing solar for energy needs.
The web-based platform evaluates and matches stakeholders based on their qualifications and requirements. It consists of analytical tools, financial modeling and transaction services that objectively score performance risks any project presents.
Wiser Capital Principal Nathan Homan said the network enables public finance officers to track utility data through a “thorough investigation” of their energy usage with both monthly savings and utility expenses. Homan also explained that the program provides money and time savings for municipalities who otherwise would hire an outside consultant for solar energy initiatives.
“They can see how accurate the estimates of monthly savings are each month over a long period of time,” Homan explained. “It is a very educating process so it really helps the municipality really wrap their hands around it.”
Homan estimates the savings for a municipality using a web-based platform for learning about solar energy investments saves “in the thousands” versus what it costs to work with a consultant. A power purchasing agreement for Wiser’s service lasts for 20 years.
“It gives them a clear picture of what is achievable,” said Homan, a renewable energy expert who has worked in industry for past decade. “It’s very transparent.”
Homan said since the platform launched this past summer, Wiser has worked with more than a handful of California cities and a more aggressive marketing push is planned for next year to try and bring in municipalities from other states. He said there are already talks with “several” cities in California interested in this concept.
“It saves everyone a ton of time and energy,” he said. “What we are doing is trend-setting.”
