THIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO ENRICH ALL OF OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITIES AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

LIVE FROM MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, THIS IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" WITH JEFF SALKIN.

*] >> JEFF: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO YOUR "DIRECT CONNECTION."

COMING UP TONIGHT FEDERAL MONEY FOR GREEN ENERGY PROJECTS IS ENDING.

IS IT TOO LATE TO GET A TAX CREDIT HAD?

WE WILL FIND OUT.

FIRST TONIGHT, MARYLAND'S CRISIS HOTLINE FACES CHANGES WITH NEW LIMITS ON SPECIALIZED SUPPORT FOR LGBTQ POPULATIONS.

JOINING US ARE ADRIENNE BREIDENSTINE OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SYSTEM BALTIMORE AND TINA FIELD OF BALTIMORE CRISIS RESPONSE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

ADRIENNE IF I CAN BEGIN WITH YOU, GIVE US THE OVERVIEW OF 9-8-8 SYSTEM.

>> YEAH, SO WE HAVE A 9-8-8 HELP LINE THAT IS A THREE DIGIT NUMBER IT IS A NATIONAL HELP LINE THAT PEOPLE CAN CALL IF THEY NEED EMOTIONAL SUPPORT OR ACCESS TO RESOURCES AND THAT CAN BE ANYTHING FROM SUICIDE PREVENTION TO MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES TO ACCESS TO SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES.

AND OUR HELP LINE IS STRONG HERE IN MARYLAND BUT WE ARE EXPERIENCING SOME CHANGES.

AS YOU NOTED, JUST LAST MONTH, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ANNOUNCED THE CLOSURE OF THE 9-8-8 LGBTQ+ SUBNETWORK WHERE THE PRESS THREE OPTION AND THAT WILL BE CLOSING ACTUALLY LATER THIS WEEK ON JULY 17TH.

SO WE ARE DOING A LOT OF WORK TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COMMUNITY KNOWS ALTHOUGH THAT IS CHANGING FOR US, 9-8-8 IS STILL HERE TO HELP YOU.

WE ARE STILL HERE FOR EVERYBODY.

>> Jeff: HOW DOES THAT AFFECT OPERATIONS IN MARYLAND?

IF SOMEBODY CALLS IN, ARE THEY GREETED BY A VOICE MENU?

>> THEY ARE GREETED BY -- GO AHEAD.

>> WHEN SOMEBODY CALLS 9-8-8 THEY WILL HEAR A RECORDING TO PRESS 2 IF THEY ARE A SPANISH SPEAKER IF THEY DO PRESS 2 THEY WILL GET CONNECTED TO SOMEBODY WHO SPEAKS SPANISH.

AND THEN THEY ARE INVITED TO PRESS 1 IF THEY ARE A VETERANS AND VETERANS WILL GET CONNECTED TO CENTERS THAT SPECIALIZE IN VETERANS.

THEY WILL GET CONNECTED TO A GENERAL 9-8-8 CENTER THAT IS FILLED WITH TRAINED COUNSELORS WHO CAN PROVIDE THE SUPPORTIVE COUNSELING TO HELP PEOPLE STAY SAFE AND GET CONNECTED TO RESOURCES.

>> REALLY IMPORTANT THING TO NOTE BUILDING OFF WHAT TINA SAID YOU WILL BE CONNECTED WITH A LOCAL CALL CENTER IF YOU ARE IN MARYLAND AND CALLING 9-8-8 FOR HELP YOU WILL GET CONNECTED TO A CALL CENTER IN MARYLAND.

AND A SPECIALIST THAT KNOWS THE RESOURCES IN MARYLAND.

>> Jeff: QUESTION FOR BOTH OF YOU THEN.

HOW BIG A DEAL IS IT LOCALLY IF SOMEBODY CALLS FROM THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY AND THEY CAN NO LONGER PRESS 3?

>> I'LL START AND SAY WE WERE SADLY ANTICIPATING THIS CHANGE MIGHT BE COMING.

SO WE'VE BEEN PLANNING FOR IT IN THE BALTIMORE AREA IN CENTRAL MARYLAND FOR A WHILE.

THE ONE GOOD THING BECAUSE OF OUR EARLY PLANNING IS OUR HELP LINE IS READY TO CONTINUE TO HELP THAT COMMUNITY, THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY.

AND TINA CAN EXPAND MORE ON THE WAYS WE ARE PREPARED.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO WE ARE STAFFED UP, WE ARE READY.

WE KNOW THAT THESE CALLS ARE GOING TO COME TO US.

AND IT IS A LOSS FOR THE COMMUNITY TO NOT HAVE THIS DIRECT LINK AND WE KNOW THAT FOLKS IN THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY WILL WANT TO TEST US AND WANT TO KNOW THEY CAN TRUST 9-8-8 NOW.

AND I WANT FOLKS TO KNOW WE ARE READY OUR STAFF HAS -- WE ARE ACCEPTING WE ARE AFFIRMING OF ALL CALLERS WHO CALL US.

BUT OUR DESIRE IS TO HELP THEM STAY SAFE AND GET CONNECTED TO RESOURCES AND FEEL BETTER.

OUR STAFF ALL DO TRAININGS ABOUT LGBTQ SPECIFIC ISSUES AS WELL AS TRAININGS IN HOMELESSNESS, AND DRUG ABUSE AND ALL SORTS OF STUFF.

AND WE ARE LUCKY ENOUGH AT BALTIMORE CRISIS RESPONSE THAT I WAS ABLE TO BE PART OF THE PILOT WITH THE TREVOR PROJECT TO OFFER SPECIALIZED TRAINING TO OUR COUNSELORS IN SUICIDE PREVENTION SPECIFICALLY WITH LGBTQ YOUTH.

SO WE HAVE MORE TRAINING THAN MANY FOLKS MIGHT HAVE.

ALL 9-8-8 CENTERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY REQUIRE THEIR STAFF TO BE TRAINED IN LGBTQ ISSUES AND CULTURE HUMILITY AND SUPPORTIVE COLLABORATIVE COUNSELING WITH ANYBODY.

NO MATTER WHAT THEY BRING TO THE CALL THAT WE ARE THERE TO SUPPORT FOLKS FOR WHATEVER THEY ARE GOING THROUGH.

WHETHER IT IS IDENTITY ISSUES OR ISSUES WITH COMING OUT OR ISSUES WITH RELATIONSHIPS OR FAMILY OR FAITH COMMUNITIES OR NITD WE ARE THERE TO SUPPORT ALL OF IT NO MATTER WHO CALLS US.

>> THE OTHER GREAT THING ABOUT OUR CALL CENTER MANY CALL TAKERS HAVE LIVED EXPERIENCE.

MEANING THAT THEY HAVE DIRECT EXPERIENCE FOR EXAMPLE ADMINISTERING NARCAN OR WORKING THROUGH RECOVERY OR WE DO HAVE MEMBERS PART OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY WHO HAVE THEIR OWN UNIQUE LIVED EXPERIENCES.

>> Jeff: REMIND OUR VIEWERS IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION HOW THE 9-8-8 SYSTEM WORKS IN MARYLAND YOU CAN SEND US AN E-MAIL, LIVE QUESTIONS AT MPT.ORG.

TINA, YOU'RE IN MANAGEMENT AND ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO TAKES THE CALLS AND TAKEN A LOT OF CALLS.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND, YOUR TRAINING, YOUR EXPERIENCES IN WHAT HAS TO BE A TIMES VERY DIFFICULT, VERY STRESSFUL JOB.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO I'VE BEEN WORKING IN CRISIS SERVICES IN CENTRAL MARYLAND FOR ABOUT 11 YEARS.

THIS IS MY 11TH YEAR AND I STARTED AS A CRISIS COUNSELOR TAKING CALLS ON LOCAL HOTLINES AND WHAT BECAME THE 9-8-8 HOT LANE.

AND THOUGH I'VE MOVED UP INTO MANAGEMENT POSITION I DO STILL TAKE CALLS BECAUSE I WANT TO STAY CONNECTED TO OUR CALLERS AND STAFF TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE COMMUNITY WHO WE WORK WITH IS GOING THROUGH AND TO UNDERSTAND WHAT OUR STAFF IS GOING THROUGH.

I AM LUCKY TO HAVE A GOOD BALANCE OF BOTH.

AND THESE CALLS CAN BE HARD BUT THEY CAN ALSO BE INCREDIBLY REWARDING.

BECAUSE PEOPLE WHO CALL US ARE BRAVE THAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH HARD TIMES THEY ARE GOING THROUGH LOTS OF STRESS, LOTS OF CHALLENGES BUT THEY ARE BRAVE ENOUGH TO PICK UP THE PHONE AND TRUST US AS COUNSELORS WITH THEIR WORST DAY WITH THE HARD THINGS WITH SAFETY ISSUES, FAMILY ISSUES, RELATIONSHIP ISSUES.

AND SOMETIMES PEOPLE CALL US BECAUSE THEY ARE LONELY.

THEY CALL US FOR THE SOCIAL KENTUCKYION THAT SUPPORT, THAT AFFIRMING KIND OF VOICE ON THE OTHER END OF THE PHONE TO LET THEM KNOW THEY ARE NOT ALONE.

SO IT IS A CHALLENGING JOB, BUT IT IS INCREDIBLY REWARDING JOB TO KNOW WE CAN WORK WITH PEOPLE TO HELP THEM MOVE THROUGH THEIR HARD DAYS TO A PLACE OF RECOVERY, TO A PLACE OF SAFETY AND TO A PLACE WHERE THEY MAY NEVER NEED TO CALL US AGAIN WHERE THEY ARE MOVING INTO HEALING.

>> Jeff: THE WORD TRUST HAS COME UP WITH A COUPLE OF TIMES.

WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THEIR DATA, WHEN THEY CALL IN, AND THEY ARE HONEST ABOUT VARIOUS SITUATIONS?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, YOU REMAIN ANONYMOUS WHEN YOU CALL THE 9-8-8 HELP LINE.

YOU CAN CHOOSE TO GIVE YOUR NAME OR NOT.

WE HAVE AND WE DON'T COLLECT THAT INFORMATION.

AND THAT'S INTENTIONAL WHEN YOU CALL 9-8-8 HOTLINE TU FOR YOU AND YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF THAT CONVERSATION AND WHERE IT GOES.

AND THE CALL TAKERS ARE RESPONDING TO YOUR NEEDS.

IF YOU GIVE US A PRETEND NAME WE ARE GOING TO HELP YOU AND WHAT YOU SHARE IS UP TO YOU.

>> Jeff: ARE YOU BURDENEDDALITY ALL BY PEOPLE WHO CALL FOR SOMEBODY TO TALK TO?

>> NO.

IT IS NOT A BURDEN WE WANT TO TALK TO PEOPLE WHO ARE LONELY.

WE WANT TO TALK TO PEOPLE BEFORE THEY ARE IN CRISIS OR BEFORE THEY ARE HAVING THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE AND WE WILL TALK TO PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE WE ARE TRAINED AND READY TO HAVE THE CONVERSATIONS IN A SUPPORTIVE COLLABORATIVE WAY.

BUT WE WANT PEOPLE TO TALK ABOUT ANYTHING.

IF THEY WAKE UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND FEELING ANXIOUS THEY HAD A BAD DREAM A FIGHT WITH THEIR PARTNER GIVE US A CALL AND TALK IT THROUGH.

IF THE YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO GET YOUR NEXT MEAL IF YOU ARE FACING EVICTION, IF YOU'RE PET IS ILL YOU CAN CALL US AND TALK ABOUT ANYTHING.

AND IT'S ABSOLUTELY NOT A BURDEN.

WE ARE READY FOR ALL OF IT.

OUR COUNSELORS HAVE TRAINING ACROSS THE GAMUT OF HUMAN EXPERIENCE AND IF WE ARE NOT AN EXPERT WE CAN LEARN FROM THE CALLER BY ASKING THEM TELL ME WHAT THAT MEANS TO YOU AND WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE IN YOUR LIFE AND HOW CAN THIS PIECE OF YOUR LIFE BE USED AS A PART OF YOUR RECOVERY, BE USED AS PART OF SOMETHING THAT HELPS YOU STAY SAFE.

NO CALLER IS A BURDEN.

>> Jeff: I WANTED TO ASK ABOUT ACCESS TO SERVICES.

CERTAINLY, THERE'S BEEN CUTS IN DIFFERENT LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT.

IF SOMEBODY HAS URGENT SITUATION IN NEED OF ADDICTION COUNSELING MAYBE INPATIENT, IS IT THERE THESE DAYS?

>> YES.

IT IS ABSOLUTELY THERE.

9-8-8 HAS A DATABASE OF RESOURCES TO GET PEOPLE CONNECTED TO THE SERVICES THEY NEED.

WE ARE ABLE TO COLLABORATE WITH MOBILE CRISIS TEAMS TO COME OUT TO PEOPLE'S HOMES, WORKPLACES TO PARKS TO PUBLIC PLACES TO MEET WITH PEOPLE AND DO AN ASSESSMENT IN REALTIME FACE-TO-FACE.

WE ALSO HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE REFERRALS TO PLACES LIKE SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT LIKE YOU MENTIONED TO INPATIENT PROVIDERS TO OUTPATIENT PROVIDERS TO CRISIS STABILIZATION CENTERS THAT WE HAVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH MANY PROVIDERS IN THE COMMUNITY WHERE WE CAN GET PEOPLE IN QUICKLY.

SOMETIMES IN HOURS WEIGH CAN GET PEOPLE INTO PLACES LIKE INPATIENT TREATMENT OR WE CAN GET SOMEBODY INTO OUTPATIENT TREATMENT WITHIN A DAY OR TWO.

WE HELP FOLKS GET CONNECTED AND THEN WE'LL FOLLOW-UP TO MAKE SURE THEY DID GET CONNECTED WE WILL MAKE THAT REFERRAL ON THE PHONE AND DO THAT CONNECTION ON THE PHONE AND ASK IF IT IS OKAY WE CALL THEM BACK TO SEE HOW IT'S GOING IF THEY LIKED THE PROVIDER IF THEY DID GET CONNECTED IF THEY WERE ABLE TO GET THE SERVICES AND HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT THEM.

>> Jeff: TINA, I'M CURIOUS WHAT YOU'VE LEARNED IN YEARS OF TALKING TO PEOPLE WITH MAJOR DIFFICULTIES.

AND I'M NOT ASKING YOU TO TURN US INTO TRAINED COUNSELORS BUT ON A HUMAN TO HUMAN BASIS SOMEBODY COMES ACROSS STRANGER, FAMILY MEMBER, WHATEVER WHO IS HAVING TOUGH TIMES, MAYBE ONE THING YOU SHOULD DO ONE THING YOU SHOULDN'T DO?

>> THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION.

THE ONE THING YOU SHOULD DO IS ASK HOW THEY ARE DOING ASK IF THEY ARE OKAY.

I'M NOTICING SOMETHING DIFFERENT ABOUT YOU WHAT IS GOING ON.

I'M WORRIED ABOUT YOU.

I CARE ABOUT YOU.

CAN WE TALK AND BEING CURIOUS AND ASKING WE ALL KNOW OUR PEOPLE WE KNOW THE PEOPLE WE'RE CLOSE TO WE KNOW WHEN SOMETHING IS DIFFERENT.

ASKING JENTSLY IN A SUPPORTIVE WAY.

WHAT NOT TO DO?

MAYBE BEING JUDGEY ABOUT IT OR TELLING THEM SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH YOU I THINK WE NEED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL.

MAYBE THEY NEED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL BUT EASE INTO IT.

START OUT SLOWLY, JENTSLY IF YOU ARE NOT SURE HOW TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION, YOU CAN ALSO CALL 9-8-8 AND TALK TO US ABOUT IT.

YOU CAN SAY I'M SEEING MY LOVED ONE DOING THIS DIFFERENTLY.

I'M SEEING TEAR SLEEPING A LOT THEY ARE NOT EATING THEY ARE NOT GOING TO WORK OR SHOWERING OR THEY ARE SPENDING ALL THEIR MONEY IN A DAY.

THEY ARE LOSING MORE SUBSTANCES THAN THEY USED I'M WORRIED WHAT SHOULD I DO.

AND 9-8-8 WILL HELP YOU THROUGH THAT AS WELL.

WE ARE THERE FOR THE PEOPLE THAT LOVE THEM AS WELL AND THE PEOPLE THAT SUPPORT THEM AS WELL.

>> Jeff: TIME FORTE SENTENCE WHAT ARE CALL VOLUMES LIKE?

>> SO IN CENTRAL MARYLAND WE GET ON AVERAGE 4500 CALLS A MONTH AND THE GREAT THING ABOUT US IS WE PICK UP THE PHONE QUICKLY.

ON AVERAGE WE'RE ANSWERING THE PHONE IN 20 SECONDINGS.

SO WE DO NOT HAVE PEOPLE WAITING WHICH I THINK IS PHENOMENAL AND SPEAKS TO AGAIN HOW WE HAVE BEEN PREPARING FOR THIS AND WE WANT 9-8-8 TO BE A TRUSTED, CONFIDENTIAL RESOURCE THAT PEOPLE WILL CONTINUE TO USE.

>> Jeff: ADRIENNE BREIDENSTINE AND TINA FIELD GREAT CONVERSATION WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Jeff: NOW, SOLAR ENERGY CREDITS ARE BEING CUT WE TALKED ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THAT WITH WYATT EVERHART OF SOLAR ENERGY WORLD.

WYATT, TELL US ABOUT YOUR COMPANY AND WHERE ALL THOSE SOLAR PANTS ARE GOING?

PARTIALS ARE PANELS ARE GOING.

>> YOU SEE THE SOLAR ENERGY WORLD HEADQUARTERS.

WE HAVE BEEN AROUND SINCE 2009 UP IN ELK RIDGE AS WE GREW OVER THE YEARS WE SHIFTED TO THE BIGGER BUILDING HERE IN LAUREL.

JUST A COMPANY THAT HAS BEEN LOCALLY BASED AND EXPANDED TO SOME OF THE SURROUNDING AREA NORTHERN VIRGINIA UP INTO NEW JERSEY DELAWARE AND PENNSYLVANIA ONE OFFICE DOWN IN CENTRAL FLORIDA.

>> Jeff: BIG CHANGES COMING TO THE SOLAR ENERGY BUSINESS IN THE REPUBLICAN RECONCILIATION BILL THAT WAS JUST PASSED.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR POTENTIAL RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS AND COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS?

>> YEAH, THE BIG BILL HAS PASSED AND BECOME LAW AND LOOKING AT THE FINAL PRODUCT THAT WAS SIGNED INTO LAW BIG IMPACTS TO THE SOLAR INDUSTRY NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.

THE BIG ONE FOR RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS TO KNOW IF YOU ARE INTERESTED POTENTIALLY IN PURCHASING A SOLAR SYSTEM FOR YOUR HOME, TO GET THE FULL FEDERAL TAX CREDIT OR THE ITC AS IT'S KNOWN, 30% BACK TO YOU AT TAX TIME, BASED ON THE YEAR OF INSTALLATION, NOW IS REALLY THE TIME TO LOOK INTO SOLAR TO THINK ABOUT TAKING ACTION TOWARD MOVING AHEAD.

BECAUSE YOU NEED TO BE INSTALLED THIS CALENDAR YEAR TO TAKE THE 2025 TAX CREDIT AND THAT WILL BE THE LAST YEAR THAT INDIVIDUAL HOMEOWNERS CAN TAKE THAT 30% BACK UNCAPPED ON BOTH SOLAR SYSTEMS AND SOLAR PLUS BATTERY SYSTEMS.

COMMERCIAL INSTARATION IS DIFFERENT RUNWAY, 12 MONTHS I BELIEVE TO START CONSTRUCTION AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES WITH THINGS LIKE SOLAR LEASING DOWN THE LINE THAT WILL STAY INTACT.

BUT FOR PURCHASING AS A HOMEOWNER THIS IS THE TIME TO DO IT.

>> Jeff: DO WE HAVE STATE LEVEL INCENTIVES IN MARYLAND IN ADDITION TO THE FEDS?

>> MARYLAND HAS OFFERED DIFFERENT INCENTIVE PACKAGES AND INCREASED IT FOR 2025 BASED ON INCOME AND OTHER THINGS YOU CAN GET UP TO $7500 BACK ON A HOME SOLAR INSTALLATION.

THE STATE HAS BEEN CHANGING WHETHER THAT WILL BE CONTINUALLY FUNDED THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR, STAYING TUNED ON THAT FRONT.

THERE ARE ALSO COUNTY INCENTIVES, ANNE ARUNDEL, OFFERING SPECIFIC COUNTY INCENTIVES IT DEPENDS WHERE YOU ARE.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE DO IS LOOK AT YOUR LOCATION, ZIP CODE AND SEE WHAT PACKAGES YOU MIGHT QUALIFY FOR.

>> Jeff: IF SOMEBODY WATCHING HAS AN AVERAGE HOME IN AN AVERAGE PART OF THE STATE WITH AN AVERAGE ROOF AND ALL THAT, WHAT ARE THE NUMBERS LIKE?

WHAT WOULD YOUR TYPICAL INSTALLATION COST?

WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 30% BACK FROM THE FEDS WHAT DOES THAT REALLY MEAN?

>> IT VARIES A LOT HOME BY HOME, OF COURSE.

BUT WE CAN TALK ABOUT AVERAGES.

THE AVERAGE HOME SOLAR SYSTEM HERE FROM SOLAR ENERGY WORLD ALL OVER MARYLAND AND THE DC REGION CAN BE AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 30,000 DOLLARS BEFORE ALL THE INCENTIVES.

MANY CUSTOMERS FINANCE UP TO 100% AND MAKE A LOW PAYMENT THAT CREATES $9,000 BACK TO YOU AT TAX TIME.

BATTERY SYSTEMS.

THOSE ALSO QUALIFY FOR 30% BACK.

THE TIE IN TO THE SOLAR SYSTEMS.

IT'S SIGNIFICANT.

IN 2019 WE WENT FROM 36% TO 26%.

THE AVERAGE SYSTEM 1400 BACK AND THIS YEAR UPWARDS OF 9,000 ON AN AVERAGE SYSTEM.

IT IS SIGNIFICANT THE AMOUNT OF MONEY IN PLAY HERE FOR THOSE CONSIDERING SHIFTING TO SOLAR FROM WHAT IS BECOMING MORE EXPENSIVE UTILITY POWER.

>> Jeff: WHAT SHOULD HOMEOWNER STARTING POINT.

WHAT SHOULD THEY KNOW?

IS THERE A SITUATION THAT IS A NO GO YOUR HOUSE IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FOREST AND YOU NEVER SEE SUNSHINE VERSUS WIDE OPEN BIG ROOF, WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO START THINKING ABOUT?

>> IF YOUR HOME HAS GOOD ACCESS TO THE SUN.

AND THAT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO LOOK AT.

IN THE FIRST CALL WE LOOK AT THE SATELLITE PICTURES DO YOU HAVE LARGE TREES TO THE SOUTH SIDE OF YOUR HOME OR THE EAST AND WEST SIDES.

SOLAR MAY NOT MAKE SENSE.

SOMETIMES WE CAN TRIM A TREE AND THAT WILL HELP.

THERE ARE TIMES WHERE IT MIGHT NOT WORK.

IN MOST CASES IN MARYLAND, SOLAR WILL MAKE SENSE IF YOU HAVE AN UNSHADED ROOF FACING SOUTHEAST OR WEST.

AND THE BIGGEST THING FOR PEOPLE TO CONSIDER WHAT WILL YOU PAY IF YOU DON'T GO SOLAR IF WE CAN SAVE YOU $200 A MONTH ON ELECTRICAL SPENDING THAT IS 2400 A YEAR.

IN 10 YEARS, NOT EVEN ACCOUNTING FOR INCREASES YOU WILL HAVE SPENT 24,000 ON POWER TO THE UTILITY AND NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO SHOW FOR IT.

WE SAY TO EVERYONE IF THE OPPORTUNITY IS THERE AND YOUR HOME IS A GOOD CANDIDATE IT MAKES SENSE TO HAVE THAT PAID FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT AND FREE POWER COMING FROM THE SUN.

>> Jeff: I WOULD GUESS THAT THIS IS AN AVERAGE PART OF THE COUNTRY IN TERMS OF THE AMOUNT AND STRENGTHS OF THE SUNSHINE WE GET.

IT IS NOT NEVADA BUT IT'S NOT ALASKA, EITHER?

>> I THINK THAT IS CORRECT.

THE CENTRAL EAST COAST FROM NEW JERSEY DOWN THROUGH VIRGINIA WHERE WE DO A TREMENDOUS NUMBER OF INSTALLATIONS MARYLAND BEING THE HEART OF THAT, WE GET GOOD SOLAR ACCESS NUMBERS.

SITE QUALITY LEVELS CAN BE UPWARDS OF 12 TO 1300 IN SOME CASES DOWN IN FLORIDA THOSE NUMBERS CAN GET TO 14 AND 1500.

IT CAN GET BETTER FURTHER SOUTH BUT WE SEE SOLAR INSTALLED THAT THE RAYS POINT SOUTH ALL THE WAY UP TO MICHIGAN AND MAINE.

IT CAN WORK THROUGHOUT MOST OF THE U.S.

THROUGH MOST OF THE YEAR.

AND HERE IN MARYLAND WE DON'T GET THAT MANY SNOW DAYS WHEN YOUR PANELS ARE COVERED UP.

IF IT HAPPENS THEY MELT IN A MATTER OF DAYS.

>> Jeff: PEOPLE MAYBE THINKING ABOUT THE FREQUENT POWER OUTAGES ESPECIALLY THIS TIME OF YEAR, THUNDERSTORMS ON A REGULAR BASIS.

TO WHAT DEGREE CAN HOME ELECTRICITY GENERATION BE USED TO RUN THE HOUSE.

YOU MENTIONED YOU SELL POWER WALLS.

IS THAT NECESSARY TO BE ABLE TO RUNOFF THE GRID?

>> THAT IS A GREAT POINT.

SOMETHING THAT THE AVERAGE PERSON DOESN'T KNOW OR IS BEGINNING TO LOOK INTO SOLAR, THEY MAY SAY, OKAY IT SOUNDS GREAT, THE ELECTRICAL SAVINGS BASED ON THE POWER I GENERATE FROM MY ROOF, BUT WHAT ABOUT BACK UP WHEN THE POWER GOES OUT?

BY DEFAULT A SOLAR INSTALLATION IN MARYLAND AND ACROSS THE EAST COAST IS DESIGNED TO SHUT DOWN WITH THE GRID.

IF THE DWRID GOES OUT FOR ELECTRICAL SAFETY, THE SOLAR ALSO SHUTS OFF.

WHEN IT COMES BACK ON IT POWERS UP.

IF YOU ADD A BATTERY SYSTEM A POWER WALL OR A DIFFERENT TYPE OF BATTERY WALL THAT WE CAN PROVIDE YOU FROM SOLAR ENERGY WORLD THERE ARE SEVERAL BRANDS AND MANUFACTURERS YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A SITUATION WHERE IF THE POWER GOES OUT YOU ARE INSTANTLY RUNNING OFF YOUR BATTERY SYSTEMS FOR THE CIRCUITS YOU TIED INTO THE WALLS.

WE HAVE PLENTY OF CUSTOMERS RAVED ABOUT THE FIRST TIME THEY LOST POWER THE BATTERIES KICKED ON AND THEY GET AN ALERT ON THEIR PHONE APP LETTING THEM KNOW THE GRID HAD GONE DOWN AND ADVANTAGES OVER GENERATORS WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE THE EXHAUST AND NOISE AND NOT THE MAINTENANCE IT'S SEAMLESS ONCE WE HAVE IT INSTALLED.

>> Jeff: HOW ABOUT ZONING CONCERNS I LIVE WITH A STRONG HOA AND THAT WOULD BE ONE QUESTION AND I WAS TALKING TO A FRIEND CONSIDERING SOLAR OFF THE ROOF IN A JURISDICTION WHERE IT CAN'T BE VISIBLE FROM THE STREET.

ARE THOSE REAL CONCERNS?

>> SO TWO DIFFERENT THINGS THERE.

TAKE THE LAST ONE FIRST TALKING ABOUT A HISTORIC AREA SOMETIMES LIKE TACOMA PARK MARYLAND WE HAVE TO GET SPECIAL PERMITTING WITH THE HISTORIC SOCIETY SOMETIMES OR TYPICALLY WE ARE SUCCESSFUL AT DOING THAT.

BUT IT CAN ADD SOMETIME TO THE PROJECT.

ANOTHER REASON NOT TO DELAY ESPECIALLY IN THOSE AREAS AND YOU WANT TO GET THIS YEAR'S TAX CREDIT AND HOA'S IN MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA SOMETHING CALLED SOLAR ACCESS LAWS PASSED BY THE STATES, MANDATE THE HOA GRANT US THAT PERMISSION WITHOUT UNDUE RESTRICTIONS THEY MIGHT WANT ALL BLACK PANELS OR HIDE THE CONDUIT WORK.

BUT THEY CAN'T DENY THE SOLAR APPLICATION.

>> Jeff: ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CHANGED OVER THE YEARS IN A POSITIVE WAY FOR HOMEOWNERS, COMMERCIAL INSTALLATIONS IS THE COST OF THE PANELS THEMSELVES AND THE EFFICIENCY OF THE PANTS HAS IMPROVED A LOT, HAS IT NOT?

>> IT HAS.

JUST SEVEN YEARS AGO A LOT OF PANNELLS WERE NOT 300 WATTS PER PANEL.

WE WILL WELL OVER 400 WATTS OF PANEL HUGE INCREASE IN POWER PER PANEL MORE POWER OFF THE SAME AMOUNT OF ROOF SPACE AND A FASTER RETURN ON INVESTMENT FOR YOU.

IF ANYTHING, THE PRICE HAS STAYED FLAT OR GONE DOWN SLIGHTLY.

IT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE ARE PROGRAMS OUT THERE TO HELP THOSE AT DIFFERENT INCOME LEVELS AS WELL AS DIFFERENT TYPES OF FINANCING PROGRAMS YOU CAN DO THIS WITH NO MONEY UP FRONT IS SOMETHING THAT IS GREAT TO LOOK INTO.

ESPECIALLY IF YOU'VE FEEL LIKE THE POWER BILLS ARE GETTING TO BE A BIT MUCH FOR YOU.

>> Jeff: WHAT DO YOU ALL EXPECT TO HAPPEN NOW THAT THE LAW HAS PASSED AND SIGNED AND THERE IS A DEADLINE ARE YOU EXPECTING A LITTLE BIT OF A GOLD RUSH BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF THE YEAR?

AND CAN YOU HANDLE IT?

I WOULD THINK YOU HAVE A NUMBER OF EXPERIENCED INSTALLERS, AND YOU ARE GOING TO RUN INTO A CAPACITY PROBLEM AT SOME POINT?

>> GREAT QUESTION.

THE GOOD NEWS IS THIS WAS SOMEWHAT WELL ADVERTISED BACK IN THE SPRING WE STARTED SEEING INDICATIONS THAT THE SOLAR CREDITS MAYBE REDUCED.

WE DIDN'T KNOW IT WOULD GO FROM 30% TO ZERO.

WE EXPECTED A SURGE OUT OF THE SUM AMERICA INTO THE END OF THE YEAR.

IT HAS CHANGED.

IT'S GOTTEN LOWER DOWN TO ZERO.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT IS A SURGE IN BUSINESS THAT HAS ALREADY BEGUN AS OF THE MONDAY AFTER JULY 4TH WHEN THE BILL WAS SIGNED WE HAVE SEEN TREMENDOUS INCREASE IN CALL VOLUME AND APPOINTMENTS WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO INSTALL SEVERAL HUNDRED HOMES PER MONTH WE FEEL CONFIDENT THAT ANYONE WHO MEETS WITH US WE WILL BE ABLE TO GUARANTEE THAT INSTALLATION THIS YEAR ASSUMING YOU SIGN UP BEFORE THE END OF THE SUMMER THAT SHOULD BE RELATIVELY SAFE.

BEYOND THAT YOU START GETTING DOWN TO THE DEADLINE.

REMEMBER ONCE YOU SIGN UP FOR A SOLAR PROJECT WE NEED TO GET YOUR ENGINEERING COMPLETED AND ALL THE PERMITTING DONE, ELECTRICALLY WITH YOUR COUNTY, SOMETIMES THERE ARE PERMITS WITH THE HOA.

THIS TAKES SEVERAL MONTHS YOU DON'T WANT TO GET TO THE TAIL-END OF THE YEAR AND TRYING TO GET THE 2025 TAX CREDIT.

>> Jeff: WYATT EVERHART WITH SOLAR ENERGY WORLD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH GREAT TO BE WITH YOU HERE ON MPT.

>> Jeff: AND THAT IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" FOR THIS WEEK WE'RE BACK FRIDAY WITH "STATE CIRCLE" AND THE LATEST ON MARYLAND POLITICS JOIN US FRIDAY EVENINGALITY 7:00 P.M. YOU CAN SEE PAST EDITIONS AT VIDEO.MPT.TV.

FOR ALL OF US AT MPT THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.