Comments on: Get Yer Free Solar: SolarCity Launches Leasing Program

By: Ron Winton

Ron Winton — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 06:53:19 +0000

When you lease a solar system you don’t get the new 30% tax credit or the huge cash rebate or the valuable RECs(renewable energy credits) and all you’d be lucky to save is about $25.00 a month on a typical $250.00 electric bill after going through all the trouble of being locked into a lease for all those years. And after more than 10 to 15 years of lease payments you will own absolutely nothing. You’re far better off to buy a system using traditional financing. Not only will you get all of the financial incentives mentioned above but you’ll also own a system with a 30 to 40 year life expectancy that will put cash into your pocket every month for another 20 to 30 years after you’ve paid the system off. And that’s even considering the replacement of the inverter after 12 to 15 years. Lease a solar system…..I don’t think so ! Buying one makes alot more sense. Why do you think the leasing companies BUY solar systems, take all of the financial incentives for themselves then turn around and lease systems to homeowners.

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By: Your Money Matters

Your Money Matters — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 23:44:03 +0000

This idea seems like a great solution for our energy crisis. I wish these programs were available in the Northeast.

By: Pamela R. Mousel

Pamela R. Mousel — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:29:05 +0000

Dear Sirs;
I live in the hi-desert community of Morongo Valley, CA. We have sun shine probably 350 days a year. We really want solar power for our home. We are all handicapped and already receive 2 (the maximum) small breaks in the cost of our electricity every month from So. Cal Edison. Two of us have oxygen producing machines, and we have an electric wheelchair and two electric scooters to charge all the time. We turned our house to all electric several years ago, to get rid of propane. Our bill is still several hundered ($200-$300) per month. We live on Social Security and REALLY need your help getting a free solar hook-up! We’d be willing to split the excess money sold back whatever it takes! We don’t have any “seed” money. PLEASE help us! There are people in Palm Springs ( about 25 miles away) who are using solar and earning like $500/per month!
Anxiously Awaiting Your Response,

Pamela R. Mousel

By: Solar Financier SunRun Scores a $12M Foundation « Earth2Tech

Solar Financier SunRun Scores a $12M Foundation « Earth2Tech — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:19:42 +0000

[...] entire solar systems for as low as $2,000 after rebates, or about the cost of a flat screen TV. SolarCity also offers a leasing program that uses the city’s rebates so customers don’t have to pay anything [...]

By: Elon Musk: Solar Will Be the Largest Source of Power in 30 Years « Earth2Tech

Thu, 22 May 2008 17:00:23 +0000

[...] is currently offering solar installations on rooftops for no down payment in certain locations. At the FiRe conference, Musk was joined onstage by Lyndon Rive the CEO of [...]

By: Akeena and Sun Run Team Up for Residential Solar « Earth2Tech

Akeena and Sun Run Team Up for Residential Solar « Earth2Tech — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:09:07 +0000

[...] Los Gatos, Calif.-based Akeena, one of the larger solar installers, has invested in creating an integrated racking and mounting system, and had previously not been using power purchase agreements to sell systems. San Francisco-based Sun Run has developed a business of selling fixed power rates amid rising energy costs and focuses on the residential market. Using PPAs to sell solar is popular in the commercial business, as Tioga Energy, MMA Rewnewables and Sun Edison all use that model, but not so in the residential space. Sun Run’s main competitor, SolarCity, offers solar lease agreements, allowing the startup to offer residential solar with no money down. [...]

By: Akeena and Sun Run Team Up for Residential Solar « Earth2Tech

Akeena and Sun Run Team Up for Residential Solar « Earth2Tech — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:34:51 +0000

[...] Los Gatos-Calif. Akeena, one of the larger solar installers, has invested in creating an integrated racking and mounting system, and had previously not been using power purchase agreements to sell systems. San Francisco-based Sun Run has developed a business of selling fixed power rates amid rising energy costs and focuses on the residential market. Using PPAs to sell solar is a growing business and Tioga Energy, MMA Rewnewables and Sun Edison all sell them but concentrate on the commercial market. Sun Run’s main competitor, SolarCity, has switched to offering solar lease agreements, allowing the startup to offer residential solar with no money down. [...]

By: Cali Cleantech Open Launches, Mayor Issues Challenge « Earth2Tech

Cali Cleantech Open Launches, Mayor Issues Challenge « Earth2Tech — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 21:03:39 +0000

[...] Mayor Reed took the opportunity to issue a challenge for the solar companies in the room, asking them “to bring to us a way to make it possible for the people of San Jose to install solar on their residences at no net cost,” and threw out a somewhat laughable deadline of 60 days “to figure it out.” With some good policies, it might not be so hard to start to work out the details — if San Francisco unfreezes its solar rebate program, SolarCity says it can install solar on San Francisco homes for no downpayment. [...]

By: Rory Gawler

Rory Gawler — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 18:06:18 +0000

Two questions:

1) These are tied into the grid, yes? I understand that there is a law requiring utilities to purchase power from individual producers, but not to the extent that it constitutes a net payment to the individual... Does the lease-nature of this agreement get around this? Does this company have agreements to allow it to produce surpluses and get paid for it?

2) Wouldn't such a subsidy be more effective outside of the San Fransisco area, such as in South Bay, where there is more consistent sunlight? I understand that San Fran itself is shrouded in fog for much of the year?