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Leasing the Sun: An Innovative Business Model from Sungevity

by Planet Forward | 8:26 pm November 18th, 2010 | 7 Comments »

Last month we test drove Nissan’s Leaf…this month, we show you one way you may be able to afford solar panels with zero upfront costs. Check out our piece on PBS’s Nightly Business Report and let us know what you think of Planet Forward member Danny Kennedy’s business model.

Categories: Business, Efficiency, Engineering, Green Building, Green Living, Solar
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7 Responses to “Leasing the Sun: An Innovative Business Model from Sungevity”


  1. On November 22nd, 2010 at 1:07 pm Dennis Griffin Said:

    Residential Solar as an Investment

    We seem to overlook the obvious when it comes to renewable energy, specifically residential solar as an investment.

    In today’s market what would you think of an investment that had the following characteristics?
    • An investment with an effective return of 7 -10% on your money year after year with little or no risk
    • An investment that is hedged and will increase returns with any increase in energy costs
    • A capital investment that retains its value and has a projected useful life of 25 years with no significant maintenance costs
    • An investment that improves the security of the United States
    • An investment that makes a statement to future generations that we truly are concerned about their future

    Such is the nature of a residential solar system.

    The PACE Program which was recently killed by Fannie & Freddie was a program designed to allow consumers to finance residential solar by taking a loan against their future property taxes.

    But why finance a residential solar system when you can make it the best investment in your portfolio? Solar companies offer leasing programs because it is a good investment.

    Residential solar should be the new appliance that we can’t live without and can’t afford not to have.


  2. On November 22nd, 2010 at 3:15 pm Milt Said:

    This is a great idea. We live where we have a co-op for our electricity, and each month we pay $ 25 as a basic fee – without using any electricity. That covers the cost of the co-op bringing in the electrical wire and hooking up to our meter. In essence, they are financing the cost of bringing that to our home, since there was no upfront charge to run the 500 feet of cable underground, and install a transformer. Any one who lives in the city has – in effect – the same setup – the upfront cost of providing the electrical hook up to your house has been amortized over many years, and you pay it as part of your electrical bill.

    This is an extension of the same system, and could have been done many years ago by the electric companies, but since they are not doing it, I think this is a wonderful opportunity to get solar at your house – right now! So do they finance setups in Northern Minnesota?

    Milt Lee


  3. On November 22nd, 2010 at 11:36 pm Eric Wilson Said:

    A few months ago we (at 2nd Green Revolution) wrote about a plan in Colorado called Solar Gardens, another way to defray costs of solar.

    http://2ndgreenrevolution.com/2010/09/03/solar-gardens-allow-for-easy-ownership-of-photovoltaic-systems/


  4. On December 30th, 2010 at 11:52 pm Ed Hughot Said:

    Congratulations!!! At last, someone is doing something constructive to save our environment. And just in time, considering that fuel costs are headed toward $5/gal for gasoline.

    Now I have an elderly friend with a very nice house in Woodside, CA. It is comfortably, but obsolete technology and escalating costs for gas are driving her up the wall. I feel that she would benefit from some kind of a solar heating conversion. Can you offer some tips or suggestions for maybe making this happen?

    Ed Hughot
    Menlo Park, CA 94025


  5. On April 9th, 2011 at 1:21 am Fran Stein Said:

    Hello,
    Who should I contact to get this solar system put on our new house here in Maryland?
    Hope to hear from you soon.
    Fran


  6. On April 13th, 2011 at 2:10 pm Jeff Said:

    Hi Fran,

    Thanks for your interest in our solar offer. Please feel free to contact me direct at 510-496-5579 or at jchagaris@sungevity. I would be happy to provide you a quote and details.

    Jeff


  7. On April 13th, 2011 at 2:13 pm Jeff Said:

    Hi Ed,

    Please let your friend know that they can request a quote online at http://www.sungevity.com or contact us direct at 866-SUN-4ALL. Thanks,

    Jeff

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