How to get Free Solar Panels for Life
The solar panel market has opened up for homeowners and businesses interested in generating their own green power with these alternative energy solutions. However, purchasing and installing a solar power system can be costly and the return on investment can be as long as 20 years.
Solar Panel Costs are declining and the technology is improving…
Advancements in solar technology, manufacturing efficiencies, government incentives and rebates to promote alternative energy have helped to reduce the costs of solar panels. However, companies that specialize in solar installations have introduced much better alternatives that reduce or eliminate all out of pocket expenses and maintenance responsibilities to home or building owners interested in generating power with solar panels.
Free solar panels are even better…
To meet the demand for the booming interest in solar power, companies have structured special agreements to provide a home or building owner with all of the power produced by the solar panels on their roof, while freeing the end user from any of the headaches and costs associated with purchasing or installing their solar power systems. The added benefit is that the end user gets to lock-in an electric rate for an extended period of time, typically below current market rates.
While solar energy is an effective way to provide electricity, the initial cost of getting started is daunting. Once you purchase the panels, you must pay a contractor to install them. On top of the starter costs of a personal solar platform, home and building owners face ongoing maintenance fees to keep the panels clean and running properly.
So, instead of buying your own solar panels, why not use someone else’s. This eliminates the upfront costs of equipment and installation while giving you all the benefits of clean, green energy and reduced electric rates. But, how is that possible?…
A New Take on Solar
Would you consider putting solar panels on your roof if you could produce clean, green energy from the shining rays of the sun, with no out of pocket expenses at all?…
Well, Solar Leasing and Power Purchase Agreements(PPA) expand the options available to provide clean energy to a home or commercial building, without all the costs of purchasing and installing the solar panels. Understanding how each program works will help you determine which option is viable for you.
Both PPA and solar leasing allows home and building owners to purchase clean, green electricity, produced by solar panels on the roofs of their home or building, without actually owning the solar equipment. Via these two options, you can reap the benefits of solar power panels with less hassle. You get the financial and environmental benefits of solar power but without all the cost.
PPA(Power Purchase Agreements) and solar leasing are very similar, but there are a few key differences to note.
Solar Leasing
How it works:
Solar leasing requires you to pay one fixed fee to get energy for your home. This option allows homeowners to budget properly. There is no guesswork in a solar leasing program. If the contract states you must pay a $50 dollars a month service fee, that is all you pay regardless of how much energy you get from the array. You are paying to lease the panels the company installs.
Solar Leasing program details to consider:
With solar leasing, there may be no down payment but the service fee cost can increase each year by as much as four percent. With leasing, you may be responsible for maintenance fees on the equipment, as well. The agreement is for at least 15 years and will transfer to the next buyer of your home or building.
PPA – How it works:
A Power Purchase Agreement(PPA) allows you to pay only for the energy the panels produce. This means the monthly bill will vary, but you will not pay for energy that you don’t need.
PPA program details to consider:
With a PPA program, you may have to make a down payment on the equipment. The service provider can require a contract that extends for 15 to 18 years, but will maintain the equipment for the length of the agreement. The agreement is transferable in the event you sell your home or building.
Advantages of Third Party Solar Programs
With a solar leasing program or PPA, you can have solar power even if you can’t afford the hardware. The company will install the panels and deal with obtaining the proper permits for the solar panel installations.
With both programs, the local utility company will bill you for any energy used in excess of the solar power. If solar covers 50 percent of the electricity in your home, the utility company will fill in the rest.
National companies like Sunrun, Sungevity and Solar City work in conjunction with the local utility companies to offer these programs throughout the country. There are also hundreds of local solar companies that can offer you these same programs. So, next time you see a billboard or advertisement that says “Free Solar Panels”, you just might want to give them a call.
Click here to learn what makes one unique solar installation company stand out from the rest of the industry.