California and Michigan, USA – In California and New Jersey, two solar companies are testing new solar energy leasing programs, recognizing that the upfront cost of installing solar energy is a real stumbling block to adoption.
In California, SolarWorld Americas announced that it has created a new program, SolarWorld Financial Solutions, to let potential customers access solar without putting money down. SolarWorld says that its authorized dealers and their customers in select Western states can now lease its Sunkits solar systems or defer payment until state and federal incentives can be realized. Commercial customers and not-for-profit organizations can select among various leases or a power purchase agreements (PPAs). Details about which banks are providing the capital were not disclosed but SolarWorld said that it hopes to have an announcement about at least one of the strategic partners involved with the program soon.
Michigan-based, United Solar announced a pilot program taking place on the east coast in which 30 New Jersey residents will be able to lease its BIPV products at low monthly rates.
Under the program, NJR Home Services (NJRHS), an unregulated subsidiary of New Jersey Resources, a home appliance installation and service company, will install Uni-Solar's integrated PV modules on about 30 residential homes as part of a solar lease program. NJRHS will cover the upfront installation and maintenance costs and then lease the solar panels to homeowners for $8.66 per kilowatt installed.
The average size system for the pilot program is expected to be three-kilowatts with a fixed monthly lease payment price of $26 over a 20-year period.
This pilot program is also the first time that customers will be able to install Uni-Solar's BIPV product called the PowerShingle or CertainTeed Corporation's product EnerGen that uses Uni-Solar's modules. Both the PowerShingle and EnerGen are Building-integrated PV products that install directly on the rooftop in some cases replacing traditional rooftop shingles with PV, requiring no rooftop penetrations. Uni-Solar said in its press release that it will work with its partners to decide which new solar product, PowerShingle or EnerGen, will go on each roof.
--
Scott's Contracting
scottscontracting@gmail.com
http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com
http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com
scotty@stlouisrenewableenergy.com
I don't understand. If the Uni-Solar modules just stop working (or, worse, ignite, like on the rooftop of the Long Beach Convention Center in February of 2008) will the residents still be required to pay $8.66 per kilowatt installed each and every month for the remainder of the 20 years? Or, alternatively, who is going to reimburse the residents for the ugly roof after two years (see the pictures here: http://picasaweb.google.com/fan.of.ecd/FloridaInternationalUniversitySolarInDistress )
ReplyDeleteThe facts are:
1. Uni-Solar "residential" solar shingle SHR-17 was taken off the market in 2007 as it lost its UL certification ( http://www.nooutage.com/shr-17.htm ). So, the fate of the "new" PowerShingle is far from certain.
2. Energen Corporation sued CertainTeed and the parent of Uni-Solar, ECD, for trademark infringement earlier this year ( http://www.rfcexpress.com/lawsuit.asp?id=53843 ), which is probably the reason why no EnerGen BIPV "product" is available for purchase right now anywhere in the United States, despite Uni-Solar still claiming availability since Spring of 2010 ( http://www.uni-solar.com/products/residential-products/energen/ )
Maybe you should have done some digging before parroting the misleading PR of certain companies.
In response to ECD comment:
ReplyDeleteThe way I read the Article: "The average size system for the pilot program is expected to be three-kilowatts with a fixed monthly lease payment price of $26 over a 20-year period."
I believe thats a pretty good deal. And it is clean non-polluting energy production.
When looking at the photos you suggested There seems to be some information that is left out. Did the installers install the Product correctly? What forms of recourse were utilized if the job was not done correctly? What is the Manufacturers Guidelines / Suggestions to fix the Building if its as bad as you say?
Via: your Blog I found that you support the Uni-Solar Brand. I'm not a lawyer but I do know that everyone is suing everyone these days. Do you have affiliate ties with the Web Link you suggest? I notice that they want to charge me money for viewing the current case standings. Just because a competitor is suing a Rival does not mean they were in the Wrong.
In the Research I've done: Dow was the first inventor of the Solar Shingle. See Previous Post:Solar Shingles
May 19, 2010http://stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com/2010/05/solar-shingles.html
Shingle Power. Dow's Solar Solutions division has introduced a photovoltaic roofing shingle that can be installed alongside typical asphalt shingles. Powerhouse solar shingles are nailed directly to the roof deck and electrically ...
If you have some information to share to the Public I offer Guest Post Opportunities for the sharing of Green and Eco Friendly information.