GoSolarMarin Selects SolarCity for Phase II; Dramatically Reduces Cost of Solar Installation in Marin County
Collaboration Offers Discount Prices, Innovative SolarLease™ Option for Immediate Savings
SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Oct. 27, 2008—GoSolarMarin(SM) and SolarCity®, whose community programs have helped 800 California home and business owners adopt solar power, announced a collaboration today that can make it possible for Marin County property owners to install solar power and pay less than they currently do for electricity.
The selection of SolarCity as vendor of choice for Phase II by GoSolarMarin (GSM) combines two innovations—community group discount pricing and no-money-down lease financing—into the most affordable solar power option ever offered in the County.
The GSM/SolarCity program begins October 27, 2008 and runs through February 28, 2009. The GoSolarMarin solar purchase price will be $6.56 per DC watt ($7.87 per AC watt) for most residential and commercial installations. SolarLease customers can receive their first three months free as part of the GoSolarMarin program by signing a contract within three weeks of receiving a proposal. For more information about SolarLease, including terms and conditions, participants should visit: http://www.solarcity.com/solarlease/SolarCityAbout.aspx.
According to GSM founder Lisa Max, “Our first program was an unprecedented success. This time, our negotiated price combined with current California rebates and the 30 percent Federal Tax Credit, makes solar affordable for almost everyone. By partnering with SolarCity, we also offer a lease option that can save homeowners money from day one. If there ever was a win-win moment, this is it.”
Max said that the 2008 selection process, initiated in September, involved 30 vendors. The evaluation panel included Dana Armanino, Marin County’s coordinator of green business, energy efficiency and solar programs as well as Max and GSM Steering Committee members Carol Benson, and Jennifer Hewitt.
To be eligible for the program, property owners need to register with GoSolarMarin either online at www.gosolarmarin.com or by calling 415-847-0900. Those already on the email list from the initial phase will be offered priority placement for installations if they choose to register.
“We’re thrilled to partner with GoSolarMarin to offer the most affordable solar power options Marin County has ever seen,” said SolarCity CEO Lyndon Rive. “When homeowners have the option to use clean power for the same price or less than they currently pay for electricity, they overwhelmingly choose clean power. We fully expect this to be the most successful community program in the state’s history.”
GoSolarMarin and SolarCity will host two educational seminars to provide program details, an overview of the benefits of solar power and answer questions from potential participants. Date, time and location information is included below:
Saturday, Nov. 8, 10:00am – 11:00am
San Rafael Corporate Center; 750 Lindaro St., Suite 240, San Rafael
Saturday, November 15, 9:00am – 11:00am
The Inn Marin; 250 Entrada Dr., Novato
GoSolarMarin’s first community program produced more than 100 solar installations, and SolarCity has completed more than 25 community programs in California that have seen more than 700 homes adopt solar. Together, these programs have resulted in more than 3,400 kilowatts of new solar power, which in their lifetimes will offset more than 83,000 tons of greenhouse gas pollution. The impact on the environment would be the equivalent of taking 16,000 cars off the road for a year, or planting 140,000 trees.