Vermont Business MagazineSolarCity(NASDAQ: SCTY) announced Monday that it will bring its rooftop solar energy systems to Vermont and with it about 100 jobs. From its warehouse and office in South Burlington, SolarCity will market initially to residential customers in Chittenden County and nearby areas. The California-based company, whose chairman is Tesla's Elon Musk, will feature a no-money-down, lease program. The advantage to customers is, depending on location, they could effectively save 10-20 percent on their electric bill.
"It's a great market for solar," Regional Vice President Lee Keshishian said of Northwestern Vermont.
Regional VP Lee Keshishian and installer Eric Albers display a solar panel Friday in Vermont. The panels, made by Zep Solar, are getting less expensive over time while the output continues to rise. VBM photo.
SolarCity said it will make it possible for many Vermont residents to install solar with no upfront cost and pay less for solar electricity than they pay for utility power, even without local incentives. Customers can go solar for as little as $30 per month, with design, installation, financing, insurance, monitoring and a performance guarantee included.
SolarCity will start taking orders from Vermont residents Monday, and expects to begin installing before the end of summer. SolarCity’s popular solar lease and power purchase agreement have made it the number one solar provider in the country—but the company offers cash purchases on solar systems as well. The company will accommodate customers on a first-come, first-served basis. SolarCity will initially be available to customers of Burlington Electric and Green Mountain Power.
SolarCity will use solar panels made in Buffalo, NY, which it said will be the largest solar panel manufacturer in the Western Hemisphere when full developed.
SunCommon, a Vermont Benefit Corporation based in Waterbury Center and one of the fastest growing businesses in Vermont, also offers residential lease programs and has developed community solar farms where several different customers can invest in a common solar system.
SolarCity is not planning to offer the community system, but will eventually offer solar systems to commercial customers.
According to SEIA, average installed residential and commercial photovoltaic system prices in Vermont have fallen by 30 percent in 2013-2014. SolarCity plans to open an operations center in South Burlingtonand has already begun to hire for local positions in installation, sales and related positions. Vermont is the 19thstate where SolarCity offers service and the fifth in New England, joining Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. SolarCity employs over 1,000 people in New England.
SolarCity said in a statement that candidates interested in employment opportunities in Vermont can review available positions and contact SolarCity directly via its online jobs form atwww.solarcity.com/jobs.
Area homeowners interested in SolarCity’s services can contact the company directly at 1-888-SOL-CITY(1-888-765-2489) for a free, no-obligation solar consultation or visit SolarCityonline.
About SolarCity
SolarCity (NASDAQ: SCTY) provides clean energy. The company has disrupted the century-old energy industry by providing renewable electricity directly to homeowners, businesses and government organizations for less than they spend on utility bills. SolarCity gives customers control of their energy costs to protect them from rising rates. The company makes solar energy easy by taking care of everything from design and permitting to monitoring and maintenance. SolarCity currently serves 19 states. Visit the company online atwww.solarcity.com
Source:BURLINGTON, VTAug. 7, 2015– SolarCity.