A program in which groups of buyers can secure a lower price for solar installations through bulk ordering.
Brief-cum-Benefits.
- A municipality, employer or other local organization chooses one company in the area to serve as the solar installer for their community’s Solarize program.
- Due to volume discounts, the solar installer can negotiate a price that’s often lower than what individual homeowners could achieve.
In fact, the price tends to fall as more and more people join the program.
Major Clean Energy Agencies. - Vote Solar, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, and the Connect Green Bank have all organized Solarize programs for communities in the past.
Pros of Solarize Programs.
- Great Way to Be Involved In Community Action. Great way to take part in a larger movement within your community, and work with people who share similar goals.
- Reputation Boost for Chosen Installer. Solarize programs are a great accolade for the installer that is ultimately chosen by the community. Many solar installers will use their selection for a Solarize program in future marketing materials.
- Good Way to Accomplish a Shared Environmental Goal. To achieve goal quickly for a town or municipality has a renewable energy or environmental goal.
- Lower Risk to Take Action as a Group. As the expression goes, “there’s safety in numbers”. This is the driving idea behind Solarize programs, as larger groups tend to have better leverage in price negotiations with installers and outside parties.
- Limited Choice Makes Decisions Easier. If you only have a few options when evaluating solar energy systems, then choosing the best one for you is a much shorter, simpler process.Cons of Solarize Programs
- Unnecessary Restriction on Consumer Choice. Working with only one installer restricts the choices that consumers would otherwise have in terms of design and equipment. What’s right for your neighbor’s house or budget may not be right for yours, but using only one solar installer in a community restricts the options available to consumers.
- Discourages Competition. Solarize programs were necessary when it was hard to find qualified installers, but now there are generally several well-established and reputable solar installation companies in each community.
- Time Intensive to Find the Right Installer. Finding an appropriate installer can cost the organising body time and money, as it usually involves a lengthy review process.
- The Price You’re Quoted Isn’t Always the Actual Price. In most cases the price negotiated by the community organization is for the installer’s most basic solar energy system. The homeowner should expect higher costs if they want different panel types or colors, a higher efficiency inverter, or any sort of change from the basic package.
- Backlog of Installations. The community education process often lasts six months, and during this period a backlog of new home installations can build up. This buildup can have an adverse effect on both the installer and homeowner.
No comments:
Post a Comment