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  • - A radical idea to get a high-renewable electric grid

    This is an interesting approach to optaining very high penetration of renewables such as photovoltaics and wind.  At present most large installations operate under Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) wherein the economics are based on a sell all output at predetermined prices. This contrasts with standalone systems wherein the system size Read More
  • - Breakthrough Batteries Powering the Era of Clean Electrification

    - Breakthrough Batteries Powering the Era of Clean Electrification Battery Storage Costs Drop Dramatically, Making Way to a New Era. A recent Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) report continues to confirm that clean electrification through batteries is advancing at impressive rates. Very interesting report: Breakthrough Batteries- Powering the Era of Clean Electrification Read More
  • - Interesting Technology

    An assortment of links to interesting information   Semiconductor Nanowires Could Double the Efficiency of Silicon Solar Cells A p/n semiconductor junction is not the only way of converting sunshine into useful electrical energy.  Light consists of a flow of photons of various energy levels (colors).  See this article-Solar Cells.  Nanowires Read More
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Updated Feb. 16, 2014

In 2014 solar adoption makes up a very small percent of the electrical generation mix in Arizona. But the trend is accelerating in favor of solar utilization not only in Arizona, but across the country.

What is the driver behind this growing trend? Most point to financial (business model) innovation. And one only needs to consider that it was not a technology innovation, rather a financial innovation, that fueled the automobile market in the U.S. in the 1910s, to understand why solar adoption rates are soaring.

The introduction of financing through GMAC finance took the American auto market from 7.7 percent adoption to 80 percent adoption in less than a decade.

A financial innovation unlocked the car market 100 years ago and is having a similar impact in the solar marketplace today. A new business model innovation (leasing) has fueled an increased adoption rate for solar electric which in turn is pushing costs down and further fueling the market.

In 2008, a company called SunEdison introduced a version of what is known today as the solar lease. Residential and commercial solar customers no longer need to invest capital in purchasing solar rooftop systems.

SunEdison offered to finance, install, own and maintain the solar panels on the rooftop of its customers. Homeowners did not have to take any risks. At the end of the (20-year) contract, the customer had a choice of purchasing the equipment at deep discounts or having them taken off the roof.

Soon after SunEdison, Solar City started offering a Solar Lease option and the solar market exploded. The concept caught on and other companies such as Sungevity and SunRun as well as local and regional companies joined the long list offering 'Solar Leases' or 'Solar PPAs'.

Partly as a result of these financial innovations, the solar market in America quadrupled from 2008 to 2012. Since 2012 the market has expanded even further as about 80 percent of all residential and commercial installations nationwide are now financed by third party-companies. In Arizona the number is closer to 90 percent.

But the economics of a lease versus out-right ownership is different in many ways. The lease is a contractual document that sells the property owner the solar output of the system. The 3rd party (system owner) in a lease maintains the RECs, and is the recipient of any rebate and tax incentive. A property owner that chooses to purchase their system outright receives all of the upfront incentives of a system but is also responsible for any maintenance of the system over its life.

There are a number of loan vehicles that a property owner may tap in order to purchase and own a solar system outright. These programs offered through lending institutions and government entities (i.e. property assessments) have been subject to considerable change. Please contact individual institutions to learn of any current financing options.

About

  • Welcome to the Arizona Solar Center

     This is your source for solar and renewable energy information in Arizona. Explore various technologies, including photovoltaics, solar water heating, solar architecture, solar cooking and wind power. Keep up to date on the latest industry news. Follow relevant lectures, expositions and tours. Whether you are a homeowner looking to become more energy efficient, a student learning the science behind the technologies or an industry professional, you will find valuable information here.
  • About The Arizona Solar Center

    About The Arizona Solar Center Arizona Solar Center Mission- The mission of the Arizona Solar Center is to enhance the utilization of renewable energy, educate Arizona's residents on solar technology developments, support commerce and industry in the development of solar and other sustainable technologies and coordinate these efforts throughout the state of Arizona. About the Arizona Solar Center- The Arizona Solar Center (AzSC) provides a broad-based understanding of solar energy, especially as it pertains to Arizona. Registered Read More
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