Foster City, Calif.-based SolarCity recently announced a new residential solar service for Oregon homeowners. SolarCity’s PurePower can enable Oregon homeowners to power their homes with solar electricity and pay the same rate they were previously charged for electricity from the utility company.
PurePower pricing for a 3.5kW solar system in Oregon, appropriate for a typical three or four-bedroom home, would start at $30 per month, with no upfront cost, on approved credit. This solar system would typically reduce the customer’s electricity bill an equivalent amount, for a net cost of $0.00 each month. The service includes custom design and installation, SolarCity’s SolarGuard proactive monitoring service, repairs, and maintenance.
"Financing has traditionally been a barrier to going green, and especially to going solar," says Portland Mayor Sam Adams. "This summer, we launched Clean Energy Works Portland, a program to remove upfront cost barriers so homeowners can do energy retrofits. Now, with SolarCity's innovative approach, Portlanders will have one more affordable way to reduce their emissions, save energy, and contribute to Portland's sustainability."
PurePower is a power purchase agreement (PPA) with a 10-year term, in which SolarCity installs, owns, and maintains the solar system and the homeowner pays for the power it produces. With PurePower, SolarCity is delivering the same affordable financing model to homeowners that it provides to Oregon businesses.
“Oregon homeowners want clean power, but residential solar has not reached its full potential here due to upfront costs and complexity,” says Lyndon Rive, CEO of SolarCity. “PurePower will allow Oregon homeowners to go solar at a zero net cost. This is a simple solar option that makes clean power affordable and accessible for a large number of families.”
SolarCity expects to hire 20 new employees in Oregon and move into a new facility to accommodate new residential demand, with new installations set to begin in March. PurePower will initially be available to Oregon homeowners in Portland and surrounding communities in areas served by Portland General Electric and Pacific Power. More information about PurePower is available online at at Solar City Web site.
