1BOG, REC Partner in Summer Solar Campaign

July 21, 2010

By Kimberli Turner

For those who want to go solar, and want to save money doing it, San Francisco-based One Block Off the Grid has relaunched a solar group purchase program in Colorado.

The solar group purchase provider has partnered with REC Solar, in Denver, to install the group’s solar systems. The companies partnered last summer in a similar campaign.

In doing this, 1BOG CEO Dave Llorens said the company aims to relieve confusion and bring down the cost of buying solar.

Llorens said because many solar companies don’t publish their pricing, he finds that only motivated customers continue to do the research to purchase systems.

1BOG’s partnering with REC cuts down on the work for the customer and gives customers 15 percent off the market price, he said.

“Colorado is one of the country’s leading solar states, so we are excited to bolster local solar adoption with a group program that makes going solar easy and affordable for homeowners,” Llorens said.

About 600 people have signed up to learn about the solar program.

Customers can sign a contract with REC or finance the system through a power purchase agreement with SunRun, a home solar financing company.

Clients can opt to put zero down and will also receive a $700 rebate.

The program is available to homeowners in cities surrounding Denver through Oct. 14.

Llorens noted that advice and quotes for the company’s systems are free.

1BOG negotiates the price the solar company can charge customers who sign up.

Homeowners who join the 1BOG community are eligible for online and offline support and fixed discounted pricing at $5.20 per watt.

This is down from $6.10 per watt during last year’s campaign.

Cary Hayes, senior regional manager at REC Solar, said he is excited about this year’s summer solar campaign, with solar power being less expensive than Xcel power in some areas, he said.

Hayes said that the financing option and residents’ savings on their electric bill is a win-win situation.

“Most customers agree with that, and we’re seeing an explosion in that sector of the business in Colorado,” he said.

Kevin Stephenson, a Canyon Creek resident in Erie, had a 5.3 kilowatt system installed in January, after 1BOG’s 2009 campaign.

Stephenson said his out-of-pocket expenses for the system was about $11,000, and he said he saves roughly $1,200 a year.

“I think it will pay for itself in 10 years,” he said. “I’m really happy with it.”