SolarCity and Honda announced a partnership Tuesday that offers Honda customers a cost-free solar-panel installation on their homes.
A $65 million fund will help 2,500 to 3,000 Honda customers and 10 to 20 dealerships install solar panels in the 14 states where SolarCity operates, including New York.
Last month, the San Mateo, Calif.-based SolarCity told local officials that it planned to hire 41 more people at its Elmsford location, which it opened in mid-2012.
Steve Center, Honda’s vice president of environmental business development, said that partnership complements his company’s commitment to reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Center also said that he expected the $65 million to be depleted within a year.
“If it fills up fast, we’re open to expanding it,” Center said of the giveaway, which is being offered to new and existing Honda customers. “That’s a big offer given that solar systems in some cases cost as much as a car.”
While the solar-panel installations would be free, the electricity produced by the panels would not. Homeowners will be expected to sign a 20-year energy-supply contract with SolarCity that either sets an up-front charge for the electricity or a predetermined monthly cost over the 20-year period.
Jonathan Bass, a SolarCity spokesman, said SolarCity’s charge for the solar electricity would be lower than electricity from a traditional utility.
“This will be the most affordable solar option we offer for residential properties,” Bass said.
Center said registered Honda customers will receive communications from the company about the solar offer.
Courtesy of Lo Hud
No comments:
Post a Comment