| News - Friday, April 20, 2007
MV solar group hits its target
Dozens of participants to take advantage of SolarCity's group rate discount
by Daniel DeBolt
Just last week, the Mountain View Solar Buyers Group grew to more than 58 local participants, more than enough to earn a 30 percent bulk rate discount on home solar panels from installer SolarCity.
"Up until now there have only been 85 systems in Mountain View," said Organizer Bruce Karney. "This co-op is likely to double that and it could go beyond that."
Anyone still interested in the program has until April 30 to sign up.
Karney said the average cost of the solar panels, at the bulk rate, is $23,000 per home. But after a state rebate, and a $2,000 tax credit, the cost goes down to $15,000.
How quickly a homeowner recoups the costs through energy savings depends on how much electricity is used, Karney said. In an average California household that spends $85 a month on electrical bills, the panels would pay for themselves in 15 years. Home values may also increase with solar panels.
As tax rebates are scheduled to decrease over the next few years, Karney believes now may be the best time to buy solar panels The high initial rebates were designed to jumpstart the solar industry, and apparently 2007 will be a busy year for solar panel installers. Atherton, Menlo Park and Woodside are in the early stages of organizing buyers groups, Karney said. Local community colleges, such as De Anza College, are offering classes for people wishing to learn the trade.
SolarCity is reportedly expecting a rash of last-minute participants before the deadline.
"It's hard for me to explain how good a deal this is," Karney said. "I think it's going to be at least five years before the bottom-line price is lower than it is [now]."
Because of a shortage of silicon, Karney said, the price of solar panels may not come back down for several years. New technologies from companies like Nanosolar could lower the price of panels, but probably not for some while.
The average home array provides about 3 kilowatts of power. Google, meanwhile, has just installed a 1,600-kilowatt solar array at its Amphitheatre parkway campus. Karney believes Mountain View may soon have more solar panels per capita than any other city.
Karney is keeping a blog about the buyers group at mvsolar.blogspot.com. There is also a Yahoo group for participants, Karney said, and a picnic celebration may be scheduled in May.
Those wishing to participate in the buyers group can call SolarCity at (888) SOL-CITY before April 30.
E-mail Daniel DeBolt at ddebolt@mv-voice.com | 
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