How to Get Solar Power for Free

It costs nothing to bask in the sun's rays. But, when you want to harness that "star power" and convert it to electricity, that's when you need to make a hefty financial investment. Homeowners can get a solar photovoltaic (PV) system installed on their property for free by making a Solar Power Purchase Agreement (SPPA) with a solar energy provider. Solar panels and related equipment will be installed, operated and maintained by the solar energy provider with no out-of-pocket costs to the homeowners. The solar energy provider benefits by charging a monthly bill for the electrical energy the homeowners draw from the system.

Solar energy provider
Current electricity bill

Instructions

- 1
  Choose a solar energy provider. Ask for references. Find out how many solar PV systems the provider has completed so you can gauge its experience. Request a free site evaluation to determine possible locations for your system, which could be the roof, garage or carport, a covered patio or on the ground.
- 2
  Agree a monthly rate for your electricity, as well as the duration of the SPPA, which can be as long as 25 years -- the length of a standard system warranty. Compare the proposed monthly rate with what you currently pay to the utility company.
- 3
  Wait up to two months for a completed solar PV system. The provider must file all necessary paperwork and register the project with your state's corresponding Solar Renewable Energy Certificate Registration Program. This registration, along with structural planning, filing for permits and managing inspections, adds to the time frame. The actual installation of the solar panels takes one to two days.

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