With Clean Energy Choice, customers don't have to put any money upfront, the major barrier to installing renewables. The customer either buys the output directly from the third-party owner or pays to host the energy-producing equipment and uses the electricity without any further cost under a long-term contract.
From a presentation by Michael Vickerman, RENEW director of policy and program, at Solar Powering Your Community, October 11, 2012:
- No up-front capital required from host customers
- Allows nonprofit entities to partner w/ for-profit companies that can use the 30% federal tax credit
- Based on a successful model for delivering energy efficiency (performance-based contracts)
- Could lower energy costs for customers over the contract life
- Hugely successful in states that allow it (e.g., California and Colorado)
- It’s your premises, after all
