No one will question the fact that a lot of companies and individuals are interested in solar power, in fact a study conducted by SolarCity, a California-based solar installer, indicated that 62% of those they polled wanted to install solar panels in their home. But the number of homes equipped with solar panels is still low, so SolarCity has come up with a plan to increase that number, and it’s by paying their employees to install solar power systems.
SolarCity Solar Incentive
To narrow the difference, SolarCity, in partnership with Cox Enterprises, a cable company, announced a national solar employee program which will provide financial incentives to employees that install solar systems and equipment in their homes. Cox is aware that their method will raise eyebrows, but as Cox Chairman Jim Kennedy said in an interview, “money talks”.
Under the program, qualified employees will get a $500 incentive, and those who reside in any of the 15 states and DC where SolarCity is operating will receive another $500 discount. While the amount is small compared to the installation cost, the idea behind the program is sound, and it will give SolarCity employees the opportunity to determine if solar energy is right for them or not.
And as Kennedy pointed out, SolarCity employees soon realize that it is not just about getting a financial incentive, as solar power translates into substantial savings in the end. Kennedy recently paid a visit to one of these employees and he was told that the energy bill had been cut to $700 a year. To date, more than a hundred employees have participated in the test program, and Kennedy hopes to increase the number to 1,000 the next year.
The Future of SolarCity’s Incentive Program
There’s reason for Kennedy and the companies involved to be optimistic that this approach will work and generate more interest from other homeowners. According to Kennedy, their foremost goal here is to show everyone the savings that may be generated by switching to solar energy. So far the feedback from the program has been positive and has made solar power more attractive to people. Not because of the incentive, but because they have seen the financial benefits that come from installing it.
While SolarCity’s approach is unorthodox, it has received widespread support from various sectors. Not only is the program providing publicity for solar energy, but getting more people to use solar power is ultimately the best for the environment and society. Though some might view this as a publicity stunt, it provides a lot of benefits not least it contributes to the reduction of fossil fuels and ultimately leads to less pollution.
At the same time, this move by Cox Enterprises will serve as an example for other companies to follow, producing a snowball effect. As it is, experts have demonstrated how effective solar power can be, yet there are still some who are unconvinced or unwilling to spend money for it. Now with this kind of incentive program, other companies might follow suit and bring solar energy to the masses.
