GM, GE, Whole Foods, Staples go Solar in a big way
A new “solar services model” shows promise for rapidly increasing the use of solar photovoltaics (PV) in commercial and institutional projects
New York Times, October 21, 2006, reports that a new “solar services model” is rapidly gaining acceptance in the commercial world, as a way for corporations to “go solar” in a big way, without incurring any upfront costs for the technology. In an adaptation of an early 1980s “solar micro-utility” model used for solar water heating on apartments, the company agrees to lease its roof to an investment group and to buy all solar-generated electricity for at least the next ten years. The investors purchase, install and operate a solar PV system and sell the electricity. They also take all federal and state solar tax credits and accelerated depreciation, as well as state, local and utility incentive payments for solar power. This model gives a decent return to the investment group, as well as satisfying the need for large corporations to be doing something about global warming and carbon dioxide emissions. Best of all, solar PV is one of the few green technologies that’s highly visible from a great distance, so companies can easily be seen as “doing the right thing.” Best expert I know on all of this is Scott Sklar of The Stella Group in DC.
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