The Top Four Barriers to Going Solar (and how 1BOG removes them)

by Shannon, posted on April 29th, 2010.

The sun’s energy is free, clean, and renewable, so in a perfect world every homeowner would have solar panels on his or her roof, right? According to a recent report by the Clean Energy Group, there are still four things that get in the way of that. Here’s how 1BOG knocks down each one of  ‘em.

Barrier #1: Cost.

Traditionally, the out-of-pocket price tag for going solar has just been too high for most homeowners.

How 1BOG removes it: The organizing power of the web has created a win-win for homeowners and solar installers alike. People interested in going solar can create a free 1BOG account, and when we get enough interested homeowners in a given area, we negotiate a big group discount (typically around 15 percent). We’ve already done this in eleven different metro areas, for hundreds of homeowners. The installer saves time and money by doing a bunch of jobs at once; the savings are passed onto the homeowner. Another way 1BOG tackles cost is to make sure homeowners receive every dollar of any solar rebates available in their area. These rebates can often cover half or more of the cost of going solar.

Barrier #2: Complexity.

With all the products and technology out there, the process of going solar can be too intimidating and/or time consuming.

How 1BOG removes it: This is where 1BOG really shines. We have a team of solar advisors that handles all the tough stuff for the homeowner. These solar advisors manage the process from beginning to end and act as a liaison between the homeowner and the company that sells and installs the panels. Most homeowners have never bought solar before, so asking them to deal directly with the companies that sell solar systems is a little like asking them to walk into a car dealership not only without knowing anything about cars….but without ever having known anyone who owns a car. Instead, 1BOG acts as an intermediary and puts local solar companies through a rigorous vetting process (we evaluate their products, installation practices, and longterm stability as a company) before we even start negotiating the group discount. Meanwhile, our solar advisors are there to provide clear, objective information throughout the process, so if homeowners ever need a second opinion or a question answered, they can always call 1BOG.

Barrier #3 Misinformation.

Because solar power hasn’t been a big deal in the United States so far, many here believe solar isn’t up to the task of powering our modern lives, particularly in less sunny climates.

How 1BOG removes it: Information! Solar is a powerful source of energy, even in overcast weather and cold climates. Consider cloudy Germany, which has the highest rate of residential solar in the world and where by 2050 a full 25 percent of all energy will be supplied by the sun. Here in the U.S., celebrities like Will Farrell, Brad Pitt, and Carlos Santana have recently done lot to raise awareness about solar’s reliability by installing solar panels on their big ol’ energy-intensive homes, all over the country. Larry Hagman of Dallas fame saw his annual electric bill drop from $37,000 to $13!

Barrier #4 Inertia.

It’s easy to put a decision as seemingly complex as going solar on the back burner.

How 1BOG removes it: We at 1BOG are passionate about letting people know that the time to go solar is now, while they can still take advantage of government solar  incentives for doing so. In many states, these rebates can cover half or more of the cost of going solar, but the trend is that they’re going down over time, so we really want to see as many homeowners get that money while it’s still on the table. That’s why in addition to helping people through the practical part of going solar, 1BOG also makes sure that homeowners get every dollar of the rebates and incentives available in their area.

Want to get access to 1BOG’s group discounts and objective advice about going solar in your area? Sign up for a free 1BOG membership now. You can also learn more about 1BOG here.