Press Release

GoSolarMarin(SM) and SolarCity® have teamed up to make Marin County one of the first locations in the United States to install First Solar’s advanced thin film solar technology on residential rooftops.

Until recently, First Solar’s innovative thin film technology was used primarily on large commercial rooftops or large utility power plants, such as Nevada’s 10 megawatt El Dorado Solar Plant, one of the largest of its kind in North America.

However, a recently signed agreement has allowed SolarCity to cost-effectively employ First Solar thin film modules for smaller installations. As a result, GoSolarMarin participant Gary Goodman, an accountant in San Rafael, now has the first First Solar modules not just in Marin County but in the entire in the North Bay.

“It’s beautiful—it’s really cool stuff,” said Goodman of his new modules. “The modules are frameless, black reflective glass—it makes it appear as though we have a glass roof. What a great opportunity to help the environment and our community, stimulate the economy, and benefit ourselves, too."

First Solar, Inc. is the world’s largest thin film PV manufacturer and is the only PV manufacturer to voluntarily implement a prefunded module collection and recycling program. First Solar collects and recycles its modules at the end of their useful lives.

“First Solar modules produce more electricity in low light and at high temperature than other modules—great for Northern California’s alternating fog and heat—and they offer a completely different aesthetic that a lot of people like,” said Lyndon Rive, SolarCity’s CEO. “While most Californians want cleaner energy solutions, they also want them to be attractive.”

The GoSolarMarin program, which runs through March 31, 2009, allows most Marin County property owners to purchase solar installations for a substantial discount. Including discounts and applicable tax credits and rebates, the net cost of a typical 3-kilowatt AC system (equivalent to 3.4 – 3.6 kW DC) would be approximately $13,400 for participants in the GoSolarMarin program, depending on installation complexity and other factors. The same system would typically cost $16,500 for Marin County purchasers not in the program, based on data from the California Solar Initiative Web site.

“When you do the math, it’s a classic “no-brainer,” said Lisa Max, founder of GoSolarMarin. “At the current cost of the electricity we’ll be generating with our solar, the system will pay for itself in 5-6 years. Or if you like calculating return on investment (ROI) we will be ‘earning’ 17% annually on our investment in solar. And the ROI increases as electricity rates go up. I can’t think of a better investment!”

GoSolarMarin participants also receive a free home energy audit from Building Solutions—a value of $595—when they sign up for a solar installation.

San Rafael resident Jennifer Hewitt, who recently received her home energy audit, said, “As conscientious as my husband and I are, we were surprised to learn how much more we could do to improve our home’s efficiency. Don’t be surprised if you find me crawling under my house with a roll of R40 insulation and a staple-gun!”

For each installation, SolarCity will also make a $500 contribution to MarinLink, a non-profit organization that supports a variety of Marin County educational and community service projects, including Project Homeless Connect, CircleCenter Foundation, Cool the Earth, and Green Your School.

To be eligible for the program, property owners must register with GoSolarMarin online at www.gosolarmarin.com or by calling 415-847-0900. There is no cost or obligation for registering with GoSolarMarin.

GoSolarMarin and SolarCity will host an additional educational webinar to provide program details, an overview of the benefits of solar power and answer questions from potential participants, including questions about new thin film technology. The webinar will take place on Wednesday, February 25th, at noon. Those interested in attending can RSVP by clicking “register” at the following link: http://www.solarcity.com/events/.

About GoSolarMarin

GoSolarMarin (www.gosolarmarin.com) was founded in 2007 to encourage and enable the largest number of property owners in Marin County to go solar at the best price obtainable as a group, in order to benefit the environment, to add value to property, to improve communities and to reduce electric bills. The goal of the community coalition is to help deliver a sustainable planet to future generations. The initial GoSolarMarin campaign was responsible for more than 120 solar installations and was the largest community-based solar program in California history.

About MarinLink

MarinLink (www.marinlink.org) is a non-profit corporation operating under Section 501(c) (3) of the IRS tax code. MarinLink promotes and executes community connections and collaborative projects in the arts/education, environment, health, spiritual, and business communities with special emphasis on connecting Marin’s vast non profit resources with the private sector. Since its inception in 2005, MarinLink has developed a variety of programs engaging businesses, non-profits and individuals in meaningful projects that address important and unmet community needs.

Jonathan Bass
SolarCity
650-963-5156
jbass@solarcity.com