Cool, Weird and Useful Ways to Improve Your Home at the New England Home Show

Solar City

Solar panels have been around for a while, but they cost tens of thousands of dollars to install, making them an impossible dream for many homeowners. Solar City is one of a handful of companies in the Bay State pioneering a new way to pay for residential solar panels, which could make them more accessible.

Under the new Solar City model, homeowners pay nothing to have panels put on their roofs; the company fronts the installation cost. Solar City technically owns the panels, but sells the energy they generate to the homeowner under a type of lease agreement.

Company representatives said homeowners in Massachusetts who switched all their power usage from the standard grid to solar panels would cut their energy bills by about 45 percent. In fact, Massachusettss tax laws make it one of the most solar-friendly states in the country and can help homeowners save money.

There are a few caveats, though. Not every house can support enough solar panels to power itself, and Solar City wont install unless they think its worth it. Fortunately, though, you can get a solar quote for free. Next

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Cool, Weird and Useful Ways to Improve Your Home at the New England Home Show