Inside SolarCity: The rise of a hot solar panel provider

In 2013 there was a 47 percent jump in the number of home solar installations in the U.S., and by the end of the year more than 400,000 American homes had solar power. Don Dahler meets one man who uses imagination to help power the change.

[jays]

The world is a better place because of SolarCity. This is an inspirational company that touches every person that comes in contact with them. Imagine what the world will be like in a few years as more and more people choose solar to power their beautiful homes...

[tockblade]

SolarCity is awesome! Finally you have a choice in your electricity provider. The contract is simple and everything is written in simple terms. They cover all maintenance, repairs, monitoring free for 20 years. They even place a $2 million insurance plan on your roof at no extra charge. If you can purchase a system great! If not, you can still save $ every month by leasing a system.

[deanbolden]

Very impressive entrepreneur! Fantastic marriage of products that have no catches.

[Philosjutsu]

I feel like this is something that we should have had awhile ago.

[pid_zero]

They need to open a branch here in South Africa. Give back to their home country, this could be a solution to Eskom's load-sheddings.

[pjcrockett]

I would love to work for Solar City!

[GeoFry]

They are down here in Florida now.  Essentially you make nothing off the deal.  They pocket the Fed credit and then get payments out of you for 20 years that are higher than the electric would be if you just bought it from the power company.  What you end up owning is the outdated gear that needs to be replaced by then.  (You'll have to replace it with your roof no matter what so you better have a fairly new roof).  Not even remotely a good deal.  It would be ALOT less expensive for you to buy the panels, inverters, and mounting hardware and then hire a local company to come install the equipment.  Better yet do it yourself in a ground or pole mount (then your roof will never be an issue and much easier/safer to install and maintain) and have an electrician come out and bless your work.  You'd own it day 1 and would break even around year 10 instead of year 20.

[ReliableInsider]

What's not to like!  Sign me up. 

[nitishkannan]

No catch they sell electricity cheaper

[claymccormick]

solar cities to add power walls at a great price to the packages in nevada when the solar users in nevada go off grid or build neighborhood installations so no grid link is needed then the power company that won't work with their customers becomes unnecessary and redundant.lets see them make more money in that climate lol..

[kiralypeter]

Taking your part in creating a better future is all good without a doubt. But I don't buy this "you'll pay less" bullcrap. Can a 10 years old solar city customer convince me it's true?

[cherishedgail]

I had Solar City install panels on my roof seven months ago and the system  is still not up and running they have no explanation as to why in the mean time my electric bill is massive. My roof leaked as soon as the panels were installed and they still  have not fixed it.

[indokeren]

Its a trap to lease it. Buy your own Solar panels.

[joebassocontinuo]

Don't buy on these guys, they are fraud. Buy the system for your self. Aka the Tesla powerwalls plus the solar panels. Mine cost 18k (with everything) and it's mine.

[davidlagesse]

SolarCity's new battery system can help you keep the lights on and fridge cold during a power outage or natural disaster while potentially saving you even more on your monthly utility bills.
Our battery systems are currently offered in selected California markets. We hope to offer the service nationwide by the end of the year.
 
Compact, Safe and Durable
SolarCity is making the latest advancements in battery technologies available to you through our partnership with Tesla Motors. Only SolarCity's home backup system uses technology engineered by Tesla, leveraging their expertise in developing battery technologies for premium electric vehicles.
Tesla's long history of research and development has enabled a cost-effective, wall-mounted storage appliance that is small, powerful and covered by a long lasting full 10 year warranty.
The actual battery unit is about the size of a solar power inverter, and will be mounted on the wall in your garage or near your electrical panel.
 
Be Prepared for Anything
Your battery system will provide your home with power if the utility grid goes down—such as after an earthquake or other natural disaster. A fully charged battery will power basic home needs for a few days and a solar powered home can recharge the battery from the sun to run indefinitely.*
*Limiting power use to essential devices such as lights and refrigerator. Not all services available in all regions.

A fully charged battery provides enough energy for your essential needs during an emergency.
Run Your Refrigerator—Make sure you don't lose all the food in your fridge during a power outage.
Charge Your Cell Phone—Stay in touch with loved ones, news, and emergency response when you need it most.
Provide Basic Light—Not being in the dark can make an emergency situation safer and less stressful.
Home Security—Ensure any systems protecting your home and property are up and running.
 
Reduce Your Electric Bill
An additional benefit of energy storage is to reduce peak-usage charges on your utility bill. Some utilities offer Time-of-Use (TOU) rate plans in which the price of electricity varies based on the hour of the day. Rates are higher during the afternoon when electric demand is at its "peak" across all utility customers.
 
A storage system may help you save more money by drawing power from your battery instead of from the grid during higher rates peak hours. You can then recharge your battery during lower rate, off-peak hours.
 
All in the Family: Tesla Battery Packs in SolarCity Backup Systems
 
Tesla's Industrial-Grade Solar Power Storage System
It lets customers go off the grid when utilities charge their highest rates and provides a backup during outages.
 
SolarCity is the ONLY solar company that can now offer affordable TESLA battery backup systems.
With terrorist threats to our electrical grid systems, this is an important development.
 
California Electric Grid Attack Was “Terrorism”    February 10, 2014
Will a terrorist with a rifle spark a massive blackout?
 
California senator pushes utility security bill – KCRA TV
Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, announced proposed legislation