BOSTON, MA – June 10, 2013
EnergySage, an online marketplace for solar PV and other clean energy technologies, has partnered with Optony Inc., a global solar energy research and consulting firm, to assist municipalities in reaching their sustainability goals through programs aimed at residential and small commercial buyers of solar power systems. The partnership offers local governments a simple, turnkey method of providing solar programs to residents that does not require the high level of administrative resources consumed by traditional group-buy solar programs.
Working with government and civic leaders, Optony provides cities and towns with independent solar strategy development and implementation services, helping them to encourage solar adoption community-wide. In support of Optony’s SolarRoadmap.com program (with funding from the DOE Rooftop Solar Challenge), the EnergySage Solar Marketplace is available nationally for local governments to promote solar to residents and business owners to assist them in the solar shopping process.
“Optony has a long, successful track record of advising state and local governments on the design and implementation of sustainability initiatives,” said Vikram Aggarwal, CEO of EnergySage. “This new partnership allows them to extend the impact of their programs by providing an innovative solution to residents as they evaluate solar systems for their home or business.”
EnergySage offers a spectrum of free, online services to assist interested citizens and business owners. Through the EnergySage platform, they can research the various technology options, evaluate the feasibility of specific technologies for their properties, and learn about the underlying economic rationale for investing in solar power systems. The EnergySage Solar Marketplace allows interested consumers to receive multiple quotes from high quality installers along with a range of financing options. The quotes are presented in a clear, apples-to-apples format with key evaluation metrics calculated automatically to assist consumers in comparing quotes and finding the best solution for their properties.
Recently, local governments throughout the country have experimented with solar programs for their citizens. Most of these programs are characterized by a single provider, group-buy format, limiting the choices available to consumers. In contrast, the EnergySage approach provides a platform that allows residents to receive quotes from multiple pre-screened solar installers, giving consumers multiple options for both their installation and its financing. Consumers are able to identify the option that best meets their specific needs and objectives. Throughout the automated process, they also have the option of accessing EnergySage advisors for additional support.
“We’re excited to partner with EnergySage in a national outreach strategy under their DOE-Funded SunShot program,” comments Benjamin Foster, Senior Vice President, Optony. “EnergySage addresses local government goals for promoting solar that truly has the best interests of the consumer in mind. This will be a game-changer in the residential market and we are happy to share the EnergySage platform with municipal agencies around the county. Consumers want to go solar, but need help in understanding the options, costs and benefits. Our role is to ensure market best practices are being deployed and connect local and regional programs to the tools, process and transparency that the EnergySage platform provides – ultimately accelerating solar market growth.”
About Optony
Optony Inc. is a global research and consulting firm focused on enabling government and commercial organizations to bridge the gap between solar energy goals and real-world results. Leveraging our independence, domain expertise and unique market position, our clients can make informed decisions that reduce risk, optimize operations, and deliver the best long-term returns on their solar investments. Optony’s team has worked in over 200 jurisdictions in the USA and supported dozens of projects in China to accelerate clean energy adoption.
About EnergySage, Inc.
EnergySage provides the first comprehensive online marketplace for consumers and businesses interested in converting to solar energy. By enabling people to comparison shop for “apples-to-apples” competitive quotes from pre-screened installers and financiers, the EnergySage Marketplace typically delivers cost-savings of up to 20 percent when compared to going directly to installers. EnergySage also simplifies today’s complex solar industry by providing tools and unbiased information that enable people to fully understand their product and financing options as well as their return-on-investment scenarios. Many leading organizations have forged partnerships with EnergySage to promote the adoption of solar energy, including Connecticut Green Bank, Staples, Walgreens and the World Wildlife Fund. For more information, please visit: www.energysage.com.
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EnergySage.com is operated by EnergySage, Inc.
