Green Daily

Palm Desert, Calif. gets 350 days of sun a year. The town is a short drive from Joshua Tree National Park and its residents tend to be sun bunnies and Republicans. But solar is making it big in town, and it has everything to do with a public financing program.

California cities across the state, and an increasing number of cities around the country, are helping home owners finance solar panels. Buying and installing solar panels costs upward of $50,000, even more in hot climates and large homes. The cost is prohibitive, even for people certain they will stay in their homes for decades. Moreover, while companies and environmental groups talk some very big talk about how much solar panels save, the proof is in an electric bill. Most people have no evidence and no testimonials that might help them make the leap.

But cities like Palm Desert are offering loans for solar panels that are tied to the house. When the home is sold, the loan on the panels goes with it, and the interest is akin to a car loan. A few other factors are helping residents finance the project. California residents get a rebate of roughly 20 percent for solar panels (the state is required by law to cut carbon emissions) and a new federal income tax credit is available for about 30 percent of the cost of installing the panels.

Palm Desert used its own financing to push the program along, and 100 homes have installed or are about to install solar. One resident told the New York Times that his summer energy bill is typically $1,400. This year he expects the entire year to cost him no more than $500. Factoring in the loan he will still come out ahead.

Colorado, Arizona, Texas and Virginia are all working on their own legislation that would help similar projects along.

[via NY Times]