National Solar Company Opening in Burlington
Burlington — The nation’s largest residential solar company is opening a Vermont branch. SolarCity uses a business model it hopes will attract customers who might not have considered going solar.
The company will occupy a 12,000-square-foot warehouse space in South Burlington, where it was busy setting up shop last week.
Regional Vice President Lee Keshishian said the move is part of the California company’s East Coast growth spurt. SolarCity recently moved into New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and Keshishian said Vermont is particularly attractive to the company.
“I think Vermont is in a unique situation, in that it has some of the best solar policies,” he said. “It’s a very progressive market on solar. We feel like it’s a natural place for us, as we’re expanding.”
SolarCity sells very few residential solar systems; instead, it leases systems to homeowners, who pay the company on a monthly basis.
The payments are less than the monthly electric bill. SolarCity maintains the system and guarantees it will produce a certain amount of power.
The company receives any incentives or rebates that the system might qualify for.
Keshishian said the lease approach makes solar affordable for a broader range of homeowners.
Keshishian said the company already is hiring on its website for installation and sales people.
