Solar leasing choices improve in Maryland

From SolveCimateNews.com

The state's 20% renewable portfolio standard and various tax incentives have attracted three of the country's top solar leasing firms this year

By Maria Gallucci, Solve Climate News

Maryland's ambitious renewables goal and booming solar market have lured its third solar leasing firm this year, putting the state on track to substantially boost the rate of installations for rooftop systems.

SunRun, a San Francisco solar provider that owns, maintains and insures solar arrays and sells the electricity to homeowners, announced last week that it was teaming up with two Maryland installers to offer its services in the state for the first time.

The company can expect competition from other California firms eager to tap a promising new market.

SunRun's announcement came just weeks after Oakland-based Sungevity said it would move into Maryland as part of an East Coast expansion that includes Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York.

In January, SunRun's closest competitor, San Mateo, Calif.-based SolarCity, acquired Clean Currents of Silver Spring to serve as its operations center for Maryland and the District of Columbia. SolarCity also offers residential solar systems for sale and lease through Home Depot stores in Maryland and D.C., plus four other states.

"That is a testament to the impact that the industry has had in the state," Ian Hines, a spokesperson for the Maryland Energy Administration, said of the leading solar companies' recent moves.

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Congratulations to Maryland's Greenspring Energy for receiving Schuco's 2010 East U.S. Residential Dealer of the Year Award

Schuco Solar USA's dealer base has continued to grow quickly and with that growth Schuco has continued its commitment to focus support of our dealers in their growth and success. In working closely with our dealers, Schuco has identified two that have demonstrated a level of excellence and performance worthy of Schuco's prestigious annual recognition award, "Residential Dealer of the Year". The award is not based solely on sales, but includes customer service, ethics, leadership and regional territory marketing differentiation in the solar industry. The two dealers awarded are Greenspring Energy for the Eastern U.S. Region and Nova West Solar for the Western U.S. Region.

Greenspring Energy and Nova West Solar continue to set the standard and raise the bar for residential service and sales of renewable energy products and services, and both provide comprehensive renewable energy packages and services that helps with consumer acceptance and expansion of green renewable energy. This is the second consecutive year that Greenspring Energy has been recognized and awarded with this prestigious award.

Greenspring Energy is headquartered in Maryland since 2007, and with additional offices in Reading, PA and Charlotte, NC, Greenspring Energy LLC is focused on helping homeowners and small business owners permanently reduce their utility costs. The company offers a full line of solar energy systems and innovative energy saving products and services that provide the best value and return on investment. These products include solar electric and solar hot water systems, tankless water heaters, energy-efficient lighting, daylighting systems, solar attic fans and other energy saving products. Greenspring Energy has installed over 1,000 solar energy systems in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Schuco is headquartered in Germany since 1951 and with more than 5,000 employees worldwide, Schuco is a world leader in aluminum, steel, PVC-U and energy-efficient solar technology. Schuco's portfolio includes integrated solar electric, solar heating and racking for both residential and commercial applications. Providing the full spectrum of products needed for solar solutions, Schuco obtains planning support and know-how from engineering teams in both the photovoltaic and thermal transfer sectors. Schuco USA has been successfully operating in the U.S. for over 14 years with locations in Newington, CT and Union City, CA.