EnergySage, the online marketplace for solar energy systems, today announced a partnership with Staples (SPLS) that makes it easier than ever for Staples customers to install solar on their homes and businesses, while being rewarded for reducing their environmental impact. Consumers who install solar through the Staples-EnergySage Solar Marketplace will receive Staples e-gift cards ranging from $125 to $300 for a residential installation and from $500 to more than $2,500 for commercial installations, depending on the size of the solar panel system installed at their property.
The EnergySage Solar Marketplace, a comprehensive consumer destination site for solar photovoltaics (PV) systems, will serve as the program’s engine, helping homeowners, businesses and non-profits to research solar and obtain multiple, competitive quotes for solar power systems, for all financing options, at no cost to them. Incorporating the best practices of online shopping, the EnergySage Solar Marketplace is the only online shopping platform for solar PV systems. Its unique, innovative and user-friendly comparison-shopping experience injects unprecedented levels of simplicity, choice and transparency into solar shopping process. Multiple quotes provide consumers with options including choice of solar panels, brands, installers and financing options that include $0-down solar leases, power purchase agreements (PPAs) and solar loans. By fostering market efficiency, EnergySage helps consumers save on average 9% or over $2,500 compared to average industry prices for a residential solar panel system. Savings on commercial systems can total up to tens of thousands of dollars. EnergySage has received a prestigious Incubator award from the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative to develop the Solar Marketplace.
“Our partnership with EnergySage is a natural extension of our commitment to help our customers run their businesses and homes more sustainably,” said Jake Swenson, Director of Sustainable Products and Services, Staples, Inc. “This relationship provides them a simple way to learn about and install solar for a great price, lower their electricity bills, and reduce their impact on the planet.”
An average residential solar PV system will avoid more than 141 tons of carbon emissions over its lifetime—the equivalent of planting 3,314 trees or taking 27 cars off the road. It will also generate return on investment in the range of 10% to 30% annually for the property owner. Alternatively, $0-down solar leases and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) can help consumers reduce their electricity bills by up to 50%. “EnergySage and Staples are committed to making it easy for consumers to research and shop for the best deals on solar panel systems,” comments Vikram Aggarwal, Founder and CEO of EnergySage. “And by providing access to transparent information, we are confident that more consumers will install solar PV systems.”
The Marketplace helps consumers easily compare quotes in an apples-to-apples format across all financing options. Because the Marketplace automatically performs the calculations needed to adjust for differences in the quotes received—different system sizes or different assumptions used to calculate cost and benefits—getting the best deal is simple and easy. Consumers can start by getting a no-obligation instant estimate of the cost and savings of a solar power system for their particular property.