GeoGenix has announced that it is one of several dealers to offer residential solar systems at a reduced price through the "Drive Green for Life" program that was recently announced by Ford and SunPower. Consumers who are tired of spending thousands of dollars a year at the pump now have yet another incentive to buy an electric vehicle and power it with renewable energy.

The "Drive Green for Life" program offers buyers of the 2012 Ford Focus Electrica zero-emissions driving experience that allow electric vehicle (EV) drivers to reduce lifetime auto costs and eliminate long-term EV charging costs.

The program refers Focus Electric buyers to SunPower Elite Dealers who will install a high-efficiency, 2.5-kW SunPower solar system on their homes for less than $10,000 after state and federal incentives.

"This is an interesting program, because it will help to stimulate further solar market growth, especially here in New Jersey where state incentives are so strong," said Gaurav Naik, principal at GeoGenix.

"Eco-conscious consumers now have yet another reason to install a solar system. We hope that this partnership will increase demand for solar installations and expand our client base through Ford referrals."

The Drive Green for Life program will allow consumers to maximize the benefits of solar and electric technologies. Instead of filling up a tank of gas on a weekly basis, consumers can now charge up their eco-friendly EV using 100 percent renewable energy, saving them thousands of dollars over the long run.

Some consumers may want to install even larger solar systems to meet their home electricity demands as well, driving down their household expenses even further.

The 2.5 kilowatt rooftop solar system is comprised of the SunPower E18 Series solar panels that produce an average of 3,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually.

These high-efficiency solar panels generate approximately 50 percent more electricity than conventional panels and utilize a smaller footprint on the roof. The system was sized to accommodate a customer who drives about 1,000 miles per month.

Electric vehicles are expected to become much more common in the coming years, making this initiative even more beneficial to consumers. The Nissan Leaf and the Chevy Volt are already on the roads, with other models like the Ford Focus expected to hit the show floors soon.

Pike Research, a market research and consulting firm, has projected that there will be 610,000 plug-in vehicles in the U.S. by 2015.

In states like New Jersey, generous state and federal incentives like Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SREC) and federal tax credits have worked in combination to create the nation's second largest solar market.

Although SRECs remain a strong incentive, the moderation in their price has led to some consumers seeking other incentives to help them make the solar switch, and this initiative could help fill that need.

Related Links
GeoGenix
All About Solar Energy at SolarDaily.com

Tweet