Innovation

SolarCity uses the innovation of solar energy to its advantage. The company realized the benefits of switching to solar. It also realized that everyone does not have the financial capabilities to make the switch over to clean, sustainable energy. SolarCity filled this void. The company provides ownership programs, leasing programs, an energy programs. Kurt says "we really have a solution for everyone." This could not be more true. If a homeowner, business, school, government, or not-for-profit wants to utilize clean energy, SolarCity is there for them.

Customers can either elect to lease or purchase the solar panels that are installed. The lease program is a financing option that allows the benefits of the energy system to pay for itself. In this option, SolarCity would install and maintain the system with $0 down with a personalized agreement that would secure predictable solar energy costs in the future. This allows the customer to pay off the solar panels with the cost savings that they experience. On the other hand, if customers have the capabilities to buy the solar panels initially this is also an option. If a customer elects this, the customer then experiences the full benefits of the energy system. Under this plan, the company would also maintain and warranty the system. Both create the ability for people to experience the great benefits of solar energy with a plan that is adhered to their desires. Both create the ability to help aide in the switch to renewable energies.

Not only has the company filled this void between the desire to use clean energy and the ability to switch to clean energy, but the company has also improved this process dramatically over the years. Years ago, it took months to get a consultant on a roof of a potential customer. Now, within a day customers can get a survey and panels installed within 4-5 weeks. Kurt says "we've cut down the process, we've sped up the process. Our operations teams are awesome, second to none in the country. They get the job done well and they're very professional with what they do."

This solar service has given people and businesses the opportunity to save money while changing to renewable energy, an opportunity that many of these customers never had before.

Inspiration

The inspiration for SolarCity came from the recognition that there was more to the solar industry than simply manufacturing and selling solar panels. Two brothers realized that people did not necessarily want to own solar panels, and often could not afford them. They realized that people wanted energy to power their homes, and that people would want it even more if it was clean and affordable. This created an opportunity to give people a chance to improve the method of production of their energy, without the crippling costs of a usual sustainable system. This was the birth of the solar service SolarCity is known to provide.

Kurt joined the team when it reached the Northeast. He recognized the benefits that the company could provide to society and the environment. When I asked him what specifically he admired about the company he responded with "our vision, what our goal is as a company and what we stand behind. The way we take care of not only our homeowners, clients, and customers, but our employees as well." During Kurt's time at SolarCity he has helped the sales team in the Northeast region grow organically from within from 1 to about 25 sales teams. This has exponentially increased the company's ability to create clean, sustainable energy for the US as a whole. As the company continues to become more efficient and solar technologies increase, the benefits from this energy will continue to grow.

Overall impact

Kurt LaBrecque states that "we have provided a disruptive solution for energy, for homeowners and for businesses, on a massive scale. We have made it so that it is feasible, not only financially but time-wise, permit-wise, and technology-wise to go solar and the rewards financially make it a no-brainer." SolarCity has made it possible for environmentally conscious people to support the change to renewable energy. But it goes beyond this, SolarCity makes it beneficial for everyone to make the switch to renewable energy, as customers will save money on their utility bills. SolarCity has made it financially viable to go solar.

It is a switch that benefits financially, environmentally, and socially.

Business benefit

The business benefit is intertwined in the company. There is a reason why SolarCity is the #1 full-service solar provider in the United States. The company has provided a profitable way to provide clean energy to the country. Not only do sales help the company, but customers experience an average savings of 15-25% for leases. This is the average savings for doing absolutely nothing other than provide a surface for the panels. The company also maintains, warranties, and insures the panels, allowing for customers to receive benefits in the long term. Customers can sit back and enjoy the rewards of using the sun to power their homes.

If customers elect to buy the panels, there is the initial cost, but then customers experience the entire net savings of the energy that is captured and stored with the solar panels. Either option is advantageous to the customer. Kurt noted that "power bills are going up, they are not going away, so solar panels are just a logical no-brainer thing to do because they will produce power for the next 35-50 years and help the environment at the same time."

Social and environmental benefit

The environmental benefit of solar energy is producing energy without toxic pollution or global warming emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that electricity generation is currently the largest industrial source of air emissions in the United States. Fossil fuels alone account for 40% of carbon dioxide emissions, 23% of nitrogen oxide emissions, and 67% of sulfur dioxide emissions. Not only do these cause health problems, but the greenhouse gases increase the risk of global warming and climate change. This is in comparison to solar energy production, a production that has created a negligible amount of emissions resulting from the lack of combustion of fossil fuels.

One great societal benefit of the company is that for every 1,000 panels that it installs, it pays for a less developed country's school to go solar. This is a school system that is off the power grid. This program is called the GivePower Foundation. It has paid for schools across the globe, in countries such as Nepal and Belize, to obtain electricity. Not only does SolarCity give these schools power, but it also teaches how to maintain and work the system, as well as set up some equipment such as lighting and computers. It is a mission that truly gives power, power that these schools systems would have no way of attaining.

Interview

Kurt LaBrecque, Regional Sales Manager