Increasing Solar Development

Crowdfunded Solar: The UK has removed the investment tangles and is moving quickly to cheaper and more efficient solar and even community wind projects with crowdfunding. Here though, companies like Solar Mosaic offer low-risk investmentloans in solar photovoltaic systems across the U.S. (repaid with interest over life of the loan). You can select a project, invest and have cash payments flow into your account with interest over time. See RMI.org or www.solarmosaic.com.

Direct Ownership: In Colorado, plummeting solar photovoltaic costs (70% drop in last three years), local and federal incentives, and escalating utility electricity rates have made flat-out ownership of a solar system a very good investment. It’s cheaper in Georgia, too, even without subsidies.

Third-Party Finance: Still a goal in GA, many places in the U.S. offer power purchase agreements. Solar lease providers like SolarCity, SunRun and Sungevity offer zero-down solar leases, saving 15% on your bill from day one.

Community Solar Gardens: In another example from Colorado, Clean Energy Collective offers customers a way to invest in renewable generation for up to 100% of their electricity use. This can provide a return on investment and is open to individuals without rooftop space of their own.

Direct Stock Purchase: Perhaps the most obvious way for individuals to invest in solar, anyone can buy stock in publicly traded upstream solar companies like the NASDAQ-listed SunPower (SPWR), First Solar (FSLR) and Enphase (ENPH).