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Installing Solar? Here’s How You Can Save Money

Southern California Edison adds a new solar section to its Marketplace to help customers save on solar installations.

Installing Solar? Here’s How You Can Save Money

Southern California Edison adds a new solar section to its Marketplace to help customers save on solar installations.

Published 03-11-20

Submitted by Edison International

Customers can save money on installing solar by going to the SCE Marketplace.

By Julia Roether

According to a recent report from the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan think tank, 54% of West Coast homeowners are considering putting solar panels on their rooftops.

For Southern California Edison customers thinking about installing solar panels, there’s a new tool that can make the process easier and save them money. A solar section has been added to the SCE Marketplace.

“At SCE, we believe our customers should be able to benefit from solar and other renewable energy sources,” said Jessica Lim, SCE’s principal manager of Product Management. “We support customer choice and our customers who install solar. The SCE Marketplace will help our customers make more informed decisions when it comes to installing and financing a solar rooftop system.”

Customers simply enter their address, type of residential dwelling and average monthly bill to find out if going solar makes sense. If it does, they can get cost comparisons from different solar companies and financing options, if needed. The service is free for customers.

When they use the service to install solar panels, customers will receive a $500 SCE Marketplace discount. Additionally, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, they can potentially save up to 30% on the total cost of a rooftop solar system by having multiple companies compete for their business. The service also shields customers from high-pressure sales tactics, a common customer complaint.

How It Works:

Making the Decision 

  • The customer fills out their information to determine if going solar makes sense for their situation.
  • If it makes sense, a local dedicated energy advisor is assigned. The advisor is there to assist them through the entire SCE Marketplace process, including selecting a solar contractor, obtaining financing (if needed) and installing a solar rooftop system. This process starts with a short call with the customer.
  • After the initial call, a rooftop solar system, tailored to the customer’s home, is designed. This ensures that the system is the right size for the home and that each solar company is providing a bid based on the same system blueprint.
Comparing Costs
  • ​The system design is then sent to a contractor network to get offers based on the customer’s needs. If needed, financing terms will also be gathered.
  • Once the contractor’s offers are received, they will be analyzed to determine the top three options. The offers are ranked based on 50 different criteria.
  • The top three offers are sent to the customer. The advisor reviews the offers with the customer, including the calculations of projected savings, overall costs and more.
Installing the Solar System
  • If the customer decides to move forward with an offer, they will be given a contract from the selected solar installer to review and sign.
  • After the contract is signed, the advisor puts the customer and the selected solar installer’s project manager in touch.
  • A dedicated customer service representative will continue to remain involved during the installation process to answer any questions and ensure a positive outcome for the customer.
  • For a year after the system is installed, the energy advisor will follow up with the customer  quarterly to make sure the system is performing as expected and the customer is satisfied

 

SCE plans to launch a similar energy storage service this spring. When the energy storage section of the marketplace launches, customers will be able to explore both standalone energy storage options and solar plus energy storage options.

The solar section of the SCE Marketplace supports SCE’s vision for achieving a clean energy future. SCE recently released Pathway 2045, a blueprint for reaching California’s ambitious greenhouse gas reduction and carbon neutrality goals. 

Read more on the ENERGIZED by Edison blog

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Edison International

Edison International

Edison International (NYSE:EIX), through its subsidiaries, is a generator and distributor of electric power and an investor in energy services and technologies, including renewable energy. Headquartered in Rosemead, Calif., Edison International is the parent company of Southern California Edison, one of the nation’s largest electric utilities.

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