Sungevity Expands Solar Services Simultaneously To New Mexico And Vermont

OAKLAND, Calif., Aug. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Sungevity, Inc., a leading global provider of residential solar services, has expanded operations into New Mexico and Vermont, bringing the total to 12 U.S. markets and select locations across the globe. Local homeowners can now take advantage of Sungevity's instant online quoting technology that enables consumers to review design options, installation costs and estimated energy savings in three easy steps. Reducing one's energy bill and carbon footprint has never been easier.

The expansion into New Mexico and Vermont expands the company's footprint to 12 states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey and New York and Washington, D.C. Global markets include the Netherlands and a joint venture in Australia.

The expansion into New Mexico and Vermont coincides with an accelerated momentum for solar power in the U.S. The number of solar panel installations in the country surged 79% quarter over quarter to a record 1.3 GW in the first quarter of 2014, according to GTM Research and SEIA (Solar Energy Industries Association). According to US Solar Market Insights analysis, residential installations have outpaced commercial for the first time since 2002. A separate GTM Research report ranked Sungevity among the top three solar residential installers in the U.S. 

New Mexico and Vermont were both identified as markets with an active interest in and opportunity for residential solar energy solutions. New Mexico ranks #10 among U.S. states in the number of solar-powered houses, reflecting residents' receptivity to solar-based energy. Vermont on the other hand, is experiencing above-average electricity rates, a streamlined permitting process for rooftop solar, and a new policy increasing the net metering cap from 4% to 15% of a utility's peak load that enables solar customers to receive more credit for energy they send back to the grid.

Each state also employs more than 1,000 people in the solar industry, thus enabling Sungevity to enter markets that are already familiar with solar's economic and environmental benefits.

"From the beginning, we have called this a rooftop revolution, and the growth we've seen in the industry, as well as for our company, bears witness to this. In delivering homeowners a hassle-free way to estimate, design and install a solar solution for their home, we have ultimately doubled our own sales," said Andrew Birch, Sungevity's Chief Executive Officer. "Bringing our services to New Mexico and Vermont furthers our mission of strategically increasing our footprint to help homeowners get relief from rising energy costs while simultaneously reducing reliance on fossil fuels."

Sungevity's advantage for homeowners includes:

• Proprietary iQuote^® technology that provides solar installation design proposals, quotes and energy savings estimates online within 24 hours after receiving a request. Each iQuote offers detailed purchasing options and is tailored to the individual home based on aerial photography, historical consumption rates and more. New Instant iQuote technology delivering the same information in seconds is expected to roll out in New Mexico and Vermont by early 2015.
• Expert local installers who have gone through Sungevity's lengthy screening process, ensuring deep solar installation experience while also keeping jobs in the New Mexico and Vermont communities.
• Dedicated project managers who oversee the details of each installation from start to finish, providing one-stop scheduling, permitting, installation, inspection and interconnection without the complications of dealing with multiple personnel.  

All homeowners in New Mexico and Vermont can request a Sungevity iQuote by filling out an online form at http://www.sungevity.com/get-your-iquote. Sierra Club members in both states who purchase solar installations from Sungevity can earn a $750 discount for themselves, as well as a $750 donation to the Sierra Club through its participation in the Sungevity.org cause marketing initiative. The Sierra Club is one of nearly 115 nonprofits participating in the Sungevity.org program, which has donated more than $1.5 million to nonprofit partners since its inception three years ago in return for referring business to their members.

"Our partnership with Sungevity allows our members to take personal action toward a cleaner planet while doing something good for themselves too," said Michael Brune, Sierra Club Executive Director. "Home solar is good for everyone, and we couldn't be happier to expand our partnership into these two new states."

ABOUT SUNGEVITY

Sungevity is a global solar energy provider focused on making it easy and affordable for homeowners to benefit from solar power. Leveraging proprietary remote solar design technology, Sungevity can deliver a quote instantly without a home visit and provide homeowners with immediate visibility to savings on their electricity bills. The company continues to grow its global customer base and now services 11 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, The Netherlands and a joint venture in Australia. Sungevity also is an exclusive residential solar partner with Lowe's in the U.S., and was recently recognized by B Corp as one of the "Best for the World" companies for using the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. For more information, visit www.sungevity.com

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SOURCE Sungevity, Inc.