GREENFIELD — Greenfield just got a little bit greener.
About five solar power companies sent representatives from across the nation and the county to show residents how they too can afford to live more environmentally friendly lives by opting for solar energy at the annual Better Greener Living Show on the Franklin County Fairgrounds on Sunday.
Solar power companies had a strong presence at the event this weekend, where residents learned how to power their homes with solar, how to finance solar and save on electricity, all while staying within a budget. Most of the solar companies came with the message that solar is no longer for just the wealthy.
With no money down, residents can take advantage of solar energy savings by using solar leasing companies, said Granby resident Kim Otis, a sales manager and energy consultant with Vivint Solar.
Homeowners can borrow the panels and buy the energy from the solar company as opposed to the electric company, saving from 40 to 60 percent on their electricity bill.
According to Otis, her organization is only growing and has already completed 10,000 installations throughout Massachusetts. “Just think about what you are doing for the environment. It’s going green,” she said.
Other residents may opt to buy their own panels. While there is typically a larger upfront cost, residents save more in the long run, said Matt Tofel of First Sun Solar Co.
After four to six years, the solar panels should pay for themselves. Over the course of 25 years, residents could triple their money in savings. “As the price of electricity keeps going up, it pays for itself faster,” said Tofel.
Financing solar panels is also becoming more appealing for homeowners with the Mass Solar Loan program, which offers low interest rates and can help finance the purchase of solar panels for those with annual household incomes below $80,241.
“Solar is no longer just for rich people. It’s now much more affordable for everyone,” said Tofel.
No matter what solar company or method for financing, almost everyone at the fair could agree that solar is an inevitable next step for the future of the energy industry. “It’s something that is bound to happen and it’s something that we need to do,” said Christian Morales, a representative from Solar City, a California-based solar company with an office in Springfield. He said that their customers can safely rely on solar to power their whole homes.
“It’s a movement. We are just doing our part,” said Elizabeth Olszewski, another representative from Solar City, which serves at least a couple hundred homes and businesses in western Massachusetts.
For those customers who don’t love the aesthetic of solar panels, there are solar shingles, said Amherst resident Edward Rosner of Amergy, another solar company at the fair. No matter what type of solar energy residents choose, it’s a win for everyone involved, he said.
“It’s more and more possible these days. The financing options now make things a lot more accessible,” said Toby Moran, a worker-owner at the Greenfield-based solar company PV Squared (Pioneer Valley Photovoltaics).
Within the last 15 years PV Squared has completed over 1,000 solar installations in western Massachusetts.
“It’s an exciting time to be in the industry,” said John Griese, a designer at PV Squared.
Franklin County Chamber of Commerce and Greening Greenfield’s annual Better Greener Living Show featured more than 45 vendors and 16 workshops to help residents lighten their impact on the environment, while improving their quality of life.
You can reach Lisa Spear
at lspear@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 280