USA Today charts SolarCity's attempt to create a national brand for residential solar.

CSM describes affordable solar options.

AUDIO CLIP: Oregon's flagship NPR station descibes SolarCity's new PurePower solar service

The Oregonian describes SolarCity's PurePower service.

IBD's Donna Howell reports on SolarCity and U.S. Bancorp's announcement that they are doubling the size of their fund to finance solar projects.

Reuters reports on the expansion of the SolarCity / U.S. Bancorp fund

The New York Times details SolarCity's effort to build a solar-powered electric vehicle charging corridor to connect San Francisco and Los Angeles

Reports SolarCity's acquisition of the SolSource Energy Business of Clean Fuel Connection Inc., a provider of renewable energy and electric vehicle charging infrastructure based in Los Angeles.

The Van Der Lindens of Rocklin, Calif., discuss their rationale for leasing a solar system.

Dwell Magazine's Miyoko Ohtake explores the pros and cons of leasing vs. owning a solar system.

BusinessWeek names SolarCity one of 25 "Next Energy Innovators", interviews a SolarCity customer, and describes its leasing program.

Solar Industry Magazine describes SolarCity's PPA offering.

Forbes' Andy Stone interviews Lyndon Rive about SolarCity's history, the origin of solar leasing, and more.

KTVU highlights the first graduating class of Oakland' Green Jobs Corps, and interviews crew lead Andrew Adelman about SolarCity's job openings

Josh Dorfman, the self-titled "Lazy Environmentalist", suggests SolarCity's lease option is a way to be environmentally conscious and also save money.

Fox Business News' Liz Claman interviews Lyndon Rive about Latest Developments in Residential Solar

The Register's Pat Brennan discusses SolarCity's deal with U.S. Bank, lease offering and hiring in Orange County.

The Wall Street Journal's Keith Johnson discusses SolarCity's deal with U.S. Bank

Article discusses SolarCity's recognition from Acterra as 2009 Environmental Enterprise of the Year.

The future of clean energy is suddenly looking brighter, said Daniel Gross. The clean-energy business has accomplished one breakthrough after another...

National Bank of Arizona is the latest Valley business to install solar-energy panels on its buildings, and alternative energy proponents say that having a financial institution "go solar" shows the systems make economic sense...SolarCity, a California company that has been offering systems to Arizona homeowners and businesses for about a year, is installing the $1 million project.

SolarCity, a solar designer and installer, has unveiled a new 100-kilowatt (kW) solar installation at Intel’s Jones Farm Campus in Hillsboro, Oregon...

"SolarCity was dubbed “the Swiss arms dealer” of solar installation by VentureBeat, although “Swiss army knife” might be more like it. The company sells, leases, installs and maintains solar panels for residences and small businesses, with a sideline in energy efficiency consulting. The idea is to convince geographic clusters of homes and businesses to go solar, and then reap cost savings from economies of scale...."

"SolarCity has extended their "Think Half" promotion, which means that you can install solar panels for half the regular price, including services, monitoring, installation and a guarantee..."

Venturebeat discusses SolarCIty's tax equity fund with Greystone

The Sierra Club discusses the top five myths of going solar.

Newsweek's Daniel Gross discusses the popularity of SolarCity's lease program, and proposes that solar financing is the "real green innovation" that the "future of solar" depends on.

KTLA's Gayle Anderson interviews SolarCity's Jim Cahill and Abode's Robin Hughes about the solar installation at Morgan Place in Crenshaw.

ABC 15 interviews SolarCity's Jim Beard about solar options in Phoenix.

Bay Area News Group's Julia Scott interviews SolarCity installer Micah Fromkin about solar training options.

Through March 31, Santa Monica residents will have a golden opportunity to go solar, thanks to a special offer by SolarCity, in partnership with First Solar. According to Rive: “What’s really unique about this is that for the first time we are bringing thin-film solar to residential homes. It’s historically never been offered to residential customers before..."

CNN's Tony Harris and Alison Kosik discuss SolarCity's SolarLease option.

Among the incentives, the plan will allow developers of renewable-energy projects to swap tax credits for cash grants. SolarCity, a Foster City, Calif., company that's one of the nation's largest residential solar firms, will end a hiring freeze in place since December and begin seeking more installers immediately, said Chief Executive Lyndon Rive.

The farming operation has partnered with MMA Renewable Ventures and SolarCity to help get off the grid. Montna Farms, which is one of the largest suppliers of short-grain rice in the United States, plans to supply 65 percent of its energy needs with two acres of solar panels.

Montna Farms, SolarCity Corporation and MMA Renewable Ventures announced the completion of a 394 kilowatt (kW) solar power system installed at the company’s farm in Yuba City.

installer Solar City, of Foster City, Calif., recently started installing First Solar's cadmium-telluride panels on California homes. ...First Solar's panels, which are black and look like skylights, are a hit with homeowners because of their sleek design, says Peter Rive, chief financial officer at Solar City, which owns the solar-panel systems it installs and leases them to the occupants. "In terms of aesthetics, it's superior to everything else," he says.

SolarCity CEO Lyndon Rive discusses how the financial downturn is affecting the solar industry.

Now, the head of one of the leading solar companies in the U.S. is lobbying Congress for reforms to the investment tax credit for renewable energy installations he says would stimulate investment and spur growth in the industry. Lyndon Rive, chief executive of solar installation giant SolarCity, is circulating an open letter to Congress and went to Washington...

View Chapter 5-Green Jobs...the "new dot.com". SolarCity demonstrates how its Solar Panel Install training program is creating more jobs and contributing to the economy growing. * Must download Quicktime to view video

The builder, De Young Properties of Fresno, is incorporating energy efficiency and green components...this house includes a solar-energy system valued at $30,000 to $40,000 that was donated by SolarCity of Foster City and First Solar of Tempe, Ariz. The 5-kilowatt system uses thin-film technology that is more common on commercial and utility-scale projects. SolarCity, however, has just started using it on houses, and the Makeover property is one of the first in the state to receive it, says Jonathan Bass, company spokesman.

The California-based company Solar City, the state's top residential solar power provider according to California's Public Utilities Commission, is rapidly growing the leasing approach for homeowners. "Thanks to new financing options, rebates and tax credits, an investment in solar power delivers a better, more predictable return than most other investments available today," Solar City's CEO, Lyndon Rive..."One of the industry's greatest challenges," Rive added, "is making more people aware of these benefits."

"Cracking the storage nut would be huge," says Peter Rive, co-founder of SolarCity, the country's largest residential solar-panel-installation company. "In fact, it's required for us to be able to get completely off of fossil fuels." Using current lead-acid battery storage, Rive calculates, you'd need about 2,000 pounds of batteries to store enough energy to power an average house at night or during a period of extended cloud cover. Nocera thinks he can do it with about a gallon of water.

North Oakland residents are taking advantage of a chance to install solar power... One Block Off the Grid is harnessing Bay Area interest in clean energy and using the power of collective buying to obtain cheaper prices on solar panels in order to encourage people to use clean energy. SolarCity beat out other companies with competitive prices, thinner panels and free add-ons such as energy-consumption monitoring. "It lets people make improvements to their homes or change their behavior and see the impact immediately," Llorens said.

Brothers Lyndon and Peter Rive are the founders of SolarCity, and they've made it their mission to make solar power accessible to everyone. "In the past, solar was typically only available to the wealthy--with a price tag of about $60,000 to install," says Lyndon. "We've designed a system that allows someone to go solar without putting down that money."

...this house includes a few added features, including a solar-energy system valued at $30,000 to $40,000 that was donated by SolarCity and First Solar. The 5-kilowatt system uses thin-film technology that is more common on commercial and utility-scale projects. SolarCity, however, has just started using it on houses, and the Makeover property is one of the first in the state to receive it, said Jonathan Bass, company spokesman.

Joyce Evans of SolarCity speaks about the power of volunteering and using solar energy

More than 3,800 local residents are wielding hammers, flicking plumb lines, mounting solar panels...to help a Fresno family get a new home in a week. ...Evans and Camin helped to install the roof mountings and solar panels, which are key parts in the home's green construction. They are employees at solar-panel installers SolarCity, which donated its work.

Consumer group One Block Off the Grid (1BOG) has inked a deal with SolarCity to provide special pricing (up to 25 percent off the retail price) or financing for solar power system design, installation, monitored and other related services to Bay Area residents who are part of its registered community base. SolarCity will also offer qualified 1BOG program members free SolarGuard Energy Monitoring and a free Home Energy Audit (which the community group values at about $4,300). To be considered for registration in the 1BOG program, visit this Web link before Jan. 31, 2009.

focused on renewable energy in Arizona and Germany’s leadership. The radio show host interviewed James Beard, regional sales director, discussing the current subsidies given to oil and gas and the support needed for energy policies to change. 04:50-05:35 (clip attached as file)

Despite the turbulent economy, or perhaps because of it, solar energy remains a growth industry in California....Sales increased because consumers now see solar as a safe economic bet, and a hedge against rising energy prices, said Lyndon Rive, chief executive of Solar City, a solar installer based in Foster City.

Consumers who don’t want to buy have another option: SolarCity, a California-based company, leases, installs and services rooftop-installed solar panels for a monthly fee. A lease/buy plan also is available. The company, which at this writing is the first to provide this specific service in Arizona, also serves California and Oregon.

As a founder of PayPal, Elon Musk made $250 million in an Internet minute. But then he got bored. He wanted a bigger challenge. Much bigger. So he asked himself: What are the three largest, most important, most difficult challenges of our time? The answer: solar power, space travel, and electric cars. Then he tried to tackle all three at once....The 34-year-old penitent who realizes he’s just not doing his part, greenhouse-gas-wise, and becomes the chairman and controlling shareholder of SolarCity, turning the company into one of the nation’s biggest installers of solar panels? There.

Waldorf School of the Peninsula, a K-8 school in Los Altos, partnered with SolarCity to commemorate the opening of the school’s new solar-energy system Dec. 6 at the school’s Holiday Faire

Rebates and new financing models spur adoption despite the recession. "That has really spurred the market," said Lyndon Rive, chief executive of SolarCity, a Foster City, Calif.-based solar installer. "Our cash sales have increased dramatically." For consumers who still can't afford to purchase, SolarCity has a residential leasing option. It lets them put solar on their roofs without the hefty upfront costs.... The deal has proved so popular that it has turned SolarCity into the state's largest installer of residential rooftop photovoltaics.

Siblings Lyndon and Pete Rive run their company SolarCity Corp. like coaches of a football team.

Waldorf School teaches local students the merits of green through classes, new solar installation by SolarCity

SolarCity, a solar installer and financier based in Foster City, Calif., has installed one of the country’s first thin-film solar projects on a residential roof.

SolarCity installs solar panels on Grace Cathederal in San Francisco, CA

California's green plan and challenges

Homeowner Mike Corral paid nothing to have SolarCity install ...The system is owned and maintained by SolarCity, a Foster City firm that began leasing solar systems in April and so far has signed leases to place systems on nearly 1,600 houses in California and Arizona

People commonly think solar power is a great green move, but one that also costs a great deal. SolarCity (based in Foster City, California) is changing this, removing the barriers to going green by putting solar panels on rooftops with no upfront cost, helping residences and businesses save money from day one.

Intel's first solar electric installation in the world is in Oregon.The solar panels, installed by Solar City Inc....

The $800,000 system was built at Intel’s Oregon location...SolarCity Inc. of Foster City, Calif., did the install

The solar service or lease approach fits more easily into people's lives. They pay their utility bills monthly, and solar service or lease programs add up to another monthly bill. SolarCity Chief Executive Lyndon Rive said established companies like his are in a good position.. they have the credibility needed in a tight credit market to get financing from banks to buy the systems, plus they have the capability to install, monitor and maintain the systems.

The solar panels, being installed by SolarCity Inc. on the roof of Jones Farm 4...Intel Oregon, with 15,000 employees, is Intel’s largest site in the world and an anchor tenant of Oregon’s economy.

When Palm Desert started its five-year crusade to cut energy use by 30 percent...Today, with the town of 50,000 leading the nation with its innovative energy loan program...

Cutting down your utility bill, with CNBC's Carmen Wong Ulrich Lyndon Rive, CEO of SolarCity featured

CNBC discusses solar leasing on its "On the Money" program.

The Financial Times is today launching a competition to find the world's most creative ideas for tackling the threat of climate change. Among the ideas that readers uncover...we would hope to find proposals that could match up to flourishing initiatives such as ...SolarCity...

Greening of Silicon Valley....The owner showed up just then – a Tesla exec, it turned out – and the hipsters started peppering him with questions and asking after the company’s founder (who they referred to by first name like an old pal or beloved guru). Turned out they were all employees of Solar City, one of the young installation companies driving California’s solar boom.

"This is a gift," said Lyndon Rive, president of SolarCity, a Foster City company that designs, installs and operates solar power systems. "We could not ask for a president who's more focused on energy independence and renewable power."

Only church in the area, St. Cross by the Sea Episcopal Church, hired SolarCity to install its solar system

The company recently struck deals with Pasadena Water and Power and Southern California Edison allowing customers of the utilities to take out long-term leases for solar panels and pay as little as $1,000 for the systems, compared to paying $20,000 to $30,000 upfront for a solar panel array.

"Lots of people would like to put solar panels on their homes, but find the investment is too great. But there is a way to do it without the big upfront costs."

Arizonans have the opportunity to power their homes with solar panels made by Tempe-based First Solar Inc. The company said it inked a deal with Foster City, Calif.-based SolarCity Corp. to sell the residential-installation company enough panels for 25,000 homes in the next five years

First Solar company has just made its first foray here in the U.S. with a $25 million investment in SolarCity, the top installer in California. Thanks to the extension of the Investment Tax Credit, First Solar and other companies have the visibility they need to commit capital to this market. SolarCity offers an attractive financing solution, in partnership with Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS), that lets people lease rather than buy solar installations. In combination with First Solar's low-cost panels, this looks like a pretty strong offering, and I look forward to monitoring its traction with customers in the quarters ahead.

On the same day that the First Solar released its quarterly financial report, the company announced it has signed a module supply agreement with SolarCity. As part of a five-year, 100-MW panel deal with SolarCity to supply the U.S. residential market for the first time, the thin-film PV leader also said it has made an equity investment in the system integrator. SolarCity serves California, Arizona, and Oregon with plans to expand into additional states. The company said its SolarLease financing option allows homeowners to switch to solar power for less money than they currently pay for electricity from their power company, without the need for a large upfront investment.

Solar panel maker First Solar Inc. said Wednesday it's entering the U.S. residential market by signing a five-year contract with SolarCity Corp. Under the agreement, First Solar will supply 100 megawatts of thin film modules to SolarCity, a Foster City, Calif., residential solar installer, beginning in the first quarter of 2009.

First Solar, which produces the lowest-cost solar cells in the industry, will also take a minority stake in SolarCity with a $25 million equity investment in the privately held company, which installs clean-power systems in California, Arizona and Oregon.

SolarCity, the Foster City solar-system installer, inked a deal Wednesday that will bring thin-film solar panels to residential rooftops for the first time, the company said. The five-year contract calls for First Solar of Tempe, Ariz., to supply 100 megawatts of its thin-film solar modules to SolarCity starting in early 2009. The deal will provide panels for up to 25,000 homes. By using thin-film panels, SolarCity will be able to keep the cost to consumers at the same level despite the reduction in rebate dollars, according to Lyndon Rive, chief executive officer of SolarCity. "Cost is important to us,'' he said. SolarCity is the largest installer of residential solar systems in California, the company says, citing California Energy Commission data. Its business has grown rapidly since it began offering a solar-lease program earlier this year that allows a homeowner to get solar without a significant up-front payment.

In a move that will bring thin-film solar panels to the U.S. residential market, First Solar has signed a deal to provide installer SolarCity with 100 megawatts’ worth of solar arrays over the next five years. First Solar is also investing $25 million into SolarCity, the Silicon Valley startup backed by Tesla Motors founder Elon Musk. This is First Solar’s initial foray into the home market — and apparently the first of any thin-film solar module maker. SolarCity CEO Lyndon Rive told Green Wombat that First Solar’s more economical panels will allow the company to expand to the East Coast and other areas that do not heavily subsidize solar. SolarCity installs solar panels at no cost to the homeowner and then leases them back for a monthly charge. “What matters is not efficiency but cost per kilowatt-hour,” Rive says, noting that solar programs like California’s reduce rebates to panel makers as the number of installations increase. “We need solutions that address declining subsidies.” Added SolarCity communications director Jonathan Bass: “When we talk to customers their four biggest priorities are cost, cost, cost and aesthetics.” Beginning in early 2009, SolarCity will start receiving 20 megawatts’ worth of First Solar panels a year. Rive won’t disclose how many megawatts SolarCity currently installs annually, but 20 megawatts would seem to represent a significant expansion of the startup’s operations. Over the past two years, SolarCity has installed solar arrays for 2,500 homes and small businesses and a spokeswoman says the First Solar deal would supply enough panels for about 5,000 homes a year.

Solar energy industry bellwether First Solar (FSLR) late Wednesday reported third-quarter profit that far exceeded analyst views, after earlier in the day announcing its first foray into the U.S. residential solar market. Earlier in the day, word that First Solar will supply panels to home-solar firm SolarCity helped boost First Solar shares 1.5%. First Solar also said it will make a $25 million investment in SolarCity. The company decided to partner with SolarCity after Congress this month extended solar-investment tax credits another eight years, as part of the $700 billion financial bailout package. SolarCity, First Solar's U.S. residential partner, leases to users about 2,000 home-solar systems in California and in the Phoenix and Portland, Ore., areas. With about $58 million in funding and via a tax-rebate program with Morgan Stanley, (MS) the company promises residents that it can cut their power bills with no upfront investment needed. Homeowners often find they can cut their energy costs by 20% to 30%, says SolarCity Chief Executive Lyndon Rive. But he says the company needed the less-costly solar gear provided by First Solar in order to bring about savings in locales where tax rebates are minimal and where conventional power is relatively cheap. "First Solar . . . allows us to go into markets we haven't been able to enter into before," Rive said, adding that SolarCity is looking at East Coast deployments for 2009.

The solar panel maker announced plans to enter the U.S residential market with a minority stake in SolarCity, a solar panel installer. – I like what’s going on here, says Pete Najarian.

First Solar announced it had invested $25 million in SolarCity and has agreed to supply thin-film panels to the solar financer and installer. The deal calls for First Solar to deliver 100 megawatts worth of solar panels to SolarCity over five years beginning in the first quarter of 2009. SolarCity, based in Foster City, Calif., installs solar-power systems on residential and small commercial properties in California, Arizona and Oregon. The company also offers leasing options, paying part of the upfront cost of a system, which could set homeowners back roughly $30,000. The $25 million in funding is part of a $30 million round the company raised, with investors including JP Morgan, Draper Fisher Jurvetson and DBL Investors. The round brings SolarCity's total capital to $56 million. The thin-film maker's entry into the residential market - and its interest in SolarCity - is perhaps not surprising. Ahearn complimented SolarCity at the Solar Power International conference in San Diego two weeks ago during a panel that also included SolarCity CEO Lyndon Rive. Speaking about the residential solar market, "You still have to be an enthusiast and get it done," Ahren said. "SolarCity has done a better job than most."

Solar installer SolarCity raised $30 million in new funding, $25 million coming from the world’s largest thin film solar panel manufacturer First Solar. The Foster City business has raised $56 million in venture capital and equity financing and is the largest residential installer in California. The money will help the company expand into other states in addition to Oregon and Arizona. First Solar’s panels will help the company drive down costs in its lease program, which offers residential customers in some markets the opportunity to lease their panels at a lower cost than what they pay for electricity. With thin film, SolarCity can offer immediate cost savings in more markets in the United States, Rive said.

Thin-film solar darling First Solar and solar installer SolarCity have announced a deal today that will bring First Solar’s thin film solar product to U.S. residential customers for the first time.

U.S. financial markets are in the doldrums, but things look bright for SolarCity. The Foster City, Calif., solar installer said Wednesday that it had received $30 million in funding to help it finance its U.S. expansion.

As part of its $7.5 million commitment to increase solar power in San Francisco, PG&E donated more than $100,000 to install a solar photovoltaic (PV) system for Mission Housing. The PV system was installed by Solar City, the No. 1 residential and small commercial solar power provider in California. Mission Housing Development Corporation (Mission Housing) was joined by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom today at the unveiling of a new solar energy system donated by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). The solar installation at Valencia Gardens, a 260-unit affordable housing development, will allow Mission Housing to power their senior center, computer laboratory and other child care center.

Don't get me wrong -- I'm as upset as the next person that our tax dollars will go to bail out unscrupulous banks -- but there is a silver lining to all those interested in renewable energy, which should be everyone worried about climate change, peak oil, or energy independence. The really good news is that the bill extends tax credits for solar energy of all types for the next eight years, and removes the current US $2,000 cap for homeowners. This means that renewable energy is now more competitive with utility rates, the investment pays for itself in a shorter time frame, and homeowners can more easily guarantee their electricity costs for the next 20-30 years. Some California companies like SunRun and SolarCity have lease programs that emulate power purchase agreements that have been successfully employed for larger commercial systems for years. In many cases, the monthly costs will be less than the prices homeowners are paying for higher-tier electricity from the utility.

GoSolarMarin selected SolarCity of Foster City to provide photovoltaic systems for commercial and residential rate payers who register. Customers also can lease solar equipment from SolarCity and receive their first three months free.

A Silicon Valley startup rents solar panels to homeowners - a strategy that is both cost-effective for customers and, thanks to generous tax breaks, a boon to its bottom line.

TIME interviews Van Jones, the head of the non-profit Green For All and the author of the new book The Green-Collar Economy, about green-collar jobs. The article includes an image of SolarCity installer Jeremy Worall.

CNET’s Martin LaMonica writes an article on what several solar companies are doing to grow their business despite the current economic situation. The article mentions that SolarCity eliminates the upfront costs for consumers to buy solar panels

The green collar economy is set to get a boost from a new initiative in Oakland that will partner at-risk young adults with green businesses. On Monday the city of Oakland, with Mayor Ron Dellums, plans to officially launch the Green Collar Jobs Corps program, which, with the help of Foster City, Calif.-based solar installer startup SolarCity, will provide training and employment opportunities for program graduates.

Residential solar installer SolarCity is looking to differentiate itself from the herd of other installers serving homeowners in the West with its SolarGuard 2.0, an upgrade to its online monitoring service, and Canopy, a new panel mounting system. The Foster City, Calif.-based startup showed off the two new features at the Solar Power International Conference in San Diego on Wednesday.

SolarCity, based in Foster City, Calif., has unveiled a new edition of SolarGuard, its graphical, Web-based energy monitoring system.

The San Francisco Examiner writes about the growing clean tech industry in Silicon Valley and specifically in San Mateo County. The article includes San Mateo County companies SolarCity and Tesla Motors.

NBC 11 lists SolarCity as one of the top five companies hiring in the Silicon Valley. SolarCity’s Seth Weissman is interviewed for the segment. In Foster City, a company called Solar City is hiring. The solar power industry is growing by leaps and bounds, so the company, which helps people finance and install solar panels on their homes, is doing well. "This is absolutely the green economy at work," said employee Seth Weissman. He said even though the company has doubled in size, it has 100 new jobs to fill. "Jobs that are in a regular company, or non-green company, exist here, plus that ability to bring your values and passion to the workplace on a regular basis," he said. Then there is the electric car company Tesla, which has been the subject of national news profiles over the last several months. The company, which recently announced plans to build a giant production facility in North San jose, will add 1,000 jobs there.

10/15 KGTV in San Diego reports from the Solar Power International conference. SEPA’s Julia Hamm is in the segment, and discusses SolarCity in her interview

10/15 Greentech Media writes about the CEO panel with SolarCity, First Solar, Duke Energy, and Abengoa Solar that discussed a variety of solar industry topics. Lyndon Rive, CEO and founder of Foster City, Calif.-based SolarCity, said educating consumers about the benefits of tax credits, which will cut the solar energy system cost by 30 percent, will be key in persuading consumers to invest in solar during the economic downturn.

SolarCity, a company that leases solar panels to households, introduced on Wednesday a new version of its SolarGuard software that displays panels' production alongside a home's electricity usage.

Fox Business News interviews Lyndon Rive at Solar Power International. Rive discusses how SolarCity will benefit from the tax credit extensions, and how SolarCity is benefiting despite the current economic situation.

Blog talks about how SolarCity is expanding its territory to more than 300 communities in California, Arizona and Oregon, and setting its sights on solar-powering the whole country. The company is already a national leader in solar power system design, financing, installation and monitoring, and is California’s top residential solar power provider according to records kept by the California Public Utilities Commission. And it offers the first-of-its-kind SolarLease that lets homeowners switch to solar power for less money than they currently pay for electric—with no money down and no installation costs—so that customers start using renewable energy and saving money the day their solar systems are connected. But here’s the kicker: Electricity rates are expected to rise by as much as 20 percent in California next year. Maybe it’s time to take a second look at that tree. www.solarlease.solarcity.com

SolarCity: The solar installer startup backed by cleantech entrepreneur and investor Elon Musk has a few product announcements to make at the show. We’ll save the details of those ’til later this week, but SolarCity’s Lydon Rive is one of the only startup CEOs represented on a prominent solar CEO panel Wednesday morning. The company is based in Foster City, Calif., and has developed some innovative solar financing models, like a leasing plan with no up-front payment and a 15-year contract.

Overview of Solar Power International Conference Agenda and Schedule. SolarCity CEO, Lyndon Rive is a featured speaker on the Solar CEO Panel.

Lyndon Rive’s participation on a CEO Panel at SPI.

NBC 11’s Scott Budman posts a blog on his TV segment about the top 5 companies hiring in the Silicon Valley. SolarCity is included in the list.

‘Save with Dave’ segment interviews SolarCity customers Scott and Carrie Van Der Linden who talk about their recent panel installation and electricity savings. SolarCity’s Joanquin Moreno is also in the segment.

Please note that the article is in Vietnamese. SolarCity is featured in Nguoi-Viet, and includes SolarCity customer Khanh Nguyen.

Reporter Dave Bender discusses the benefits and low cost of leasing a solar panel system for your home.

"Nguyen says he is leasing the system for about $100 a month; but he expects his electricity bill, now about $150, to drop to $20 or $30 a month, so he'd end up saving money."

Solar-energy advocates look for innovative ways to reduce the upfront installation costs

The thriving solar industry in the North Bay area due to “the solar-hungry wine industry, liberal policies on the part of cities and counties and longstanding strong grassroots support for alternative energy sources.” SolarCity and the Go Solar Marin program are mentioned.

Gutman and her husband put off the idea for years, until they recently heard of Solar City, a company with offices in Arizona, California and Oregon that leases solar panels. The Gutmans said their 15-year-lease comes in at $142 a month, includes free repairs and no money down. If they move before their lease is up, they can either transfer the lease to the new owners, pay an opt-out fee, or buy the panels outright.

The Oakland Green Jobs Corps, a program that places at-risk youths into jobs helping the environment, is recruiting its first students as a contract gets finalized between the city of Oakland and three organizations chosen to run the training. SolarCity, SunLight & Power Co., Swinerton Green Building, REC Solar, and GRID Alternatives are companies involved with the training.

Elon Musk is featured in Esquire’s “75 Most Influential People of the 21st Century” article. SolarCity is mentioned.

KPHO, the CBS affliliate in Phoenix, discusses the advantages of leasing solar panels from SolarCity, vs. purchasing them with cash.

“More people should do this, No money out of pocket is a big deal for me.”

"The rough figure I'd had in my head was $40,000. But I discovered that, largely due to government incentives and rebate programs, we'd be able to have a system installed for closer to $10,000. Even better, we could avoid that up-front cost altogether and lease a solar system from SolarCity for about $68 per month."

"Most people say they would rather use clean energy over dirty energy. But in the same breath they will tell you it's too expensive. [Editor's note: An average solar panel setup can cost $20,000.] It shouldn't cost someone an arm and a leg to be good to the environment. We just started a lease program that allows consumers to pay for their solar system in monthly installments--for a small system it could be just $70 a month--making the cost comparable to a cable bill. This is an industry first."

Sausalito residents could benefit from an agreement the city made this summer to put solar panels atop City Hall. As part of the city's deal with Foster City-based SolarCity, the company will offer discounts if it can get a group of residents to buy solar systems for their homes.

"If you had the choice of using clean power over dirty power and paying less for it, wouldn't you take it?"

An Ahwatukee family will soon have solar panels installed on their roof, something they never thought they'd be able to afford a few years ago.

Real estate publication GlobeSt.com covers the British Motors solar installation from SolarCity. The article also discusses the "greening" of older buildings like British Motors. Peter Rive is quoted.

San Francisco Chronicle writes about SolarCity’s British Motors installation.

Newsweek interviews Elon Musk about the future of transportation. Musk devotes one of his answers to SolarCity.

CNET highlights SolarCity’s San Francisco offer.

San Francisco Business Times highlights SolarCity’s SF offer.

SolarCity is mentioned as the solar provider for the Grace Cathedral installation which was donated by PG&E.

Greentech Media interviews David Arfin at the Intersolar conference. The article also covers SolarCity’s SolarLease program.

New financial programs such as SolarCity's SolarLease make solar energy affordable

SolarCity's David Arfin will be speaking on the solar finance panel of the Intersolar Conference.

For SolarCity’s 2 year anniversary, Earth2Tech asks Lyndon Rive “about the company’s business model, community programs and power purchase agreements.”

Coverage from SolarCity’s Arizona launch continues from ABC 15 in Phoenix.

Story highlights SolarCity's installation of 70 solar panels for St. Cross by the Sea Episcopal Church

ZDNet writes about the SolarLease program.

Lyndon Rive is a guest on David Steinman’s Green Patriot Radio show. Rive discusses SolarCity’s SolarLease program

This East Valley Tribune article on solar power potential in Arizona mentions SolarCity’s recent launch and facility in Phoenix.

A Foster City, Calif.-based company that installs solar panels on homes and leases them to the owners is looking to hire 50 to 100 employees to begin serving Phoenix-area customers, SolarCity announced Monday.

KFNN Radio in Arizona covers SolarLease, and SolarCity’s move to Arizona.

FOX Business Network interviews Lyndon about SolarLease and the company’s expansion to Arizona.

NBC 12 News (Phoenix) covers SolarCity’s move to Phoenix

KJZZ-FM Phoenix NPR affiliate, discusses SolarLease and SolarCity’s move to Phoenix.

KTAR One of Phoenix’ leading sports radio stations covers SolarCity’s move to Arizona.

The Phoenix Business Journal covers SolarCity’s move to Arizona.

The East Valley Tribune covers SolarLease, and SolarCity’s move to Arizona.

Los Angeles’ Daily Breeze Newspaper covers SolarCity’s installation at St. Cross Episcopal Church in Hermosa Beach, including a photo of the installation.

NBC 11’s Scott Budman’s blog notes that SolarCity will appear on NBC 11.

Lyndon Rive participates in a solar roundtable on Alternative Energy.com.

NBC11 in the San Francisco Bay Area discusses the advantages of leasing solar panels from SolarCity, vs. purchasing them with cash.

Online Broadcasting Service via Brightcove interviews Peter Rive. Rive talks about the SolarLease program.

FOX Business Web Site highlights SolarCity’s Program for East Bay Communities.

Blog post on SolarCity’s Orange County seminars

CNET quotes Lyndon Rive on San Francisco’s incentive program.

KRON 4 News interviews Bay Area homeowners who are participating in SolarCity’s leasing program.

FOX Business News anchor Liz Claman interviews Lyndon Rive about SolarCity and the SolarLease program.

Bay Area residents interested in switching to solar power can learn more at a series of upcoming seminars hosted by residential solar installer SolarCity.

KTLA 5 Prime News story on how solar power for the home is now affordable. NOTE: The video will start immediately upon page loading.

Who are Silicon Valley's up-and-coming best and brightest? Silicon Valley Business Journal names Lyndon Rive as one of its “40 Under 40” executives to watch.

eBay unveiled San Jose’s largest solar installation, by SolarCity, last week with a system that spans 60,000 square feet atop multiple buildings at the company’s North Campus.

The “Flex Your Power” blog reposts an article highlighting the SolarLease, and updated their information to reflect that the lease option being offered to all of California and not just San Jose.

An image of SolarCity’s eBay solar installation.

EBay Inc. on Thursday unveiled the largest commercial solar installation in San Jose.

The Environmental Leader highlights the eBay solar installation.

The Daily Breeze highlights SolarCity and Pete Rive discussing products and financing at the South Bay Energy Fair.

“There are three areas that could change the world: One is the Internet, the other is changing the world from a hydrocarbon-based society to solar electric and the third is becoming a space-faring civilization,'' says Musk, investor in SolarCity.

Stanford Alumni Magazine discusses how venture capitalists are looking to invest more in eco-friendly companies, and highlights SolarCity as one of Draper Fisher Jurvetson’s first investments.

In a joint interview with SolarCity’s CEO, Lyndon Rive, and Collin O’Mara from Mayor Chuck Reed’s office KTVU’s “Bay Area People” program highlights SolarCity as the first company to extend a $0-down solar option to Bay Area residents. Play clip from website.

These are exciting times for homeowners who want to install solar panels. Columnist Bill Paul features SolarCity’s SolarLease as having advantages over other options for going solar.

"Flex Your Power" highlights SolarCity's SolarLease, a 15-year solar-leasing contract offered to customers requiring no down payment, taking the initial upfront payment from its customary fee of about $2,000 to $0.

Earth-friendly ways to spend your economic-stimulus money

The American Prospect highlights SolarCity’s Rodney Lee and the growth of green collar jobs.

“We can essentially make it so that everybody can now afford clean power,” Rive said.

Go solar without a big upfront expense through Solar City's SolarLease program. At $90 a month for a typical home, $1,200 pays for a year or more of green energy — and you are likely to get that all back in the form of lower utility bills.

New customer financing eliminates high-cost barriers to solar installations

Green Start-Up Companies: SolarCity

Solar installer SolarCity is doing, in a limited way, what many people contend is the key to wide-scale adoption of solar power: a leasing program.

SolarCity was recognized for corporate energy generation.

SolarCity awarded by Aspen Institute for corporate energy generation.

Long Beach community program successfully concludes.

SolarCity announced that it has met the goals to date for its community solar program across the state of California. In the 16 months since the program's inception, the program has provided 2.7 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy to homeowners across the state.

It's been a year since homeowners organized Mountain View's first-ever group purchase of solar power arrays, and now residents say they are back for a second run.

SolarCity's successful growth and development.

SAN FRANCISCO — The sun is starting to grow jobs. While interest in alternative energy is climbing across the United States, solar power especially is rising in California, the product of billions of dollars in investment and mountains of enthusiasm.

Long Beach community solar discount program.

Foster City third-graders convince city to lower solar permitting fees.

In 2006, the South African-born entrepreneur plowed $10 million into Lyndon and Peter Rive's Foster City solar installation startup, SolarCity, of which he is also chairman.

The technology and digital entertainment worlds will be cleaner, brighter and more chatty in 2008.

Following Portola Valley's lead in 2006, large groups of residents in Woodside, San Carlos, Menlo Park and Atherton saved money

Mountain View tops large Bay Area cities in watts per capita.

36 homes in one neighborhood in Clovis are switching to solar power with SolarCity.

SolarCity wants to wean the South Bay off traditional power sources, one neighborhood at a time.

SolarCity’s concept is quite inventive. The roof is a complete car port, which acts a power station for your EV, turning it into a high-tech, self-sustaining green wonder.

Electric sports cars. Solar power. Space travel. Finally, an entrepreneur who's not afraid to think really, really big.

We have seen the solar programs serve as a source of community pride for residents and a bonding agent between neighbors. When you make a big decision like going solar as a group, it also tends to remind residents of the larger impact of their decision on the environment and the fight against global warming.

SolarCity plans to announce its own community-purchase plan for Marin County.

Proposed plan in San Francisco that allows residents to take out a loan for the installation of solar panels, but the energy saved from their electricity bills would go toward paying off the loan.

Homeowners join together to seek group price power.

SolarCity expands their offerings to include remote monitoring of customers' solar production.

Hottest private companies in greentech, the game-changing players that are making it possible and profitable for big businesses to go green.

SolarCity & Malibu residents discuss financial and environmental benefits of solar power.

Council votes in support of hiring coordinator to oversee climate change initiatives.

Neighbors are banding together to purchase solar panels for their roofs, taking advantage of group discounts.

Los Altos and Los Altos Hills residents will have an opportunity to purchase solar panels at a discount through SolarCity, a Foster City-based company that offered significant price breaks to the earlier cities' residents who bought in bulk.

A Bay Area solar-energy company wants to recruit at least 40 Rocklin homeowners to collectively buy and install rooftop solar-power systems.

As solar energy grows in popularity, it sparks concerns about firefighter safety.

77 Essential Skill to Stop CLimate Change--or Live Through It.

Red-hot sales blitzes are heating up Foster City-based solar power installer SolarCity Corp., pushing it into a larger headquarters and new territories.

SolarCity has a plan for Santa Monica. Known as the Community Purchase Plan, it has been tried successfully in several Northern California cities.

Solar installer SolarCity on Monday is expected to announce a system that lets businesses and home owners get a real-time readout of their solar panels from a Web portal.

Building a one-stop national brand for all your clean power needs.

While the strong support from homeowners to purchase solar energy systems has made the headlines recently, there is also a program for businesses that will end May 31.

SolarCity is rapidly expanding solar-installation in Santa Rosa.

John Sasaki Reports On Locals Embracing Alternative Fuels In Face Of Rising Gas Prices.

Dozens of residents sign up for discount solar panel program.

SolarCity joins PG&E in their solar schools program.

SolarCity joins PG&E to nearly triple the number of solar-powered schools in California.

Solar panels are now so efficient that fog no longer mandates remaining on the grid.

PriceWaterhouseCoopers Start-up Talk Show

Silicon Valley entrepreneurs strive to make solar power a viable energy source.

Local leads effort to hatch a deal with solar supply company.

... SolarCity Completes Commercial Solar Power Installation for SpaceX FOSTER CITY, Calif., Jan. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- SolarCity, ...

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/01/06/HOGVMNCB361.DTL&hw=solarcity&sn=001&sc=1000

Valley's Ranch neighborhood had the idea to install solar panels on their homes together for a discounted rate. They were hoping to interest five.

SolarCity was launched with $10 million in financing led by Chairman Elon Musk, the founder of PayPal Inc. and an investor in the electric-car company Tesla Motors Inc.

... be there, as will representatives from Foster City-based SolarCity, the vendor chosen by a committee of residents for this project. SolarCity needs to...