Are Solar Panels Right For Your Home? Google Maps For Solar Suitability

Oct 21 - The Hartford Courant

Ever wondered whether solar panels would work on your house?

Or, if you have a strong sense that they would, how do you sort through all the different installers and types of financing available?

The Clean Energy Finance & Investment Authority, a quasi-public renewable power agency, has launched a website for the "solar curious" in Connecticut.

At gosolarct.com, after plugging in your home address, a heat map of solar potential pops on the screen, followed by a more detailed webpage where you can look at the numbers, calculate savings based on current electric bills, and request quotes from solar companies offering loans, leases or power purchase agreements for the solar panels they will have installed on your house.

State Rep. Lonnie Reed, co-chair of the legislature's energy and technology committee said in a written statement that the website will be a "terrific tool to support the competitive growth of local installers as well as enhance awareness and opportunities for homeowners looking to take advantage of solar energy."

The website is powered by a company called Geostellar, which for years has sliced solar energy data to make the process simpler and more successful for residents.

"We are confident that the GoSolarCT initiative will enable 'solar-curious' residents across the state to learn how to access cleaner and cheaper solar energy with a variety of affordable financing options," Kerry O'Neill, head of residential programs for CEFIA, said in a written statement.

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