Bank finances homeowner solar program (Phoenix, AZ)

[jpak]

http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/2010/05/07/20100507biz-phx-solar0508.html

The new participants in the Solar Phoenix program in the northeastern part of town don't have much in common - different family situations, different jobs, different homes.

What they do have in common is a commitment to the environment.

Rob Speers, who lives near Glendale Avenue and 12th Street, has double-pane windows and trees shading the bedrooms. Sharon Landis, who lives near 32nd Street and Shea Boulevard, drives a Prius. Jesse Cuilty, whose home is near Thunderbird Road and Seventh Street, maintains a bird sanctuary in her yard.

All of them recently enrolled in the Solar Phoenix program.

Under the program, participants lease solar-power units from National Bank of Arizona, which put up $25 million for the program. SolarCity, a solar-power company, does all the work, and the bank gets rebates from Arizona Public Service and Salt River Project. The city put together the pieces to make everything work.

<more>