SEIA Launches Consumer Education Campaign

• US Solar Industries Association SEIA has launched new tools for residential solar transactions
• With the help of these tools, consumers will be able to understand and protect their interests, says SEIA
• Solar consumers can ask the right questions from solar companies, compare offers from competing companies, and also know their solar system
• SEIA is sending these resources to a number of organizations both at federal and state level, along with other stakeholders in all 50 states

America's national trade association for solar energy, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has launched a consumer education campaign nationally. The idea is to inform and protect solar consumers, while simplifying the process of going solar.

It has released a suite of what it calls 'powerful new tools' for residential solar transactions. These include

SEIA Solar Purchase Agreement Disclosure
Solar Purchase Agreement Addendum: Estimated Cost per kWh
SEIA Solar Lease Disclosure, and
SEIA Solar Power Purchase Agreement Disclosure

All these forms can be downloaded from the SEIA website .

As per SEIA, these tools will help consumers better understand the fundamentals of solar, ask the right questions of solar companies, compare among competing solar company offers and also know what to expect from their solar systems over the years.

Along with a media campaign to spread the word, SEIA is also sending these resources to governors, general attorneys, state consumer advocates, public utility commissions, solar companies, financial institutions, lead generators, federal agencies and other allied organizations across all 50 states.

"We've been developing top-of-the-line resources for years – now it's about spreading the word and getting these resources into the hands of people who need it," said SEIA's President and CEO Abigail Ross Hopper. Adding, "Solar is still a new power choice for millions of Americans, and it's critical that we cultivate a well-informed customer base. And by doing their homework and making use of these tools, consumers and stakeholders alike will feel confident and comfortable in the decision to go solar."

In July 2016, SEIA had launched a community solar checklist (see SEIA Residential Consumer Guide To Community Solar).

The agency plans to release more and improved tools to help an estimated 3 million households to choose solar by 2021.

"Using these resources benefits everyone – consumers, solar companies and financial institutions. We feel strongly that solar companies across America, large and small, should be using these tools today," said Nick Mack, general counsel of Spruce Finance and co-chair of the SEIA Consumer Protection Committee.