Bright Ideas: How Solar and Energy Efficiency Go Hand in Hand

Going solar is a critical step in combating climate change and building a sustainable future. At PosiGen, we are proud to offer an innovative solar leasing program that combines solar power with energy efficiency upgrades, helping homeowners save money*, reduce environmental impact, and achieve energy independence. By leveraging solar energy and efficiency together, we provide a comprehensive solution that maximizes benefits for our customers and the planet.

* Savings vary depending on your energy consumption, home location and characteristics, and your utility’s policies.

Solar Energy: A Powerful Tool for Savings and Sustainability

Solar energy harnesses sunlight through photovoltaic (PV) panels to generate clean electricity. Over the past decade, solar technology has become more efficient and affordable. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the cost of residential solar systems decreased by 55% between 2010 and 2018, making solar an increasingly accessible option for homeowners. 3 Additionally, homes with solar installations often sell for a premium—on average $15,000 more than comparable homes without PV systems. 9

Solar power also delivers significant environmental benefits. Each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of solar electricity generated reduces greenhouse gas emissions like CO₂, as well as harmful pollutants such as sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides. 9 Achieving high levels of solar deployment could reduce cumulative U.S. power-sector emissions by 10% between 2015 and 2050, resulting in $238–$252 billion in savings from avoided health and environmental damages. 1

The Role of Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency focuses on reducing wasted energy through measures such as:

• Air sealing and duct sealing
• Improved insulation
• LED lighting
• Smart thermostats
• Energy Star-certified appliances

These upgrades lower energy consumption, reduce utility bills, and enhance home comfort. Importantly, they also reduce the size of the solar system needed to meet a home’s energy demands, further lowering costs. 9 At PosiGen, we include energy efficiency upgrades in every solar lease at no additional cost, ensuring that our customers maximize their savings.

Our 5 Simple Upgrades To Make Your Home Energy Efficient and Why LED Lights Are a Bright Idea for Your Wallet, Health, and the Planet blogs are great additional resources.

Why Solar and Energy Efficiency Work Better Together

When paired, solar power and energy efficiency create a powerful synergy:

1. Lower Costs: Reducing energy consumption through efficiency upgrades allows homeowners to install smaller—and less expensive—solar systems.
2. Maximized Solar Output: Energy-efficient homes require less electricity overall, enabling solar panels to meet a larger percentage of their energy needs.
3. Environmental Benefits: Together, these strategies significantly reduce carbon emissions—solar by generating clean electricity and efficiency by minimizing wasteful energy use. 9
4. Energy Independence: Combining these measures reduces reliance on grid electricity. In some areas, excess solar power can even be sold back to the grid for additional savings. 9

The PosiGen Advantage: Accessibility and Affordability

At PosiGen, we believe clean energy should be accessible to everyone—not just those with high credit scores or large budgets. That’s why our solar leasing program is designed to eliminate barriers:

• No Upfront Costs: Start saving immediately without significant initial investment.
• Inclusive Eligibility: We focus on homeownership and utility usage history rather than credit scores.
• Maintenance Included: We handle system operation, monitoring, and repairs throughout the lease term.
• Guaranteed Performance: Our systems are guaranteed* to produce at least 90% of their estimated annual output.

What sets us apart is our integration of free energy efficiency upgrades with every solar lease. These improvements—such as air sealing, duct sealing, LED lighting installation, and more—help homeowners achieve up to 30% annual energy cost savings while enjoying a more comfortable living environment.

* Beginning 12 months after the date your system is operational, and upon each anniversary thereafter, for each 12-month period, PosiGen guarantees that your system will generate at least 90% of the annual estimated production for that 12-month period, after accounting for degradation at the rate of 0.5% per year. If your system does not produce the guaranteed amount for any 12-month period, PosiGen will provide a bill credit representing the difference between your system's actual production and the guaranteed production for that 12-month period. “Actual performance” means the amount of electricity produced by your particular system, which is calculated using data provided by the system or an estimate prepared by PosiGen.

Practical Steps for Maximizing Benefits

To fully leverage the advantages of combining solar power with energy efficiency:

1. Conduct an Energy Audit: Identify inefficiencies in your home’s insulation or appliances before installing a solar system.
2. Upgrade Appliances: Replace outdated appliances with Energy Star-certified models for greater efficiency.
3. Optimize Solar Panel Placement: Ensure panels are installed at angles that capture maximum sunlight year-round.
4. Adopt Smart Technology: Use smart thermostats to optimize energy use during peak sunlight hours.

Read our Loving your solar array? Consider these other energy savings options blog to learn more.

A Sustainable Future with PosiGen

The combination of solar power and energy efficiency isn’t just about saving money—it’s about creating a sustainable future for generations to come. By reducing overall energy consumption through efficiency measures and meeting remaining needs with clean solar electricity, homeowners can enjoy immediate financial benefits while making a meaningful impact on the environment.

At PosiGen, we’re committed to making this future accessible for all families through our affordable leasing program. Ready to take the first step? Contact us today to learn how we can help you save money* while contributing to a cleaner planet.

Want to learn more? Check out our Energy Efficiency Myths Debunked: Separating Fact from Fiction blog and visit our Energy Efficiency Audit page.

* Individual savings will vary based on your utility rate, energy consumption habits, solar system equipment installed on your property, tax incentives eligibility, weather, and other factors. Individual savings estimates are based on your solar energy production, your solar kWh rate, potential tax incentives, your utility kWh rate at the time of purchase and projected increase in the utility rate (based on historical data and national averages). Estimates do not take into consideration other changes in utility rates. Such changes could affect your overall estimated savings. PosiGen does not guarantee savings.