Our Process

Our Model

OC Goes Solar’s model addresses three common barriers to adopting solar energy: cost, complexity, and individual homeowner inertia.

Contractors are pre-selected through a competitive bidding process. Pre-negotiated group discounts, complex technical choices are simplified, and community workshops are organized to provide actionable information to empower program participants. 

Selecting Contractors

We prepare a Request for Proposals (RFP) every year to send to local contractors. A committee of neighbors and subject matter-expert volunteers evaluate submitted proposals and pre-select contractors using a scoring guide that includes company profile, financial stability, hiring practices, years in business, customer reviews, and the capacity to serve our community. 

Ensuring Group Discount Pricing

Our community program addresses the high upfront cost of residential solar by creating a win-win situation for homeowners and contractors. Because our homeowners are highly motivated to go solar, our program contractors save on marketing and customer acquisition costs. As a result, they can pass on the savings to our participating homeowners. The more homeowners participate, the more power we have to negotiate a significant group discount and secure solar warranties above industry standards.

Educating Homeowners

We bring selected contractors and neighbors together for an informal workshop in a community center or via Zoom. Here homeowners are introduced to rooftop solar technology and are educated on equipment choices, overall cost, tax rebates, warranties, installation, and how to participate in our program. All questions are welcomed, and all participants go forward with a better understanding of how to go solar.

Empowering Communities

We encourage feedback during and after installations and stay connected with participants to empower them while they go solar. The contracts are set up between individual homeowners and the contractors. Still, our group is invested in every homeowner to ensure an experience that benefits & utilizes the power of their community.