See how much money solar energy systems could save you with EnergySage’s new tool

By Lulu Chang Published October 31, 2016

Diyana Dimitrova/123RF

Sure, installing a solar energy system may make you feel better about going green, but is it really helping you save any green in your pocket? Now you can find out. It’s all thanks to a new tool from EnergySage, whose interactive quote map lets you determine how much your neighbors are paying for their solar energy systems, and how much they’re saving as a result. So in this case, coveting something of your neighbor’s may not be the worst thing in the world.

The Boston-based company is “on a mission to make going solar as easy as booking a flight online.” By matching the “millions of Americans shopping for solar” with the “thousands of solar providers looking for well-qualified customers,” the startup hopes to create a simple solution that makes the process of buying and selling solar energy easier than ever.

All the information you see on EnergySage’s site seeks to help you understand various system costs, and is derived from actual estimates requested through the company. After you enter your zip code into the handy tool, you’ll be greeted with information on quotes, 20-year savings, and financing options. A Case Study browser even lets you peruse projects from across the country, seeing what others have paid — and what they’re saving annually.

And the environmentally minded startup isn’t the only one promoting the use of solar panels by way of data. For example, Google’s new Project Sunroof project estimates how many hours of sunlight (or solar power) come in contact with your rooftop every single year, and by extension, how much energy you’re missing out on by not having a solar system installed.

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So if you’re looking for a way to fully understand how solar panels could help you and your household, you might just want to check out EnergySage and its promise of “unprecedented levels of choice, transparency, and information at no cost to consumers.”

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