Upsolar today unveiled its new Pass Locasolaire program that enables homeowners across France to earn additional income by leasing the space on their rooftops for solar electric systems.
Qualifying property owners can earn revenue for up to 20 years by simply hosting an Upsolar-powered rooftop PV installation. Each systemranging in size from 6 to 9 kWpis owned and operated by Upsolar, and will feed clean power into the local grid.
During the first year of operation, Upsolar will offer participating homeowners up to 500 for rooftop rental. Each year thereafter, participants will receive a payment equal to 15 percent of the generated powers value. Alternatively, participants will have the option to purchase their systems after one year of operation.
While rooftop lease programs have been a key part of growing the residential solar market in other regions, this model has been slower to catch on in France. Drawing on its experience developing high-quality modules and the relationships it has built with top installers in France, Upsolar is the first module manufacturer to offer French homeowners this alternative financing model.
"Our rooftop leasing program allows homeowners the unique opportunity to monetize an otherwise unusable area of their buildings. Essentially, we are rewarding participants for doing nothing while boosting Frances share of renewable energy" said Sébastien Prioux, Project Development Director with Upsolar. "Consumers in France are already growing accustomed to sharing resources everything from cars to Playstations to save money and live sustainably, and Pass Locasolaire is the logical next step."
