The car business is famous for incentives. Now Honda, one of the first and most innovative EV makers , is teaming up with SolarCity (NASDAQ: SCTY) on a unique incentive to bring low- or no-cost solar to its customers.
Honda and Acura dealers will now offer their customers home solar systems at little to no up front cost. The company will offer financing through a $65 million fund it’s set up to get people started. Potential customers get solar for their home without having to fund the up-front startup costs, and are locked into a monthly spend that would be less than their current utility bills. SolarCity benefits by gaining access to Honda’s rich current and former customer data, which includes a better than fair amount of environmentally-conscious drivers.
It’s an idea with legs; last week’s announcement of the partnership drew wide acclaim by media, bloggers and environmental groups across the country. A sampling of the media follows.
What about you — would you be surprised to be offered a solar system for your home if you were car shopping? Would the offer make you want to learn more?
The New York Times, Home Solar Systems to Be an Option for Honda Customers
The Wall Street Journal, Honda, SolarCity Arrange $65 Million Fund For Home Solar-Panel Systems
*Also covered by Fox Business
ABC News, Honda Gives Free Solar Installations
CBS MoneyWatch, Honda, SolarCity raise $65 mln for dealership, home solar systems
Grist, Honda partners with SolarCity to subsidize solar panels for customers
Reuters, Honda, SolarCity raise $65 mln for dealership, home solar systems
*Also covered by CNBC, CBS News Marketwatch
Bloomberg, SolarCity, Honda Establish $65 Million Project Investment Fund
*Also covered in Businessweek
The San Jose Mercury News, Honda and Acura owners qualify for $400 discount on SolarCity solar systems
*Also covered in Daily Democrat
The San Francisco Business Times, Honda, SolarCity team up to offer solar to drivers
Forbes, Honda, SolarCity Sign $65 Million Deal To Help Drivers Go Solar
NPR’s Car Talk, Honda and SolarCity Offer Cut-Rate Electricity From the Sun–for Car Customers Only
UPI.com, Honda partners with SolarCity, home solar for Honda owners
Investor’s Business Daily, An Eclipsed Solar Energy Industry Sees Daylight Ahead
NBCNews.com, Honda goes solar with $65 million investment
HispanicBusiness.com, Honda, SolarCity to Offer Solar Power Systems
newjerseynewsroom.com, Honda and SolarCity Team Up To Endorse Solar Energy
Energy Tribune, Home Solar Systems to Be an Option for Honda Customers
The Daily Voice Elmsford’s SolarCity Offers Deal To Honda Drivers
Think Progress, Honda And SolarCity Partner On Low-Cost Home Solar Power Leases
Recharge, SolarCity joins Honda for US drive
Seeking Alpha, SolarCity Partnership With Honda A Game Changer
The Baltimore Sun, Honda offers driver help going solar – at home
Silicon Valley Business Journal, SolarCity launches solar investment fund with Honda and Acura
MIT Technology Review, Care for Home Solar Panels with Your Honda?
Media Post, Marketing Makes Strange Bedfellows
Detroit Free Business, Honda, SolarCity to offer solar power systems to customers
Hartford Business, SolarCity, Honda provide $65M for CT solar
Recharge News, SolarCity joins Honda for US drive
Solar Industry Magazine, SolarCity Enters Partnership With Honda
PV-Magazine, SolarCity teams up with Honda for US customers
PV-Tech, SolarCity and Honda partner to provide solar power
Morningstar, Honda, SolarCity raise $65 mln for dealership, home solar systems
Honda Owners Club, Honda, Solarcity Raise $65 Mln For Dealership, Home Solar Systems
BusinessGreen, Honda and SolarCity to drive rooftop solar with $65m fund
Greentech Media, Solar Finance Innovations from SolarCity and Honda…