CollectiveSun and EnergySage Unlock Solar for Nonprofits

SAN DIEGO and BOSTON, Jan. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- CollectiveSun, the only company dedicated exclusively to helping nonprofits and tax exempt organizations fund solar projects, today announced it has teamed up with EnergySage, the nation's leading online comparison-shopping marketplace for solar. This collaboration creates a powerful new solution that allows all nonprofits and tax exempt entities to seamlessly navigate the solar purchasing and financing process.

The CollectiveSun-EnergySage partnership removes the hurdles that nonprofits and tax exempt organizations have historically faced in both financing their solar panel installations and in locating high quality, pre-screened solar installers. Now, any nonprofit or tax exempt organization, whose solar system is 50kW or larger, will be able to take advantage of solar energy with ease.

The collaboration pairs the strengths of two leading innovators in the solar industry. CollectiveSun has revolutionized funding for nonprofits and tax exempt organizations by providing a Solar Power Agreement (SPA). This proprietary financing method allows the company to utilize solar tax benefits that would otherwise be lost. CollectiveSun passes the savings onto the nonprofit in the form of a 15 percent reduction in the cost of a new solar panel system. The company also offers assistance and a variety of methods to help provide the upfront capital for its Solar Power Agreement, including a proprietary CrowdLending campaign.

This innovative financing model will now be available to nonprofits and tax exempt organizations that register on EnergySage. Backed by the U.S. Department of Energy, EnergySage is the country's largest online comparison-shopping marketplace for solar, and matches thousands of nonprofits with its network of over 500 vetted solar companies each year. As validated by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), EnergySage's impartial information and competitive bidding platform helps solar shoppers make more informed decisions and save up to 20 percent on their solar installation costs.

"CollectiveSun is always looking for ways to deploy more solar," said Todd Bluechel, VP of Marketing and Sales for CollectiveSun. "The CollectiveSun-EnergySage partnership was formed to help broaden and strengthen both companies' ability to deploy more solar. Even though this partnership is a win-win for both, it's particularly beneficial for the 1.5 million nonprofits nationwide who have been seeking ways to afford solar."

"Installing solar panels is a great way for tax exempt organizations to reduce operating costs and simultaneously benefit the environment," said Aaron James, VP of Network Partnerships at EnergySage. "Whether you run a school, food bank, church, or other mission-based organization, the EnergySage-CollectiveSun partnership offers a new way to make an even larger impact by switching to clean, renewable energy. We're up and running and actively accepting new registrations."

To get started, nonprofits and tax exempt organizations are encouraged to visit www.collectivesun.com/installerbids. Organizations interested in offering a similar solution to their communities should contact Aaron James at [email protected] for more information.

ABOUT COLLECTIVESUN
CollectiveSun is proud to be the only company in America that exclusively helps nonprofits and tax exempt organizations fund solar projects nationwide. CollectiveSun was founded in 2011 on the principle all nonprofits and tax exempt organizations should have access to clean, renewable energy. Our team of experts understand the financing challenges nonprofits and tax exempt organizations face better than anyone else. Our proprietary funding models were designed to minimize your nonprofit and tax exempt organization's time and effort while guaranteeing the least expensive funding options available. IRS rules unfairly dictate nonprofits and tax exempt organizations are excluded from utilizing tax benefits because of their tax exempt status. However, CollectiveSun's innovative financing model applies tax credits that reduce the cost of your nonprofit or tax exempt organization's solar project by 15%! CollectiveSun can reduce ANY solar installer's bid by 15% on projects 50 kW or greater. CollectiveSun can help finance solar projects for ANY nonprofit or tax exempt organization nationwide. CollectiveSun will ALWAYS offer nonprofits the least expensive funding options.

ABOUT ENERGYSAGE, INC.
EnergySage is the leading online comparison-shopping marketplace for rooftop solar, community solar, and financing. Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, EnergySage is the trusted source of information for over 4 million consumers across 35+ states. The company has sent over $3 billion in solar installation requests to its network of more than 500 pre-screened solar installation companies, and serves as a high-quality lead source for solar financing companies and powerful distribution channel for solar equipment manufacturers. EnergySage is unique in that it allows consumers to request and compare competing quotes online, unlike traditional lead-generation websites. For this reason, leading organizations like Environment America, Connecticut Green Bank, Duke University, National Grid, and Staples refer their audiences to EnergySage to empower them as they consider solar. The EnergySage formula of unbiased information, transparency and choice helps consumers go solar with confidence – at a higher rate of adoption, and lower cost. For more information, please visit EnergySage and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

SOURCE EnergySage, Inc.