Maybe it’s because solar energy is his business, emails from Duane Peterson often close with “Have a sunny day” or “Hoping the sun is shining on you.” These little homilies show that Peterson is not only a preternaturally cheerful person, but that the former environmental activist’s first foray into business — the uncommon SunCommon — appears to be booming.
When it comes to residential solar, everybody knows the problem: solar energy is sexy right now, yes, but it is also expensive, confusing and time-consuming. What rebates are available? Are there tax credits? What permits are needed? Can your roof support solar panels? Or should they be on the ground? What kinds of solar panels? Where should they come from? Who will install them? Who will service them? And the big one: residential solar can cost upward of $20,000 a home, so how will you ever pay for all of this?
Peterson and his business partner James Moore understand these problems.
“We’re a Vermont-based benefit company who believe folks have a right to a healthy planet,” Peterson said. “We can make solar available for no up-front cost and a monthly payment that is actually less than what you pay your utilities. So with us you actually save money by doing the right thing.”