While the current mix of federal and state incentives has substantially reduced the cost of an off-grid residential PV system, it still requires a substantial up-front investment to purchase the equipment and installation. This up-front investment remains a barrier for many homeowners of modest means.

In 2009 the New Mexico passed groundbreaking legislation to allow cities, counties, and Special Improvement Districts to offer homeowner loans for energy efficiency and renewable energy systems. State laws were modified to allow voluntary opt-in homeowner participation. Loan repayments are handled through existing property tax assessments on the property where the system is installed. Because ownership of the system is tied to the property, rather than to the homeowner as a loan, title to the PV system stays with the home if it is sold. Please contact us for further information about this remarkable legislation as it becomes available around New Mexico.

Further information on financing renewable energy is available here. This 2004 Home Power article, coauthored by Positive Energy founder Allan Sindelar, addresses many of the issues related to obtaining financing for renewable energy in general.