Sungevity cuts costs, red tape

Danny Kennedy, current president and CXO (as he refers to himself) of Sungevity and the former manager of Greenpeace Australia and Pacific, says he left Greenpeace to become more directly involved in driving solutions. After years of advocating policies to support solar, including spearheading the California Clean Energy Campaign in 2001, Kennedy is helping bring solar to the masses.

Joined by Alec Guettel, a serial U.S. entrepreneur, and Andrew Birch, a former banker and BP Solar exec, Kennedy formed Sungevity in 2007. The Berkeley, Calif.-based company uses satellite imagery and proprietary software to offer solar installations at significant cost- and hassle- savings to residential customers.

Ordinarily, obtaining quotes for a solar system for one’s home can take at least three weeks. Technicians make multiple house visits and most solar system installers offer only whole-roof systems that follow the shape of the roof. The paperwork necessary to receive tax credits and rebates can add days, if not weeks, creating more hassles for customers.

Sungevity’s online system aims to streamline the process. Homeowners go to the Sungevity Web site and enter their home address. Sungevity pulls up satellite images of the neighborhood and pinpoints the customer’s house. Then the homeowner provides details about their total electricity usage for the previous month.

Once the initial work is done, the company’s real technology goes into action, using satellite data to suggest five different system options to choose from, including an estimated rate of return on investment. Homeowners select their preferred system, and Sungevity takes care of all the paperwork and permits.

The quote-to-installation process has been as short as four weeks for some customers, compared with the industry average of three months, according to Kennedy. Currently available only in the Bay Area, the company plans to expand to all 50 states in 2009, with big plans for eventual worldwide commercialization.