| While America may not be the leading producer of | | | | based in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. San |
| solar energy in the world, we definitely boast some | | | | Francisco is only 4.5 hours away from most of these |
| pretty friendly cities that love solar panels. So if you're | | | | companies, so you can definitely shop around in |
| looking for a new place to homestead and you want | | | | California for the best deal. |
| to invest in solar technology, consider some of these | | | | - Albuquerque, New Mexico: With the new Energy Act |
| great cities to live: | | | | and the state incentives that New Mexico offers to |
| - Austin, Texas: While Texas itself may not seem like | | | | residents, up to $18,000 of your solar panel system |
| the most environmentally-friendly state, they boast one | | | | can be paid for as a rebate (no loans, no re-payment) |
| of the friendliest cities in America. In Austin, Texas, local | | | | in New Mexico. |
| rebate programs and energy deals with the local utility | | | | Furthermore, New Mexico has a law that makes their |
| company can pay for 60% of your new solar panels | | | | local utility companies pay their customers for the |
| upfront. These incentive programs have led to more | | | | energy they produce. PNM (the utility company in New |
| people buying solar than anywhere else in the U.S. | | | | Mexico) actually pays about .13 cents per kWh |
| There's also a boom of solar energy companies in | | | | produced, and charges their customers only .09 kWh |
| Austin. With so many companies to choose from, you | | | | used! If you produce more than what you spend in |
| can truly "shop around" for the best deal. Competition | | | | electricity, then by law the utility company pays you a |
| breeds affordability when it comes to solar power. | | | | check. |
| Also, Austin is the perfect environment for solar panels. | | | | It's easy to find a great solar energy provider in New |
| It's sunny almost 300 days out of every year in Austin! | | | | Mexico with their New Mexico Solar Energy |
| - San Francisco, California: California has long been | | | | Association. This group actually allows you to view a |
| known for its environmental consciousness. San | | | | solar installation and works much like the BBB of solar |
| Francisco currently only has around 900 rooftops | | | | power. |
| planted with solar panels. The mayor of San Francisco | | | | These are the friendliest solar cities we could find in |
| came out January 7, 2009 and said he wanted to see | | | | America for affordability, rebates, and future solar |
| 10,000 solar rooftops by 2012. In order to complete | | | | technology. Keep in mind, many states provide |
| their lofty goal, the city is introducing new rebate | | | | substantial rebates to home owners who are using the |
| programs and tools residents can use to plan their | | | | power of the sun. On top of rebate incentives, you |
| power system. | | | | should carefully weigh how many local companies can |
| One of these tools is the "Solar Map". This nifty online | | | | provide panels and installations. More companies mean |
| tool allows San Franciscans to view how much sunlight | | | | more savings to you as a consumer. Also, keep in |
| their home can harvest. The Solar Map uses Google | | | | mind where your city wants to go with its energy |
| Earth vectoring to determine solar potency for the | | | | programs. If your city wants to continue expansion of |
| different city buildings and homes. | | | | solar energy, then you'll see even more benefits down |
| In California there's definitely no shortage of great solar | | | | the road. |
| power companies. Many of these companies are | | | | |