SolarCity is adding 20 centers nationwide including a location in Newark.
The 20 centers will open in Arizona, California Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada and New York as well as Delaware City.
Northern California-based Solar City already has a Delaware site in Seaford.
The new locations will cut operations costs by decreasing service and installation drive times, and will create new jobs in a range of disciplines. SolarCity expects to open in tube Newark area by the end of the year. The Seaford site started out with 10 employees.
Solar City’s first project in Delaware was the installation of a solar array in Delaware City in New Castle County.
The company, whose principals include Elon Musk, CEO of electric car maker, Tesla, allows homeowners to lease solar systems for their homes. That eliminates expensive purchase and installation costs. Company literature says the systems can save $70 a month in electricity costs for homeowners.
Delaware has emerged as a hot spot for solar installations, due to alternative energy mandates and multiple projects by businesses and government. By one measurement, the state ranks seventh in per capita solar use, a figure that has drawn national attention.
The growth has been aided by a rapid decline in the price of solar cells.
The University of Delaware is a research center for solar power. A UD professor founded AstroPower, a solar industry pioneer. General Electric and Motech later acquired assets of AstroPower. Motech, a solar cell maker baed in Taiwan, has its American headquarters and manufacturing site in New Castle County.
The University of Delaware is also involved in vehicle-to-grid technology that stores electricity in hybrid and battery-powered vehicles. It is possible that technology could be used to store solar power, which is generated during the daylight hours.
Solar City has ambitions that go beyond installing solar systems,.
The company plans to buy Silevo, a solar panel technology and manufacturing company whose modules have demonstrated a unique combination of high energy output and low cost, according to a blog post from Musk.
The companies are looking at a manufacturing plant in New York state as well as other plants and Solar City has not ruled out making other acquisitions of solar panel makers. Musk’s Tesla has plans to build a massive battery plant in the U.S. in a move to lower the cost of he expensive component in electric cars.
Homeowners and businesses interested in SolarCity’s services can contact the company directly at 1-888-SOL-CITY (1-888-765-2489) or visit SolarCity online at www.solarcity.com/request. Candidates interested in available employment opportunities can apply online at www.solarcity.com/jobs.
