Generaytor, an online solar marketplace, announced the availability of Virtual Solar app, the first “try before you buy” solar shopping experience for its users in the U.S and worldwide.
Virtual Solar app was initially launched at IKEA stores in the U.K. Now it’s available for free for users across the world.
Millions of families are already producing their own clean energy from the sun. But because people tend to avoid long-term, unfamiliar decisions, word of the exceptional returns solar can provide often falls on deaf ears. As a result, the majority of suitable rooftops are left baking in the sun instead of saving money for their owners.
With Virtual Solar, users get a live simulation of their savings, powered by actual data from solar systems of nearby community members. It’s “try before you buy” for solar. Generaytor empowers people to make informed decisions by combining clear savings forecasts with shared experience from solar homeowners.
“We’re excited to see our community inspiring people to help the environment while slashing their electric bills,” said Generaytor CEO and co-founder, Amit Rosner. “Virtual Solar lets people see for themselves how much they could save and come to a decision at their own pace.”
Energy and financial experts are predicting continued rapid growth for solar in the US, but some homeowners are skeptical. They gain confidence from their Virtual Solar roof, which shows exactly where the money comes from, even on a daily basis, the company said.
Beyond financial simulations, Generaytor provides a social experience. Some users become more familiar with solar through fun-spirited competition – Generaytor enables people to compare their virtual production with friends or see how it stacks up against an actual solar home nearby. Others take pride in their performance by sharing solar achievements in the community or on Facebook.
The community can also guide people to installers who have a track record of happy customers and the performance data to back it up. Solar installations are available for cash purchase, through a loan, or in many states through a $0 down lease.