Analysts say technology and finance trends will drive residential solar.

A Goldman Sachs investment report draws from clean energy technology analysts to predict disruptive trends for utilities and energy savings for consumers.

• First, Tesla’s giant manufacturing facility will soon begin pumping out lithium ion batteries to be used in both Tesla vehicles and renewable energy storage units. The cost of said batteries should drop to $125/KWh by 2020, from a current price of more than $200/KWh, and dropping 3% each year thereafter.  This represents a potentially a disruptive technology for utilities.
• The cost of solar panels continues to fall. Goldman says we can expect an average reduction of 3% annually here as well.

Though nothing is imminent, Goldman Sachs analysts lay out three reasons why the utility market is heading in the direction of  "grid defection" (people leaving the grid).

“Ultimately the holy grail of solar is to move to a situation where the customer is no longer tied to the grid at all. This may be far off, aside from entailing a much more expensive solar/battery system, this is also potentially out of people’s comfort zone entailing a 100% reliance on a new system for their electricity needs. That said, decreased reliability from an aging distribution infrastructure, a broadening desire to reduce the carbon footprint, and perhaps most importantly, the reduction of solar panel and battery costs could also work together to make grid independence a reality for many customers one day.”

Read more:   http://www.businessinsider.com/goldman-on-solar-and-elon-musk-2014-3

A Green Tech column in Forbes cites solar leases which make it possible for homeowners to pay little or no money down to have a set of solar panels installed on their roofs. Instead of forking over, say, $20,000 to install and own the equipment, they pay a fee each month for using the electricity produced from the panels. Homeowners typically sign a long-term contract of 15 to 20 years with the companies that pay for solar equipment and labor and make sure the solar panels work properly during the lifetime of the contract.

Read more:  http://www.forbes.com/sites/uciliawang/2013/02/11/solar-leases-will-propel-solar-home-growth-to-5-7b/

Tips for Saving on Homeowners and Renters Insurance

Whether you own or rent your home, insurance is essential to protect your property and household goods. Comparison shopping for the best rates will certainly save you some money, but you also can save by following these tips:

• Choose a higher deductible—increasing your deductible by just a few hundred dollars can make a big difference in your insurance premium.
• Ask your insurance agent about discounts. Dead bolts, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, security systems, storm shutters and fire-retardant roofing material are just some of the home safety features that can often lower your rate. You also may be able to get a lower premium if you are a long-term customer or if you bundle other coverage, such as auto insurance, with your provider. Some companies also offer senior discounts for customers who are older than 55 years.
• Don’t include the value of the land when you are deciding how much coverage to buy. If you insure your house, but not the land under it, you can avoid paying more than you should. Even after a disaster, the land will still be there.
• If you’re a renter, don’t assume your landlord carries insurance on your personal belongings. She or he likely doesn’t. Purchase a separate renters’ policy to be sure your property—like furniture, electronics, clothing and other personal items—is covered.

Don’t wait until you have a loss to find out whether you have the right type and amount of insurance. For example, many policies require you to pay extra for coverage for high-ticket items like computers, cameras, jewelry, art, antiques, musical instruments, and stamp and coin collections.

Furthermore, not all coverage will replace fully what is insured. An “actual-cash-value” policy will save you money on premiums, but it only pays what your property is worth at the time of loss (your cost minus depreciation for age and wear). “Replacement” coverage gives you the money to rebuild your home and replace its contents.

Finally, a standard homeowners’ policy does not cover flood and earthquake damage. The cost of a separate earthquake policy depends on the likelihood of earthquakes in your area.