SAN DIEGO — SolarCity has announced the launch of a zero-down solar financing program for the home building industry. Home builders now have the opportunity to offer solar in their new residential communities without incurring any upfront costs. According to the company, homebuyers can save up to 20 percent on their energy costs from the first day they move in by using solar electricity to power their new homes.

Typically, only individual homeowners had the option to get solar with a zero down solar lease or a solar power purchase agreement (PPA); home builders could only integrate solar in their new home construction with a full prepay option. Now, SolarCity enables home builders to take advantage of zero-down financing and pass on the savings to their customers. The zero-down financing program will initially be available to home builders in Arizona, California, Colorado, Maryland, New Jersey, and Oregon. SolarCity expects to expand the offer to additional territories in the coming months.

“Home builders today are investing heavily in adopting green construction practices and solar is a linchpin in the success of a modern, energy efficient home,” said Walter Cuculic, SolarCity’s national manager of Builder Programs. “SolarCity’s full-service offering and our new zero-down financing option helps home builders meet their aggressive construction timelines and stay within their budgets, and solar will save money for the homebuyer on their energy bills for years to come.”