There are a lot of good reasons that more and more corporations are turning to solar power installations in today’s financial markets.  They are able to lower their electricity bills, there are excellent state rebates, especially in California, the 30% federal investment tax credit is still in existence (be sure to call your tax expert before making a major decision based on federal tax breaks) and the overall Green The World glow that comes with putting solar panels on an otherwise unadorned corporate roof top and all the Green Power perks that go with being ecologically friendly.

There is one hurdle that big business is having to confront and that is the sizable upfront installation cost, however, call our friends at Suntrek Industries for the answer, because this is what they do for a living. Depending on the size of the installation, it can run $600,000 or more per commercial rooftop if one doesn’t know how to shop.

There are some very innovative and clever financial players out there that are helping a growing number of companies to get solar electricity without paying the big upfront installation cost. Using a financial financing mechanism known as a power purchase agreement such companies as Wal-Mart Stores and Whole Foods Market have contracted with third parties that install, own and maintain solar power systems that typically sit on the roof of a corporate outlet. The corporation desiring a solar electricity without the big upfront cost of installation then signs a long-term contract to buy the solar electric power from the third party at rates that are almost always less than what it would pay its traditional utility.