Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE)’s Partnership with EnergySage

The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE), operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC), began a partnership with EnergySage in September 2017. DSIRE users can now find calls to action throughout the website where they can quickly request free quotes from local solar installers.

DSIRE, established in 1995, is a comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States. EnergySage connects homeowners with a network of more than 500 pre-screened solar installers, aggregating solar quotes for consumers and calculating the financial merits of each offer. In short, DSIRE allows consumers who are interested in solar to view solar policies and incentives in their area, and EnergySage allows them to then easily and freely receive quotes on solar installations. 

“The EnergySage collaboration makes DSIRE more actionable,” said Brian Lips, Senior Project Manager of DSIRE at the NCCETC. “Whereas we were once a passive information source, we now give consumers the option to very easily act on their research.”

The partnership began after each entity identified a need to help DSIRE visitors take action on their interest in installing solar for their home or business. Consumers can now easily type in their address and receive quotes for solar to compare the best offers for solar installers for their property for free – all done online. 

“Our collaboration provides consumers with an option to seamlessly move from education and research to comparison-shopping custom quotes from local solar contractors vetted by EnergySage,” said Nick Liberati, EnergySage PR Manager. “By complementing DSIRE’s industry-leading incentive and policy information with EnergySage’s consumer-friendly solar tools and resources, we are increasing the adoption of solar PV systems nationally, leading to more business for local installers and lenders.”

EnergySage can be reached from the dsireusa.org website under the “Try Solar Calculator” button, which brings visitors to a page where they can estimate their solar potential and savings by address, based on your roof, electricity bill, and actual offers in the area.

“EnergySage is great in that without having to do anything, you have installers coming to you and you can compare bids quickly and find the best deal for you – all at no cost,” Lips said.

EnergySage is also now managing the IT infrastructure of the DSIRE website and has improved SEO, which in turn has boosted traffic.

“From a business perspective, the partnership has helped increase the number of solar-interested consumers visiting our website by making it easier for them to find us online and by directing DSIRE visitors to EnergySage as a trusted resource for making informed solar decisions,” Liberati said. “Most importantly, our relationship with DSIRE has helped us deliver on our promise of making solar more accessible, affordable, and transparent for all Americans.”