Here's Why It's Awesome
Competitive Rates, Fewer Fees
As a credit union, our profits don't line the pockets of shareholders and hedge fund investors. Instead, they are returned to our members in the form of lower fees and better rates.
First-Class Service & Support
We're ready to help. Talk to a real, live person any time you need assistance and enjoy the friendly, personal service that Community 1st has offered since 1925. Our credit union membership is open to all.
No-Fuss Online Application
With our seamless online application and fast approval process, you won't need to jump through lots of hoops. Many loans can be approved instantly to get you started right away.
We don't like being negative about our industry, but we need to write about the 1.99% financing, or 2.99% financing, or 3.99% financing offers you may see with some solar companies. These offers should raise red flags for the consumer. Why are these rates below what reputable banks are offering? We call it convenience financing and it is a typical way to finance home services like windows, doors, furniture, and appliances. The financial banks offer these types of loans as high-risk financing where the financing company behind the loan does not qualify the creditworthiness of the buyer. The higher risk involved the financing company places a dealer fee on the loan and that gets passed on to the buyer. The fee can be substantial. Thousands of dollars. The solar salesperson selling this convenience may have an application where they snap a picture of your driver's license. It fills out the pertinent information on the screen. Within minutes the salesperson shows you the finance application is approved from the screen. It is fast, it is convenient, and the buyer has no idea of the money that goes to the financing company. Or that they paid for that convenience with a much higher cost for their solar. But the loan is approved and the solar is going to save you $20 a month from your average electricity bill. It could be a 30-year loan.
Having the right financing is essential. In the early days of solar, the problem was that established banks and lending institutions knew very little about solar or the industry to feel comfortable offering a Solar Loan. Just in the last couple of years did solar start seeing credit unions and banks willing to finance solar energy loans. Getting a great solar loan should be as easy a great car loan. Credit Unions are great financiers of cars and now are starting to finance solar! Currently, we offer excellent financing with the same lenders who finance your vehicle with the same low interest.
Recommendation financed through our excellent credit union partners.
We were instrumental in the launch of the RENU program by the Colorado Energy Office. Elevations Credit Union was the first credit union in Colorado be offer Energy Efficiency and Solar loans through this program. Through Elevation Credit Union, you can get a loan at 2.75% for 36 months or get a loan with excellent credit for 5.5% and 180 months with installments that are much like you are already paying your utility company for energy that you have no control over. How would you like to reduce your utility bill to just a connection fee? You can absolutely do that for what you are already paying the utility company. That is why you are seeing more and more neighbors going solar! It is affordable!
If you are looking to fund a solar panel project or improve the overall energy efficiency of your home, Westerra's RENU Energy Loan. Westerra Credit Union is the newest credit union in Colorado be offer Energy Efficiency and Solar loans through the RENU program. Through Westerra Credit Union, you can get a loan with low fixed interest rates. No money down; finance up to 100% of the cost of the project
Loan terms up to 15 years (or 20 years for solar PV). No prepayment penalties.
We have had years of financial lending support from this Washington and now Colorado-based company. Before COVID-19 they had a Summer Loan program that allowed borrowers to go No Money, 0 down, and go 16 months with no payments with 4.7% interest! It was called their Summer Solar Loan program and it was a very popular loan choice for many of our customers because it gave them time to file taxes and apply the Federal Tax Credit for this solar loan. The Summer Loan is not available at this time, but they still have 4 other loan programs to make solar affordable.
Learn more with us. Schedule an appointment or give us a call.
The Solar Side Up TeamAbout Us
Solar Side Up LLC is a locally owned and operated company that quickly earned its place among the top 10 solar system installers in the state. We provide custom solutions to the unique energy needs of our customers in Colorado. Our solutions are always reliable, affordable, and utterly efficient. These factors make us the best solar panel company for you in the area.
Solar Panel Installation Quotes
One of our excellent services is that we offer solar panel installation quotes beforehand. Giving quotes is a win-win situation for both the company and the customer.
Schedule with a Solar Side Up Advisor today!
Our top-notch services in CO are:
- Residential Solar System
- Commercial Solar System
- Roofing
- Solar System Repair
- Roof Repair
- Solar Financing
