EMU Today

YPSILANTI - Eastern Michigan University has partnered with EnergySage to provide educational resources and calculators for EMU employees, faculty, students, and alumni who are looking for solar options at home.

Members of the EMU community can access resources and compare solar options online at the EMU-EnergySage program page. EnergySage helps homeowners and renters make an educated decision when considering going solar at home—whether with rooftop solar panels or by subscribing to a community solar farm when rooftop solar panels aren’t an option.

“There are dozens of solar options and installers but it’s difficult to sift through the noise when it comes to understanding the pros and cons of going solar,” said Tom Kovacs, chair of the EMU President’s Sustainability Commission. “As a higher education institution, we are committed to helping educate the EMU community on what clean energy options are available to our community beyond the campus and feel EnergySage is the perfect partner to help them begin their personal solar journey and live more sustainably.”

EnergySage services are 100 percent online and free of charge.

EnergySage is available in 42 states plus Washington, D.C. for homeowners looking to install solar panels—and in 11 states plus Washington, D.C. for anyone who rents or owns a home and wants to subscribe to a community solar farm.

“We’re a truly unbiased source dedicated to helping consumers learn about solar, decide if it’s a fit for them, and comparison shop for solar options without any pressure to buy,” said Tess O’Brien, VP of Partnerships with EnergySage. “We’re excited to bring this opportunity directly to the EMU community and help people save 20-30% on solar by utilizing our competitive marketplace full of local pre-vetted solar installers.”

Going solar via EnergySage’s competitive marketplaces is a win-win for EMU, too. The University receives a contribution from EnergySage for every installed residential solar and battery storage system or community solar subscription. This will help fund the work of the President’s Sustainability Commission.

The EMU/EnergySage partnership is the latest initiative of the EMU President’s Sustainability Commission. President James Smith formed the Commission in 2018, and the University recently received a bronze STARS rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.

Please email emu_sustainability@emich.edu with any questions about the EnergySage partnership. 

About EnergySage, Inc.
EnergySage is the leading online comparison-shopping marketplace for rooftop solar, energy storage, project financing, and community solar. Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, EnergySage is trusted by over 10 million consumers across the country to help them make smarter energy decisions through simplicity, transparency, and choice. Unlike traditional lead-generation websites, EnergySage empowers consumers to request and compare competing quotes online from a network of more than 500 pre-screened installation companies – a formula that is proven to result in a higher rate of adoption, 20 percent lower prices on average for consumers, and significantly lower costs for renewable energy providers. For these reasons, leading organizations like DSIRE, Environment America, Intuit, Kaiser Permanente, and National Grid point their audiences to EnergySage. Visit EnergySage for more information, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube. 

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 14,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.