Airbnb and NRG Energy team up to incentivise homeowners
New Jersey-based NRG Energy is rolling out a programme that will offer incentives to Airbnb hosts to install rooftop solar panels on their homes. Yesterday NRG Home Solar, a residential division of solar company NRG Energy, and Airbnb announced the new partnership, to increase the adoption of solar energy. The companies will provide solar installation incentives to existing and new members of the Airbnb community, and Airbnb travel credits to NRG clients to encourage individuals to experience home sharing, which the companies call "a more sustainable way to travel" than hotels. "This is the perfect example of two like-minded companies teaming up to make solar more accessible to a sustainability-minded community, creating a social solution to the societal problem of climate change," NRG Home President and CEO, Steve McBee, said in a statement. "It's a first for our industry and will allow us to help more Americans generate clean, renewable power and in turn, cut their electricity costs."

A new partnership between NRG Home Solar and Airbnb, aimed at helping to increase the amount of rooftop solar installations, will deliver incentives to both existing and new Airbnb members in the form of rebates and/or travel credits.

According to the results of a study conducted by Cleantech Group for Airbnb, using a home sharing service while traveling, instead of a standard hotel, can deliver environmental benefits by significantly reducing the amount of energy and water used, the amount of waste generated, and the total greenhouse gas emissions, when compared to staying at “traditional accommodations.”

Adding a renewable energy component to home sharing locations, and the effective and economically viable choice of solar PV at that, seems like a natural progression for Airbnb hosts looking to meet the wishes of those guests seeking a more sustainable alternative when traveling. Knowing that your “green” travel accommodations were also powered, at least in part, with clean energy could be a determining factor for some guests, or could help to make certain listings stand out from the competition, thanks to solar PV.

“There is a natural connection between home sharing and using your home to generate energy for your community. This partnership is a win, win, win: it will allow hosts to generate supplemental income, reduce the carbon footprint for homeowners and provide travelers with a lodging option that is even more sustainable.” – Joe Gebbia, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer of Airbnb

The NRG Home Solar + Airbnb promotion will allow current Airbnb hosts who choose to go solar through the initiative to get a rebate on their home solar lease, which will vary in value by location. For homeowners who aren’t Airbnb hosts yet, becoming one at the same time as going solar through this program will net them the solar lease rebate as well as a travel credit from Airbnb. And for current NRG Home Solar customers who become Airbnb hosts through the program, a travel credit from Airbnb will be provided.

The initial solar partnership will be launched in the states of California and New York beginning December 1st, 2015, with “an intention to expand the offering to other states in the coming months.” Find out more at NRG Home Solar.

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