Want go solar without all the upfront investment?  That’s the idea behind One Block Off the Grid, a new group-buying program in Pittsburgh that offers homeowners pre-negotiated discounts so that they can easily switch to solar, sit back, and reap the rewards of renewable energy.  The new program cuts out the confusion for residents who are interested in solar energy, but not necessarily sure of how to navigate the burgeoning industry.

Best of all, the program, which is available to area homeowners through late November, offers a financing option.  If you’ve been pinching pennies in a down economy, you can still participate thanks to a financing option that requires zero money down, but offers immediate cost-savings.  One Block Off the Grid calculates that a $16,000 average total investment (that includes the discounts offered) will save a longterm homeowner $105,000 over 25 years (that’s $55,000 saved on electricity and $50,000 in money generated by the resulting solar renewable energy credits).

The company, out of San Francisco, currently operates solar programs like this one in Pittsburgh in 17 U.S. markets, linking local solar installers with eco homeowners.  I don’t know about you, but I like the idea of a group discount program that allows me less time spent researching and negotiating with solar service providers.  What do you think? If a similar service was offered in your area, would you bite at the chance?