Solar energy integrator Real Goods has launched a sweepstakes that will reward winners with a 4kW solar electric system valued up to $25,000.

“One homeowner from CA (News - Alert), CO, CT, MA, NJ, or VT will win energy independence,” said the solar company.

An average American homeowner spends about $100,000 on electricity bills over the course of 25 years. Therefore, a solar electric system helps homeowners save lot of money, no matter how much costly energy becomes.

“The sweepstakes will give one lucky homeowner the ability to save thousands of dollars on electricity over the lifetime of their system and avoid utility rate increases,” the company stated.

Last year’s winners, Scott and Tracy Goegebuer, said they had signed up to be on Real Goods’ email list when they visited their outlet in Hopland, CA. When they got the email about the sweepstakes, they entered the contest and won it.

Real Goods Solar claims to have installed over 12,000 solar electric systems so far. The company has 33 years of experience in solar energy, beginning with its sale of the first solar photovoltaic panels in the United States in 1978.

“What better way to lower utility bills than with solar? Our customers frequently see a return on investment of over 20 percent for a purchased solar system,” says John Schaeffer, Residential President of Real Goods.

With the U.S. solar market projected to grow fivefold from 2010-2015, analysts say the company has plenty of opportunity ahead of it. Its solar energy systems use solar photovoltaic modules from manufacturers such as Sharp, Kyocera, Sanyo (News - Alert) and SunPower.

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