Making money from solar sounds simple: install panels, generate electricity and benefit from the energy they produce. In reality, getting your own solar installation up and running can involve a lot of time, money and paperwork.
First, you need the right property. If you rent your home, live in an apartment or do not control the roof, installing solar may not even be possible. Even homeowners can run into problems with roof size, shading, orientation or structural limits.
Then there are installers, equipment choices, electrical work, grid connections, permits and local municipal requirements. Once the system is installed, you are also responsible for maintaining it and dealing with anything that goes wrong. For someone who simply wants to earn from solar, that can be a lot of work.
What if you rent or live in an apartment?
This is where traditional rooftop solar becomes even more difficult. If you do not own the building, you usually cannot simply decide to install panels. You may need permission from a landlord, building management or other property owners.
That means many people who want to participate in solar are excluded simply because they do not own the right roof. Sunbucks was created to remove that barrier.
Sunbucks does the hard part for you
With Sunbucks, you do not need to install anything yourself. You buy an individually identified solar cell through the platform and receive a unique cell ID. The cell is rented back to Sunbucks under a rental agreement.
Sunbucks handles the solar project, installation, operation, maintenance and technical work. You do not need your own roof, an installer or any solar expertise. Your role is much simpler: own the solar cell and receive rental fees according to your rental agreement. See The Sunbucks Solar Cell Rental Model for a fuller explanation.
The project is already built
Sunbucks does not crowdfund its solar installations. The project is funded and installed by Sunbucks first, and the solar cells are only made available on the platform once the installation is operating and generating revenue.
Customers are therefore not paying into a future project and waiting for it to be built. Sunbucks takes care of development, construction and operation first. From the moment you purchase your cell, rental fees start accumulating in your Sunbucks dashboard according to the rental agreement and site terms. You can review the Sunbucks Terms and Conditions for the contractual details.
Start with just €2
You do not need thousands of euros to get started. Sunbucks allows customers to start with one solar cell from just €2. There is no need to buy a large bundle before you can participate, and you can add more cells later as they become available.
That makes the entry point very different from many other renewable-energy platforms.
How does Sunbucks compare?
We checked current entry prices on comparable renewable-energy platforms. Enerfip lists solar and storage opportunities with a minimum investment of €10.
Ener2Crowd states that the minimum amount to start investing on its platform is €100, although individual project minimums can vary.
Sunbucks starts from €2 for one solar cell. Among the directly comparable solar and renewable-energy platforms we checked, Sunbucks had the lowest initial entry price we found.
There are community-solar schemes that may have little or no upfront cost, but those generally work through electricity-bill credits or savings rather than purchasing an identified solar cell and receiving equipment-rental fees, so they are a different model.
Start small and add more later
Installing solar at home usually means making one relatively large decision. You choose how many panels you can afford, how many will fit on your roof and how large a system your electrical connection can support.
Sunbucks is different. You can start with €2 and add more solar cells later if you choose. You are also not ultimately limited by the physical size of your own roof.
Your solar does not need to be where you live
With rooftop solar, your panels are tied to the weather where you live. Sunbucks prefers projects in sunny regions and strong solar-resource locations, so the cells can operate where solar conditions make sense. Read Why Geography Matters in Global Solar Energy for more on this approach.
So you could live in a cloudy part of Europe while your solar cell operates somewhere with much stronger sunshine.
So what is the easiest way to make money from solar?
Installing your own solar system can make sense if you own the right property, have the capital and are prepared to manage the installation. But it is not the easiest option for everybody.
With Sunbucks, there is no roof to prepare, no installation to arrange, no municipal solar application for you to manage and no need to spend thousands before you can start. The project is already funded and operating. You can start with one solar cell from €2, begin accumulating rental fees according to your agreement and add more cells later if you choose.
That is why we believe Sunbucks is one of the easiest and lowest-cost ways to start earning from solar energy.
FAQ
How much do I need to start with Sunbucks?
You can start with one Sunbucks solar cell from €2.
Do I need to install solar panels?
No. Sunbucks funds, installs and manages the solar project.
Does Sunbucks crowdfund its solar projects?
No. Sunbucks funds and installs the project before cells are offered.
When does my rental start?
Rental fees start accumulating in your dashboard from the moment you purchase your cell, according to the rental agreement and site terms. See the Terms and Conditions.
Can I use Sunbucks if I rent my home?
Yes. You do not need to own a property or roof to buy a Sunbucks solar cell. Read Can I Earn Money from Solar Without a Roof?.
Can I buy more solar cells later?
Yes. You can start small and add more solar cells later as cells and projects become available.
Start earning from solar
Getting involved in solar does not have to mean installing an entire solar system yourself. With Sunbucks, the project is already funded, installed and operating. You can start with just €2 for one solar cell, begin accumulating rental fees and add more whenever you choose.
No roof. No installation. No crowdfunding.