The independent-minded "republic of Berkeley" has devised an innovative method to meets its greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The city will pay the upfront cost of solar panels for residential customers who apply and add a charge to monthly tax bills for 20 years.

The solar panels will stay with the properties if the homeowner sells, but if they stay they get the benefit of "free" electricity. This type of financing should greatly encourage the spread of solar industry, but a city must be solvent to afford the bonds that will pay the upfront costs.

While renters might argue that public money shouldn't benefit homeowners, in reality everyone should benefit as lower peak power demands should cut the electric rates across the board. We can expect more of these innovative financing deals in the future, with third-parties figuring out how to make the economics work for everyone.