Arizona Solar Raffle

The annual Sedona International Film Festival 2010 is being sponsored by Arizona Solar Power, an installer based out of the Verde valley. In addition to sponsoring, ASP is making it possible to finance solar in a whole new way: not by lease, loan, or PPA, but by…raffle. Raffle ticket proceeds go to support the festival’s “Sustainable/Green Film Tract and Events”, according to the festival’s website.

Arizona Solar Power of Cottonwood, Arizona and the Sedona International Film Festival have teamed up to support the Sustainability Film Series, Greening the Festival, Sustainability Round table, the Sedona Institute for Sustainability & Transformative Media, as well as awards for Sustainable filmmakers.

But what can you win?

A 5.4kw SunPower solar panel array, valued at $50,000. The price frankly seems a bit high, but perhaps it’s been inflated to cover the inevitable taxes on such winnings. ASP will receive all applicable rebates on the system; then, ASP will write a check for $50,000 to the lucky winner, who will then be eligible for all applicable tax incentives. A little confusing? Sure. Would I buy a raffle ticket or ten if I lived in Arizona? Absolutely. They’re only selling 3,000 tickets total, and at $20/each or 6/$100 it seems like a bargain when you compare it to your chances of winning the lottery. The odds aren’t that bad. SunPower makes the highest-efficiency solar panels on the market, backed by excellent warranties. Not too shabby as a giveaway system.

You might think this is the best raffle ever but not be able to take advantage of it. For instance, if you only spend $40/month on electricity and a 5.4 system would be way overkill for you, or if you live out of state. No worries: anyone country-wide is welcome to purchase tickets, and if you win, you can choose to donate your system to any home, business, or place of worship in the state. Or maybe you know someone in Arizona who ought to buy in themselves; gentle reminders in large bright-red letters on the website remind us that raffle tickets make great gifts.

The festival is in late February, giving you a couple months to purchase all the raffle tickets you want.