Photo:Flickr/ Tiago Ribeiro

A few months back, President Obama visited a Home Depot to promote energy efficiency and said that insulation was sexy. Actually, he said and I quote, “I get really excited about it … Insulation is sexy stuff. … Here’s what’s sexy about it — saving money!”

I’m all for insulation, but that struck me as being a bit artificial. But then I started thinking about a female solar installer friend who insists that solar really is sexy. While I don’t pretend to know the mind of any woman let alone this (married) friend, I do know that scientists have often said that women tend to seek the best mate that will protect her and her children.

With that premise in mind, here are 5 reasons why I think solar may be unconsciously sexy to women wanting to settle down.

Reason #1: A guy who has solar means you have a home and a stable income. As much as a women may be attracted to six-pack boy toys for a fling, if you’ve got solar, she knows you not only have a house, but a premium house and that you’re actually employed. Always a good start.

Reason #2: A guy who has solar is a guy who’s thinking about the future. When you’re making your moves on the dance floor and mention that you’ve got solar, you’re also telling her that you care about the environment and the future of your children and grandchildren.

Reason #3: Having solar means that you’re a smart investor. If you’ve taken the time to get a solar quote, then you’ve looked at the numbers to see whether solar has a return on your investment (It does in many states.) That may indicate to her that you’re a person who’s smart with money and can plan for retirement.



Reason #4: A guy who has solar means you can explain things and communicate. Telling her you have solar always leads to questions. How much does it cost? Does it need batteries? How long do they last? If you can coherently explain solar, then 1) you come off smart, and 2) she may be thinking that you’ll be able to explain other complicated things in your marriage…like why were you late coming home and who you were texting at 3 am last night.

Reason #5: A guy who has solar means he can commit. Just like marriage, solar is a long term commitment. In fact, most solar systems last 25 years or longer. Again, this indicates that you can commit to a long term relationship with solar panels, so perhaps you two will last 25 years or longer too.



Now, I’m not saying “Would you like to come over and see my solar panels” is going to work at a bar, but solar does make a lot of financial sense if you live in a state with good subsidies. So, maybe Obama is right that saving money is sexy enough.