Solar installer offers deal to BMW electric buyers

Chris Woodyard | USA TODAY

Make sense to us: Buy an electric car and get a deal for a home solar unit.

It's just great marketing. Who would be most likely to sign up for solar? The same same save-the-earth type who just bought a plug-in car.

It's happening with SolarCity, one of the nation's largest solar installers, and BMW.

Anyone who buys a new BMW i3 electric car, or the i8 plug-in extended range car when it goes on sale, can get a 10% discount, the two companies announced.

"Driving electric is a lifestyle, where customers gain a keen understanding of their driving habits beyond driving and are often inspired to find ways to live more sustainably," said Rob Healey, BMW's EV infrastructure manager.

The deal is similar to one earlier this year with Honda and Acura, in which a $65 million fund was establish to "assist" Honda owner's solar panel installations.

SolarCity currently offers systems in 14 states.