Drawing power from the sun is not a new concept, neither is the use of solar panels to save money on utility bills. But add those concepts to the other automated features of a smart home and you have the next best thing offered by Provo-based Vivint.

"The idea is that we have a platform to provide technology services to the home," said Alex Dunn, Vivint's COO. "The next step in customer service is affordable electricity."

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