Solar Panels for Everyone
I live in Clearwater, Florida, sometimes called Florida’s
Sunshine Capital because of our amazing 361 sunny days a
year. Yet, even with all this free, abundant, non-polluting
sunshine, virtually all homes and businesses are powered
with fossil fuels.
I’ve not seen a single solar panel in the five years I have
lived here. Why? I would venture to say it’s because most
homeowners can’t afford the $20,000 to $40,000 needed to
install the solar panels and all the accoutrements required
for a solar system. And even if money is not an issue, most
people are daunted by the process of choosing solar panels,
designing a system, finding an installer, and going through
all the permitting and inspection. And then, if something
goes wrong what do you do?
All these hindrances to solar power may be coming to an end
with an innovative solar power program from a new company
called Citizenre REnU. They plan to rent solar systems–all
you pay for is the power produced. Solar energy will be
accessible to everyone who lives in a state that offers net
metering (we have it here in Florida) for the mere
investment of what it costs for you to pay your local
utility company every month.
The company’s plan is to make their own solar panels, send
an engineer to your home to take all the measurements and
design a system for you that will meet 100% of your energy
needs, then install and even maintain the system for you.
The first step is to reserve your system online. Then you
sign and submit a Forward Rental Agreement (which you can
cancel at any time without penalty), and you will be
officially placed in line for installation.
You don’t pay a penny until a Citizenre engineer actually
has solar panels in the warehouse ready to install. Once you
agree to the AutoCAD design for your home, a $500
(refundable, interest-bearing) security deposit is due, and
the installation process begins, all handled by Citizenre.
In addition, they will lock in your electricity rate for up
to 25 years at the same rate you paid last year to your
utility. Just imagine saving more and more money on your
electric bill each year as rates go up.
Sound too good to be true? Of course, there are naysayers.
There are always some who are skeptical about anything new.
But my opinion is that this is a great idea. It opens the
door for solar power to really expand. If they can’t pull it
off, consumers haven’t lost any money. But if they can…
First installations won’t be until sometime in 2008.
Currently you can sign up to be put on a list for
installations, which can be cancelled at any time, with no
financial obligation until the plans are drawn up just
before installation. Sign up now and you will be first on
your block with affordable solar energy when installation
begins.
To get on the waiting list for installations, visit
www.debraslist.com/affordablesolar.
About the Author
Hailed as “The Queen of Green” by the New York Times, Debra
Lynn Dadd has been a leading consumer advocate for products
and lifestyle choices that are better for health and the
environment since 1982. Visit her website to learn more
about her book Home Safe Home, to sign up for her free email
newsletters, and to browse 100s of links to 1000s of
nontoxic, natural and earthwise products.
http://www.dld123.com
This entry was posted on Thursday, March 29th, 2012 at 9:06 pm and is filed under environment issues. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.