Solar Panels for Everyone
by Debra Lynn Dadd
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.
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
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