Citizenre: Making Solar Power affordable for U.S. Homeowners

[porges37mer]

There is a new startup company that is gaining momentum called Citizenre. Their idea is to make a PV solar power rental network in the US that will bring down the cost of solar energy. What they are doing now is getting homeowners (duplex and single family homes) to reserve their system. Citizenre will ultimately be producing the solar arrays from their own plant beginning in 2008 for installation.
Now, what is the catch? Well, it is a rental system, so the only thing customers will have to pay is a security deposit, $500 for most people (up to a 5kW system). Compare that to the 10s of thousands of dollars you pay now, and it becomes a good deal. So then, the customers pay per kWh, like they are doing now with the utilities, except it is for the power produced by the array. This effectively brings the cost of solar to 10 cents or less per kWh.
Plus, Citizenre wants to keep homeowners’ utility bills low by offering a chance to lock in their current rate....for up to 25 years! That means the energy produced by the PV system is charged per kWh at the same rate as homeowners are paying for electricity right now. You will be able to save thousands, sometimes 10s of thousands over the 25 year period.
The other neat thing about this deal is that the rate that is locked in is determined by when the system is reserved. So, if you sign up today, you get today’s rate. Also, the security deposit is put into a T-bond which gains interest and after the term is ended, you get it back plus that interest. It is like any other long term investment.
I have a couple of interesting articles:
http://asap.ap.org/stories/1159211.s
Cnet: http://news.com.com/Breaking+the+mold+in+s...61136.html

The website: www.jointhesolution.com/porges37mer

[the nature scene]

Yes, it's been mentioned in this thread:

http://www.theenvironmentsite.org/Fo...pic.php?t=7402


Thanks for the articles.

[Jeroenla]

They ain't that great

Originally Posted by Jeroenla

They ain't that great

Yeah, I've heard one or two things along those lines before about CitizenRe.

[porges37mer]

Hello all, and thank you for entering the discussion. The reason that I joined with Citizenre as an Ecopreneur was that they stand for something that I believe in, a better way. Yes, their methods are different because this country and this world needs something different.
But, they are a business and a startup business at that, which is why people are skeptical. Let me ask you this, isn't every distributor of PV solar panels a business too? I would rather the solar panels come from an independent source other than BP or Shell, don't you think?
Please, I appreciate a discussion, what are some concerns that you all have? That Citizenre won't produce the solar panels? They have already close to 9000 people signed up to get their systems. Citizenre would be disappointing a lot of people (myself included) if they did not live up to their promises. Thank you.
And yes, I know they were already mentioned, but I am independent from that person, and I believe in being upfront with people.

[Jeroenla]

My concerns are in the article linked to above:
they promise a lot, yet aren't even capable of getting back to you when they say they will, and when they do, they quote your message with your question only to answer another question.

Besides, a company that does all their communications using a FREE email? Seriously, if you are capable of doing what they say they are doing, you should also be able to have a website of your own.

That, plus the problem that the demand is waay too much for them to handle, which causes problems for existing companies (people who could purchase their own systems now waiting for citizenre, while spending the money elsewhere.

[porges37mer]

Jeroenla,

Hi, and again, thank you. First of all, where are you living right now? I am in Jacksonville, FL and I like living here. You know what I would be really happy with? Seeing solar panels on everybody's roof. I know, pie in the sky thinking, but it may happen. And it has to happen somewhere. It isn't happening now because the solar panels are too expensive. Do you know what I was quoted for a system after rebates and subsidies? $20,000 from BP solar. This was last week. And that was for a 5 kW system (500 kWh per month).
Look, I know it takes a leap of faith with Citizenre, but I believe it will happen. I am sorry if that is not enough for you, I too am impatient. I think we should have all gone solar already. But, there is no need to get excited. If you are a homeowner and are interested, you just sign up, no money required. They are just asking you to hold your place in line.
When the panels are ready for installation, they send an engineer from a locally owned and operated franchise to show you a computer representation of what it will look like on your house. Then, if you are satisfied, they ask for the security deposit to lock you in with solar power. Tell me, is there a single company that offers a reservation for anything free of charge? Especially for a reservation that will be met several months later. Don't say hotels because they require a credit card, Citizenre does not :)

I really like this idea in pricipal, but where are these guys getting their capital? Does anyone else think the sales associate system sounds like a pyramid scheme?

[porges37mer]

Jezzer,

Thank you. That is the 600 million dollar question that everyone who is following this issue has asked. Where is the money? I am perfectly content with the answer: 'Just wait and see'. They are a private company, and do not need to disclose that kind of information. Besides, it really doesn't matter, as a customer at least, they don't ask perspectives for a dime.
And I want to just say briefly about the second topic. That they have not asked for any money from anyone (except their investors :p ). I have not paid Citizenre anything. The ~9000 customers that have reserved their systems have not paid anything or been required to use a credit card to place a hold on their REnu (PV solar panel system).
I believe that we all need to wait and see, the world (at least the solar power industry world) is watching.