Very interesting business someone is starting up. It looks too good to be true. But since no deposit is required, is there any harm in registering now, in the off chance it becomes a reality in 2008?
the company http://www.citizenre.com
the program http://renu.citizenre.com
A wonderful idea. Don’t pay the $25000 upfront cost for a solar system- just rent it for 1, 5, or 20 years. It’s transferable to the next owner, or you can take it with you. Your costs = FPL, plus the cost of a dedicated phone line. BUT there are no price increases. Your per kilowatt cost stays the same the life of the contract.
I think they make a good point responding to “Why not just buy, and forget the rent?”. 1. technology changes. If it’s really worth it, they’ll be coming back to replace it (not likely in my estimation) . 2. The upfront cost is huge. I figure I’d spend about $14000 in rent for 5 years, including another phone line. I’d spend the same money by doing nothing, and this way I’m helping the world be a little greener. In 5 years there may be a better option to purchase, but if the past is any indication, there won’t be. I’ve been looking for a solution since 1996.
I did some sniffing around the web, and it’s difficult to find the real beef on the company. Basically they are releasing information from a sales/marketing perspective. Does anything else really matter? I’m not investing, just paying rent, right? No fees until after installation.
Interestingly, they are quite a web saavy marketing group using blogs to help a) create interest b)increase links to their web site c) increase web rankings by the former two items. Well done!
Look at this thread: http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=46770
and here http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=47419
Conclusion: Don’t sign up. Until the true viability is proven, I wouldn’t give them your personal information.