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We went to a local solar concert/festival this weekend. Everything was solar powered and they had booths set up with info on other green things. There was a booth that advertised solar power for rent. I thought it was interesting, so I thought I'd share.
The company works in conjunction w/the electric provider here (unfortunately, not my provider as I live a little further out of town). They install solar panels on your house according to the size, usage, etc. So, this way, you don't have a huge lump payment to make upfront.
I'm not completely sure how the billing works (I need to read more about it), but essentially your energy bill (between your solar rental and electricity provider) should decrease. The electric company uses "net metering" so they can see how much solar energy you use, and any above that is available for their usage. I'm thinking that's how the rental company makes their money. Because my electric provider doesn't offer net metering, this program is not available for me.
Again, I'm not entirely solid on the details (as you can probably tell), but it does seem like a good program for those wanting to make the switch to solar but not able to afford shelling our $10,000 +.
I saw one booth at a home improvement show and the company wanted to know if we had a minimum of $30,000 to invest before they'd let us participate. After doing the math, it would not be really worthwhile to install the panels and it would be hard to recoup the investment. I don't know if that's the case in every product or company but the more I look into it, the less I'm inclined to believe that you are able to "Sell power back" to the power companies. I think it needs a lot more research to prove it to me, but I'm hoping our innovative human species will find a way to harness all that is out there.
Power company contracts are always "fuzzy". Read and unsderstand before you sign anything. Get a lawyer if you do not understand any contract. Make certain that you will never be financially responsible for the cost of the installation.
I know this is basic economic survival but everybody need to be reminded once in a while.
We went to a local solar concert/festival this weekend. Everything was solar powered and they had booths set up with info on other green things. There was a booth that advertised solar power for rent. I thought it was interesting, so I thought I'd share.
The company works in conjunction w/the electric provider here (unfortunately, not my provider as I live a little further out of town). They install solar panels on your house according to the size, usage, etc. So, this way, you don't have a huge lump payment to make upfront.
I'm not completely sure how the billing works (I need to read more about it), but essentially your energy bill (between your solar rental and electricity provider) should decrease. The electric company uses "net metering" so they can see how much solar energy you use, and any above that is available for their usage. I'm thinking that's how the rental company makes their money. Because my electric provider doesn't offer net metering, this program is not available for me.
Again, I'm not entirely solid on the details (as you can probably tell), but it does seem like a good program for those wanting to make the switch to solar but not able to afford shelling our $10,000 +.
Thank you for posting this information. I found it most interesting. SRP, my power company offers net metering. I live in Phoenix and using solar panels on my house would make a lot of sense.
I'll have to sit down and do the math and see if it'd work for me because I have a gas water heater and gas heating.
In Ed Begley's new book, he talks about, and recommends, one of these "solar panels for rent" companies, here's a link:
The Citizenrē Corporation (http://www.citizenre.com/web/index.php - broken link)
Looks like the cost could be as little as $500 up front and then there's a monthly fee. I like the idea, as not everyone has access to $30k+ to purchase their own panels.
That's the same company that I listed above. As soon as you go to the link I posted it is Citizenre.
As far as the contracts, that's kind of a moot point for me right now, as my electric company does not offer net metering, therefore I don't qualify for the solar rental. In the future, if they do, I will be sure to read every word of the contract.
That's the same company that I listed above. As soon as you go to the link I posted it is Citizenre.
Oops! Sorry, I did not go far enough into your link! What can I say, great minds think alike!!
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