Version: 2008

Comments on: Love or hate it, solar challenger Citizenre hits delays

A controversial company that promises to rent, rather than sell, solar panels could announce its plans in the fall.

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Interesting idea, but...
by Mabus July 24, 2007 10:18 AM PDT
I like the idea of bringing down the startup costs for consumers, but I don't see how their model can handle the depreciation of photovoltaic (pv) systems. A pv system generally pays for itself in about 10 years given the current market rates for electricity, but that's also the life expectancy of the unit. Soon after you've broken even, you need to replace it. Their rental pricing will need to take that into account, so it will likely be the same price as getting a home equity loan to purchase the system.
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25 years, more likely.
by tonycecala July 24, 2007 11:46 AM PDT
Most solar panels come with a 20 to 25 year warrranty because the panels last for at least that long. The Citizenre business model has been carefully thought out, yet heavily criticized. If it were easily understood, or simple to implement, it would have been done already by someone else. (Disclaimer: Yes, I am an Independent Rep. for Citizenre--no need to Google me, or "out me.")
And power companies will then charge more
by Vegaman_Dan July 24, 2007 1:00 PM PDT
Power companies base their budgets on anticipated income from their customers. If the customers start using less, then they will be forced to raise the rates to compensate so that they still get the same (or more) money for the missing power.

I wish I could say this was fantasy, but even in my own state after a particularly nasty winter storm that left much of the region without power for a week, the power company applied for and was approved to enforce a temporary rate hike to make up for the missing power. The power company was going to get that money whether or not they actually produced it.
Love it or hate it, here comes Citizenre!
by dcmille290 July 25, 2007 3:53 AM PDT
One of the things that seem to get peoples attention is when someone or some company decides to do something no one has done before. David Gregg's vision has secured and impressed our investors so to me that says they know something Citizenre doubters don't. I have seen many things that are not available to the public yet, but when the public announcement is made people will be impressed and eating some crow.
Yes, I am an Independent Ecopreneur for Citizenre.

D Miller
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Good Luck Citizenre
by crsolar August 9, 2007 9:15 PM PDT
I pray this is real, we need a simple way to get people over to Solar & other simple solutions.
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re: Good Luck Citizenre
by dcmille290 August 10, 2007 1:54 PM PDT
Hey CRSOLAR,
Thanks for the best wishes. This is as real as any company, doing something that has never been done before, can be.
As an I.E. with Citizenre, I have been privy to some behind the scenes info, via Non Disclosure Agreement, and the public and naysayers will be amazed at what has been put together in such a short period of time.
Please consider investigating our mission, you can always contact me directly and talk about why this is everyones responsibility to help combat Global Warming, reduce our demand on foreign oil and strengthen our National Security.
NWArkansasSolar.com

Thanks,
DC Miller
Ind. Ecopreneur
IDS are nto the installers
by dcmille290 August 11, 2007 5:21 AM PDT
Dear Martin,
Please get the story right. We will have a network of franchises, the actual Solar System installers, installing both commercial and residential systems.
The IDS (Independent Direct Sellers) or Ecopreneurs, are responsible for helping educate the public on how to supplement their homes with Solar power, and sign them up for our ReNu systems. Helping to educate folks about Global Warming, the damages of continuing to burn fossil fuels, are also a big part of our position.

Thanks,
David Miller
Ecopreneur
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IDS's are not the installers
by dcmille290 August 11, 2007 5:22 AM PDT
Dear Martin,
Please get the story right. We will have a network of franchises, the actual Solar System installers, installing both commercial and residential systems.
The IDS (Independent Direct Sellers) or Ecopreneurs, are responsible for helping educate the public on how to supplement their homes with Solar power, and sign them up for our ReNu systems. Helping to educate folks about Global Warming, the damages of continuing to burn fossil fuels, are also a big part of our position.

Thanks,
David Miller
Ecopreneur
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