Inhabitat » RENT YOUR OWN SOLAR PANELS

January 17, 2007

RENT YOUR OWN SOLAR PANELS

by Emily Pilloton

ReNU Solar Panels

While the advantages of solar power are profound and many, some homeowners continue to shy away from the installation of residential photovoltaic cells due to high upfront costs and long “payback” timelines. But now, a rental program called REnU is making all that money talk a moot point. Delaware-based Citizenre, a renewable energy development group, will rent solar panels to US residents on a per-kilowatt basis on a one, five, or twenty-five year contract. With only a $500 deposit, paid back at the end of the contract WITH interest, homeowners can easily and inexpensively make the switch from local utilities to solar power. What’s more, Citizenre acquires all necessary permits for residential installation, making the process easy as pie.

+ Citizenre

Via Worldchanging

Citizenre REnU, Rental solar panels

19 Responses to “RENT YOUR OWN SOLAR PANELS”

RAUL GARZA Says:

January 18th, 2007 at 9:09 pm

BRAVO, THERE IS ALLWAYS A WAY TO OBTEIN WHAT IS WORTH FOR THE PEOPLE, IN THIS CASE, THE ENDS MEET, MONEY AND THE DRIVE TO HAVE A GREEN ENVIROMENT, SOMETHING LIKE THIS MUST BE POSSIBLE IN THE NEAR FUTURE. SORRY THAT IT IS NOT AVALIBLE IN OTHER PLACES.

Thea Says:

January 19th, 2007 at 10:56 pm

Great idea! Anyone doing this in Canada yet?

Shin Says:

January 21st, 2007 at 2:42 am

Interesting, but you pay the same rates as you are currently paying your utility company so where’s the savings? Besides, you’re out $500 bucks plus I’m sure there will be insurance costs aswell.

Drew Says:

January 21st, 2007 at 3:10 pm

The insurance question is a good one. I doubt most homeowner policies will cover damage to third party equipment. The savings comes from having your rate locked-in for the term of the rental. So for the first few years there’s no savings but as utility rates rise yours stay the same, and the $500 is a deposit which is returned at the end of the rental. I would like to see them offer a term somewhere in between their 5 year and 25 year terms.

Malon Says:

January 21st, 2007 at 3:16 pm

Why does there have to be a payback? Can’t we merely do something for the good of the world?

Mike Says:

January 22nd, 2007 at 12:56 am

Malon said: “Why does there have to be a payback? Can’t we merely do something for the good of the world?”

Who would pay for the donated panels?

Joel Says:

January 22nd, 2007 at 12:39 pm

i would love something like this in canada. even if its the same rate as my current provider, i get the good feeling of knowing im not contributing to a problem thats plaguing our planet

Janey Ward Says:

January 22nd, 2007 at 1:14 pm

This is very interesting.
I am excited to learn more.

Currently, most solar companies offer financing of the system and the cost is usually close to, or below, the cost of a public utility bill.

It is still a hard sell to most folks, as solar is not yet a NEED (they already have power), mostly a WANT for people who want to do the right thing.

Keep up the good work, solar folks. It will take multiple strategies to make this passive grid and active, 2-way grid.

Oren Powers Says:

January 24th, 2007 at 10:15 pm

I’m so excited to see this being discussed on InHabitat, thank you for taking the leadership role in so many important Earth-Centered activities.

To see exactly how much money you can save, go to http://www.solarfusion.org and click on the “Solar Savings Calculator.” As Drew and Shin mentioned, there is a fixed rate that gives homeowners a hedge against all future energy increases. This calculator is based on your state, utility provider, average bill and also gives you a measurement in tons of how much greenhouse gases you save the planet.

As far as the insurance question goes, Citizenre is working on including an insurance option with units when they are ready in September, but for now it is good to check with your homeowners’ insurance policy about adding this to it.

Thanks again.

Jörg Breuning Says:

January 26th, 2007 at 11:38 pm

Good pics from Germany.
Works perfect with green roofs.

Solar Kismet Says:

February 6th, 2007 at 1:39 pm

I’m not as rosy on this company in particular - they make a lot of claims and goals that aren’t achievable. I’ve tried to give some “analysis” to their marketing machine on my blog here.

Terry Says:

February 28th, 2007 at 7:51 pm

I checked the “analysis” (hack job would be a better description) that was offered by Solar Kismet and most of it was full of distortions and misunderstandings. It looks like Mr. Kismet has a lot to lose if everybody can get solar panels. I am glad that the solar bigots (who want to show how much better and smarter they are than everybody else because the rest of us can’t afford to go solar) are so angry about CitizenRe. This in and of itself makes me believe that it might just work. I certainly didn’t see any idea on Mr. Kismet’s site that offers a way that I (or the vast majority of Americans for that matter) could go solar. Just another critic that doesn’t have any idea’s of his own.

royal Says:

March 7th, 2007 at 4:42 pm

I think this is an awesome business concept.

Kim Says:

April 23rd, 2007 at 5:31 pm

I’m extremely interested in this, was wondering when you would be coming into my area, I live in Wickenburg, Arizona, where the sun never or rarely stops shining. I have just started going green and would like to know how long it will take for you to get to my area. Thanks

Josh Says:

November 27th, 2007 at 10:20 pm

Can this program be implemented into Municipal or Public Buildings as well

Mark Hicks Says:

November 28th, 2007 at 12:43 pm

Regarding Kim’s post….
Kim, I’m based out of the Phoenix area and would be happy to help you get your system reserved if you haven’t already. You might as well lock in your rate now and start building referrals. Every referral you send for a successful installation will earn you 5% off your monthly rent. The 5% is based on the rent of the person you referred. Imagine a $0 solar bill!
Phoenix is one of the top 20 markets across the nation where the residential solar installations wil begin. Citizenre is already here in Arizona! THE VALLEY OF THE SUN. Isn’t it about time solar has an opportunity to become affordable and worthwhile here in Arizona, let alone everywhere. It only makes sense! You can go to my website http://www.abetterwatt.com and click on the SOLAR RENT PROGRAM link. It will lead you to more information where you can reserve your system. Or just give me a call and we can get your system reserved over the phone.

Mark Hicks Says:

November 28th, 2007 at 2:02 pm

Regardin Josh’s post….
Josh, yes, they can be implemented into Municipal or Public buildings. Those accounts are considered commercial accounts I believe. A separate division will handle commercial vs. residential. They are referred to as franchise branches or offices. The latest I have heard regarding the commercial sector, they will begin marketing to commercial systems in March 2008. If you want to email me or phone me at my website http://www.abetterwatt.com I will be happy to stay in contact with you and will help you get in touch with the right person once they open the doors for commercial solar reservations.

Jeff Says:

December 7th, 2007 at 4:08 pm

Looks like nanosolar is fully funded and ready to pop. Finally a solar solution that is cost-effective.

Oh, I forgot, I still can’t buy it.

That seems to be the history of solar. No one has the cost-justification.

However, one can only hope nanosolar will soon offer products. They certainly seem to have the solution development funding solved.

senfryan Says:

April 29th, 2008 at 3:10 pm

welll ya but everyone is making a big deal about the saving which i understand but think of how much pollution that you wil not be putting in to the earth by not using standby power

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