Related Links: 
Video: Recent Interview about Citizenre, with Chris Prelitz, Energy Consultant
Video: Energy Saving Tips with Chris Prelitz, Energy Consultant
Citizenre Customer Site
Customer Update March, 2008
Letter for new customers

Frequently Asked Questions: Please click on a question to be directed to the appropriate answer.


Q. When do I pay the security deposit?
Q. What happens if I sell my house during the rental contract period?
Q. I want a system. How does it work? What is the Process?
Q. What if I don't like the design? Am I still obligated?
Q. Once I accept the design, what is the process and timeline?
Q. What exactly do I pay? How is it calculated?
Q. Do you have hidden fees or maintenance charges?
Q. Will I still be connected to the electricity grid?
Q. So, will I have two bills?  One from the manufacturing company and one from my utility?
Q. What happens if something breaks or goes wrong? 
Q. What if my kid hits a baseball through one of the panels?
Q.  I understand the manufacturing plant is not complete yet, is that right?
Q. Why should I sign up now?
Q. Can I buy the panels? 
Q. I can't find a rate for my state or utility - why not?
Q. Where can I learn more about the manufacturing company?
 

Answers are Below                     

Q. When do I pay the security deposit?                                                                                      Return to Top of Page

A. After the solar engineer comes to your house and designs your system.  They will show you exactly what the system will look like and only after you sign off on the design do you pay the deposit.  The deposit is between $500 - %1,000 depending on the size of system that you need to meet your needs.

Q. What happens if I sell my house during the rental contract period?

A. You have three options:

1.  You can ask the manufacturer to move the system to your new house. They do that one time for free. 
2. You can transfer the contract to the new owner.  This has the potential of adding value to your house, because if energy rates keep going up the way thave have been, your buyer will get a decrease in their electricity costs.
3. You contact us, tell us that you want to end the contract, and the manufacturer removes the unit.  With this option you do lose your security deposit.

Q. I want a system. How does it work? What is the Process?   

A.  This is covered in-depth in the How to Rent a System page.  If you still have questions, please contact us.

Q. What if I don't like the design? Am I still obligated?                         Return to Top of Page

A. No., You can back out without penalty.  You don't even pay the deposit until you approve the design.

Q. Once I accept the design, what is the process and timeline?

A. The installation takes about half a day.  The permit process can take as much as 90 days depending on the local utility.  The manufacturer handles every step of the process and you don't pay anything until your unit is installed and producing renewable, clean energy for your home.

Q. What exactly do I pay? How is it calculated?

A. You pay a rental that is calculated based on the estimated killowat hours produced by your system per year and the per killowatt hour rate that locks in when you apply for a system.  During the site visit, the engineer calculates your electricity needs, based on your historical usage and sizes a system to meet those needs.  

Let's say you contracted for your system to produce 9,000 kilowatt hours for the year, and your contract rate is 10 cents per kilowatt hour.  Your total bill for the year would be $900 for the rental of the solar unit.  This is paid in even monthly installments of $75 per month.

Q. Do you have hidden fees or maintenance charges?                  Return to Top of Page

A.  Nothing extra.  There are no connection fees or any 'extras'.  The government is not trying to tax the sun yet!

Q. Will I still be connected to the electricity grid?

A. Yes. This is an 'on-grid' system, utilizing net-metering.  This means that the electrical grid acts as a backup energy source to your rental solar system.  On sunny days, when your solar system is producing more electricity than you need, the excess energy is fed into the grid and your meter runs backwards, giving you a credit with the local utility.

During times when your solar system is not producing enough energy for your needs (such as nighttime), you can use electricity from the electric grid, and your meter runs forward. 

Q. So, will I have two bills?  One from the manufacturing company and one from my utility?

A. Yes. You will pay a rent for the power that your solar system produces, and you will pay your utility company the same connection fees you pay now, plus you will pay them for any energy you use from the grid that you do not replace with excess electricity from your solar system.

Q. What happens if something breaks or goes wrong?              Return to Top of Page

A. If the unit ever stops working, a representative of the manufacturer will come out and fix it for no charge.  The customer has no rental charge until the system is working agian.

Q. What if my kid hits a baseball through one of the panels?

A.  It is just like renting a car or any appliance.  You are responsible for returning it in good condition.  If you backed your car over your electrical meter, you would be responsible for replacing that, also. Customers should verify that their homeowners insurance will cover the unit.  Usually this is not a problem.

Q.  I understand the manufacturing plant is not complete yet, is that right?

A. Correct.  The manufacturer, Citizenre, is now projecting they will start installing their panels in 2009.  

Q. Why should I sign up now?                                                          Return to Top of Page

A. First because you lock in your rate as soon as you sign up  With the way rates are increasing, this could save you a significant amount of money.  Second, you reserve your position so that you can get your system sooner once the plant is producing. Third, it helps show the market how many people will go green if there is an economically viable solution.

Q. Can I buy the panels? 

A. At this time, there is no program defined to purchase the solar panels by customers.  It is possible that such an option will exist before the rental contracts start to expire - however, those options are not yet defined.

Q. I can't find a rate for my state or utility - why not?

A. The solar rental program is only available for customers connected to utilities that offer net-metering, and with whom the manufacturer has estalibhsed a rate. The manufacturer will continue to add utilities to their service area.
We recommend that you still register as a potential customer.  Although you won't yet be able to register your home or lock in your rate, you will assure that you'll be contacted as soon as the program is available in your area.

Q. Where can I learn more about the manufacturing company?               Return to Top of Page

Visit the Corporate websiteand the Customer website.