Solar Panels For Everyone

Solar Panels for Everyone

by Debra Lynn Dadd




I live in Clearwater, Florida, sometimes called Florida's Sunshine Capital because of our amazing 361 sunny days a year. Yet, even with all this free, abundant, non-polluting sunshine, virtually all homes and businesses are powered with fossil fuels.

I've not seen a single solar panel in the five years I have lived here. Why? I would venture to say it's because most homeowners can't afford the $20,000 to $40,000 needed to install the solar panels and all the accoutrements required for a solar system. And even if money is not an issue, most people are daunted by the process of choosing solar panels, designing a system, finding an installer, and going through all the permitting and inspection. And then, if something goes wrong what do you do?

All these hindrances to solar power may be coming to an end with an innovative solar power program from a new company called Citizenre REnU. They plan to rent solar systems--all you pay for is the power produced. Solar energy will be accessible to everyone who lives in a state that offers net metering (we have it here in Florida) for the mere investment of what it costs for you to pay your local utility company every month.

The company's plan is to make their own solar panels, send an engineer to your home to take all the measurements and design a system for you that will meet 100% of your energy needs, then install and even maintain the system for you.

The first step is to reserve your system online. Then you sign and submit a Forward Rental Agreement (which you can cancel at any time without penalty), and you will be officially placed in line for installation.

You don't pay a penny until a Citizenre engineer actually has solar panels in the warehouse ready to install. Once you agree to the AutoCAD design for your home, a $500 (refundable, interest-bearing) security deposit is due, and the installation process begins, all handled by Citizenre.

In addition, they will lock in your electricity rate for up to 25 years at the same rate you paid last year to your utility. Just imagine saving more and more money on your electric bill each year as rates go up.

Sound too good to be true? Of course, there are naysayers. There are always some who are skeptical about anything new. But my opinion is that this is a great idea. It opens the door for solar power to really expand. If they can't pull it off, consumers haven't lost any money. But if they can...

First installations won't be until sometime in 2008. Currently you can sign up to be put on a list for installations, which can be cancelled at any time, with no financial obligation until the plans are drawn up just before installation. Sign up now and you will be first on your block with affordable solar energy when installation begins.

To get on the waiting list for installations, visit www.debraslist.com/affordablesolar.


Hailed as "The Queen of Green" by the New York Times, Debra Lynn Dadd has been a leading consumer advocate for products and lifestyle choices that are better for health and the environment since 1982. Visit her website to learn more about her book Home Safe Home, to sign up for her free email newsletters, and to browse 100s of links to 1000s of nontoxic, natural and earthwise products. http://www.dld123.com

What's Green Living all About?

Increasingly we find ourselves beset by problems that seem beyond our control; global warming, GM Foods, animal testing, the spread of factory farming, the arms trade and human rights abuses, to list but a few. Shoppers are often left feeling helpless, the typical response being theres nothing I can do.
But you can by shopping in an Ethical way. Put simply, this is buying things that are made ethically by companies that act ethically. Buying ethically means buying a brand or from a company which doesn’t exploit labour, animals or the environment. The way in which you can act as an ethical consumer can also take on a different form and that is avoiding products (also known as boycotting) you disapprove of such as battery eggs.
Everyone needs to go shopping in one way or another. As an ethical consumer, every time you buy something you can make a difference by choosing an ethical product or by buying from an ethical business.
For example, when you buy from a company that doesnt exploit its workers and provides them with decent working conditions, you are giving the company the funds to continue its ethical behavior. At the same time, you are no longer buying from a company that exploits its labour with poor pay and often a dangerous working environment. That company then loses business, which may encourage it to change its ways and to look after its workers.
Very simply, sustainable and green living is taking what we need, but leaving enough so there will always be more & better for everyone else for generations to come- a sustainable green lifestyle. For many green living can contain one or more of the following:
• Eating and buying as much organic, fair trade, locally produced and home grown food and non-food as possible.• Eating a healthy and balanced diet often with less or no meat.• Join a discussion group on the net or in person so that you know you’re not alone in this green quest.• Using less energy in the home and at work. By turning off appliances instead of leaving them on standby we can make a huge difference together.• Replacing worn out clothing with organic, fair trade or second hand clothes• By walking or cycling as much as possible instead of driving.• Cooking more meals at home in place of fast food.• In the home buying energy efficient appliances and from ethical companies were possible. The ethical consumer and the Good Shopping Guide are leading the way with this information in the UK. Coop America in the USA.• On that level, sustainable living is practical, and workable. • Work for an employer that is family friendly and respects your views. Not like the larger companies where you are often a statistic.
We can work endless hours to fix everything that's wrong in our daily lives including obsessing about living the perfect green lifestyle, and there will always be things we're not doing, or not doing right. The feeling of guilt will be there if we don’t recycle enough or buy a pair of jeans made in a Asian sweatshop because we are particularly poor that month. We just have to work and try to move in the right direction no matter how slow we move. Its the direction thats important.
Davinos Greeno works for the organic directory. This green directory lists 100s of Organic Food and Drink Companies and Eco Jobs and Campaigning Videos

Solar Powered Clothes Dryer!

This was the best thing that I ever done, was to get a clothes dryer. I got one at Wal-Mart that kind of makes me think of an umbrella , the way that it opens up etc. You just stick it in the ground and open it up and hang your wet clothes to dry. Mine is big enough that it holds 3 loads of clothes at once.

This cost me $38.00 ,but it has more than 100 times over paid for itself. It saves a ton energy!

We Are Living Green!!

I love the planet and the people living on it!
I have created this blog to share ways to live "green" and tips on how you can do your part to help the earth.
I am a work at home mom who does her share. I recycle, use solar power, and more. I will share it on here.

Every little bit helps!