6degrees AstroBlog

Citizenre Installation Broadcast on “Living With Ed”

By Irwin Horowitz, 11-06-07

The first beta-install of a Citizenre solar panel array was broadcast last night on HGTV’s Living with Ed program.  Each week on the show, actor and environmental activist Ed Begley, Jr., along with his wife Rachelle Carson employ a broad range of sustainable and eco-friendly improvements to their San Fernando Valley home and visit many of their friends from both the entertainment industry and in their community to assist them with upgrading their homes to make them more green.

In last night’s episode, their friends Paul and Hala are in the process of completely renovating their Venice Beach bungalow and want to employ sustainable building materials and techniques.  They also are excited about getting solar panels installed.  However, since they have limited means, they could never afford to purchase a modest solar panel system for their new home.  Citizenre provides them with an affordable option by renting the panels and charging them a monthly fee for the equipment.

Here is the press release from Citizenre’s Vice-President of Communications Erika Morgan:

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Erika Morgan, SVP Communications

SOLAR ON A TIGHT BUDGET?
CITIZENRE SOLAR RENTAL SHOWCASED ON HGTV’S “Living With Ed”

November 5, 2007—A young married couple in their first home, shoestring budget, baby on the way—how can they possibly afford to add solar energy to their house?

“By renting it”, said Ed Begley Jr., six-times Emmy nominated actor and environmentalist.

In the November 5 episode of “Living With Ed”, host Ed showcases solar in this new form.  “Putting the 2 kW Citizenre system on this house symbolized a 20-year dream for me, to help put solar power within reach of anyone.”

The young family in Venice, CA, shows exactly why renting solar makes so much sense.  Paul Eckstein & Hala Khori have just moved into their 2-bedroom bungalow. He is a writer, she is a yoga instructor and their first baby is due anytime. How is this the right time to be adding an expensive solar system to their home?

“Renting the system just makes so much sense”, said Paul. “We really wanted to do the right thing, to make our new house as green as possible. But we sure didn’t have the cash to buy a system, or even to carry loan payments. This way, Citizenre takes care of everything—they install it, fix it, all that. And our savings increase every time the rates go up”.

Paul and Hala worked closely with Citizenre’s local system installer Stephen Gates, who designed and installed their solar system. “The family should save about 30% - on their electricity each month, for $25.00 per month,” Gates explained. “Since they averaged $28 per month for that same amount of electricity, they are already saving a little each month”.

“It’s so great that we can actually have solar on our first house”, said Hala. “By renting, we actually save money– and that’s money we can save for something else. And we know we’re still doing the right thing for our baby’s future. That’s the very best part of the story”.

“I have been involved with residential solar power for over 20 years, and put my own system on in 1990. You can’t make gasoline in your house, but you can make electricity on your roof – I’ve been doing it for 17 years,” said Begley. “I’ve been frustrated by how many people come to me for advice on solar, only to find it is out of their financial reach. With Citizenre’s rental program, all that changes. Anyone who wants to make clean, green power in their home can do it. With the help of Citizenre, I hope we duplicate Paul and Hala’s story nationwide beginning in 2008.”

The Eckstein family and “Living with Ed” are showing that solar electric systems can now fit in everyone’s budget.

View the episode “PERFECT PRESENT” at http://www.livingwithed.net/eguide.asp.
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About Citizenre Corporation
Founded in 2005, Citizenre Corporation announced its “solar made simple” residential rental model in late 2006. High-volume manufacturing, a national network of branded franchise installation companies, proprietary technology and innovative finance will enable Citizenre to achieve similar breakthroughs in cost and customer service for non-residential solar customers as well. Further announcements about Citizenre’s plans and achievements are expected throughout the months ahead. Ed Begley Jr. has served as media spokesperson for Citizenre Corporation and their innovative REnU rental program since December 2006. www.livingwithed.net.
For more information about Citizenre Corporation and the REnU program, please visit http://www.citizenre.com and/or http://www.jointhesolution.com/irwinh.

DISCLAIMER: I am an independent Ecopreneur with Citizenre.  If anyone is interested in discussing our solution with me, I would be more than happy to oblige.

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