Selling Homeowners a Solar Dream

slugo writes to mention a Wired article discussing a unique business looking to capitalize on interest in solar power. The Citizenr company will install a solar generator on your roof, completely for free. You then buy power from it, instead of a regular power company, at a fixed rate that's likely to be lower than the usual power fees. The company will make money on these usage fees, as well as credits from the federal government for spreading the use of solar power. If it sounds too good to be true to you, you're not alone. A number of financial analysts have warned people away from the company. "The naysayers are finding lots to say nay to. Much of the criticism is clinging to the company's multilevel marketing scheme. So far, more than 700 people have enlisted as independent Citizenr sales agents -- what the company calls 'ecopenuers' -- or about one sales representative for every 10 customers, with significant overlap. Heading that sales army is 42-year-old Styler, a veteran of multilevel marketing and a colorful figure in his own right." Pyramid marketing and shady business or not, it's an intriguing idea.

Comments

MLM

[Inmatarian]

I think the politically correct term in Multi-Level Management. The term Pyramid Scheme might offend someone. :P

On a more serious note, I thought the best way to get more money out of a customer than the advertised price of the product was to put it on a lease with an interest rate.

If you don't pay your bills...

[Anonymous Coward]

...they repo your whole roof.

Shady?

[gnurfed]

Shady business in solar power? I see warning flags popping up all over the place!

Re:Grid Tie Inverters

[aero2600-5]

I had to look up GIYF. I honestly thought it was 'Google it, you fuck!', but as it turns out, it's 'Google is your friend.'

Who knew..

Aero