One of the things I’ve thought about here for a while is expanding this blog slightly beyond computer geekery. There really are a wide range of things I’m a geek about and I’d like to discuss some of these other things.

In an era of looming global warming plus post oil peak considerations, I’m extremely interested in alternative forms of energy, not to mention general conservation, recycling, and so on. For example, I recently replaced my aging about-to-die washing machine with the most energy efficient one I could find. My next car may very well be a hybrid (although I run my cars into the ground, so that will be a ways off in any case).

I came across this new concept in home solar energy and I’m extremely interested in it. As you can see from their website, the basic idea is that they rent you the panels for a fixed rental fee. In exchange, they take care of the installation, the reverse metering, get excess eletricity that you generate. It may sound pie in the sky, but as they point out, this is exactly the same concept behind the nearly free cellphones you get these days. What? They GIVE you a cellphone for practically FREE? What’s the catch? Well, the money is in the service plan. They’re applying the same concept here; what they are after is the service plan that’s set up. I’m giving this some serious consideration.

However, there are a number of things I want to know, which their site doesn’t go into. Who are the people behind this company? What is their previous experience and background? Who are the people or organizations that are funding them or have invested in their company? What is their business plan? I’m trying to find out details like this before going further.

If any of you know anything more about this company, please feel free to comment… I’ll update as I learn more.