Comments on: Can’t Install Solar Panels On Your Home? Check Out Pear Energy!

By: Bob_Wallace

Bob_Wallace — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 17:53:00 +0000

“This is a sponsored post”

Try reading.

By: Arthur Lum

Arthur Lum — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 17:49:00 +0000

This is a clear case of Stereographic reporting where someone who claims to be reporting news makes no effort to verify claims made by the subject. This is a very lazy and misleading way to report a story. I came here for verified information and not a regurgitated advertizement. Zachary might better call himself an Advertizement Copy Writer than a reporter. Does Zachary have a vested interest in reporting the truth or is he just getting advertizement money from the companies he “reports on”.

By: tryGreener

tryGreener — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 16:26:00 +0000

Very good model to go green without a roof! Great blog. Regarding the PearEngery; question rises when read donating 50% profit. Does PearEnergy have meaning profit (it is just too easy to claim big perecentage if there is no meaningful profit)? Why not just treat their supports (customers) a cup of coffee a month instead of helping them to decide who gets donations?!

By: Reinmar, the reluctant skeptic

Reinmar, the reluctant skeptic — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 19:25:00 +0000

I am surprised that in this whole heated msg chain no one has pointed out that the main problem with both the Pear Energy site and with Z Shahan’s blog is that neither of them explain clearly what Pear Energy does & how much money is going where. As far as I can ascertain, the customer’s energy payment continues going to their regular utility, while Pear Energy adds on “the cost of a cup of coffee per week” and divides up this small amount into (a) their take, (b) some payment for RECs, and (c) donations to worthy causes. I have no reason to doubt their claims about what they do with the money, but the real question is: is this just a way for them to make a small buck from people’s desire to feel better about the state of the world, while leaving status quo untouched in all substantive respects? The key to real change in this case would be to get the energy companies to invest (some of) their profits in renewables. I see no reason to think that is happening. The utilities are probably very happy to have Pear take over their billing for them & make customers feel good about themselves, while leaving the utilities themselves free to continue in their habits without any disturbance.

If this is the case, it is classic green-washing, and hence a disservice, however sincere the CEO may be. The fact that BBB has received no complaints is entirely irrelevant, and Renewable Energy Certification from US Dept of Energy only means they are giving (perhaps only a few cents??) to legitimate wind farms etc.

Zachary, or anyone else: if this is NOT the case & I have misinterpreted the obscure formulations on the Pear website, please explain. Thanks —

By: Another one

Another one — Thu, 05 Dec 2013 16:39:00 +0000

The greenwashing score is based on essentially one post. The objections it poses are mainly to the REC system.

By: Someone_191

Someone_191 — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 19:49:00 +0000

Here’s another take on Pear energy: http://www.greenwashingindex.com/pear-energy-how-green/ they rank Pear’s ads as a 4.8 on a measurement scale of 1-5 measuring how bogus an advertisement’s claims are. Note of course this is not “official” so, could itself be bogus

By: Drjackpot

Drjackpot — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 17:13:00 +0000

Check out the Greenwashing Index comment on Pear Energy–bogus.

By: Louise Rollins

Louise Rollins — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 12:36:00 +0000

The concept is sound, but their “ads” are deceiving – making the reader believe they will actually be USING 100% cleanly produced energy and it takes a bit of reading to find that your energy bill will be higher. Since the concept is sound, why not advertise it as it really is: you will be donating money to invest in wind and solar energy.

By: TVulgaris

TVulgaris — Wed, 10 Jul 2013 15:53:00 +0000

The BBB was the FIRST link I followed before I even landed here, after seeing the reference to Pear in another sponsored email (from National Memo, a progressivist rag.)

The objections to promoting Pear would be valid were this investigative rather than promotional.

The way I look at it, 2/3rds to 3/4s of all new businesses, especially those of unconventional model (and this is not a new model, but it’s certainly not conventional) aren’t viable past the first few years. So, as long as it’s honest (as best as we can determine, and the BBB and proper business dealings with their home state of FL are good places to start) this is worth promoting. RECs at the very small scale have been around for decades, we still need to promote the hell out of good ideas and get over being attached to a 100% success rate, just like the rest of the world.

By: Sir Real

Sir Real — Tue, 02 Jul 2013 16:39:00 +0000

Thank you very much Carl for providing actual useful information!

By: Carmel Garcia

Carmel Garcia — Thu, 30 May 2013 22:41:00 +0000

why are you harping on the 50%, that’s not at issue.

By: Carmel Garcia

Carmel Garcia — Thu, 30 May 2013 22:36:00 +0000

does it matter how we got here.

By: Bob_Wallace

Bob_Wallace — Thu, 30 May 2013 22:34:00 +0000

Time for you to quit spamming….

By: Carmel Garcia

Carmel Garcia — Thu, 30 May 2013 22:33:00 +0000

ahahahhahaha! lol!

By: Carmel Garcia

Carmel Garcia — Thu, 30 May 2013 22:32:00 +0000

so why doesn’t this interview answer any questions that a potential consumer might ask? I found nothing informative in this article only that it costs more, but with a so what attitude.

By: Carmel Garcia

Carmel Garcia — Thu, 30 May 2013 22:31:00 +0000

very nice! high five!

By: Carmel Garcia

Carmel Garcia — Thu, 30 May 2013 22:30:00 +0000

we won’t.

By: Carmel Garcia

Carmel Garcia — Thu, 30 May 2013 22:30:00 +0000

all of it does.

By: Carmel Garcia

Carmel Garcia — Thu, 30 May 2013 22:29:00 +0000

the link is listed as a credible source for Pear Energy, I found nothing in the article that would make me want to run out and sign up with this company. It was purely advertisement.

By: Carmel Garcia

Carmel Garcia — Thu, 30 May 2013 22:27:00 +0000

so he shouldn’t point out the error? wow! unbelievable! you both convinced me to stay clear of this company and will be telling everyone.