[Stoves] Solar City business model

[Andrew C. Parker]

Paul,

Solar City does not exactly provide solar installation for free.  They  
provide an option in which they will install a complete system with no  
money down, but it involves a long-term contract (purchase option after 5  
years) in which the customer buys the electricity generated by the panels  
at a set price (I am guessing that option requires the existence, beyond  
federal subsidies, of state, local and utility subsidies for solar panel  
installation and solar generated electricity).

I am not poo-pooing the idea.  It is a sound model.  It would be sounder  
if it did not rely on subsidies.

Where there is a strong market for rice husk char and ash, I agree that  
such a model could be used to market char-producing stoves to provide  
energy to the customer in exchange for char and ash, and a fee, if  
needed.  I truly hope you can convince someone to invest.