Wahoo! Our first major campaign hit pay dirt. We asked all the green energy providers if they would provide us finance for solar panels. After all, if you can get a plasma tv from Harvey Norman on a finance plan, then why not something as vital to changing the world's fortunes as solar panels?

We got varying responses, and you can have a look a them in the links below. The only company that didn't respond at all was Jackgreen Energy.

AGL was a bit confusing. He said they "have a considerable number of new projects under consideration, including solar power" so I don't even reckon they sell solar panels yet! Whoops. Oh well, we gave them a bit of direction for when they eventually do.

Country Energy said our "suggestion of a finance scheme to fund the provision of domestic solar systems is something that we will consider as part of a wider review of our solar incentive programs that we're currently undertaking."

We were pleased that it was straight from the Managing Director Craig Murray. He even gave us his direct line to discuss it further. Nice guy. And it was no templated answer either.

We were disappointed that he called his renewable energy program a "success, with several hundred Country Energy residential customers installing solar systems of wind generators..." I don't know Craig, if that's your idea of success then we think your expectations are a little anemic. We think maybe you are suffering from low self-esteem to think that is "success." But maybe I'm too harsh on the guy. After all, he gave me his number...

Energy Australia said "unfortuntately we currently do not have such a facility available. However, we are considering a number of solar options to encourage customers to purchase solar panels, one of which may include a finance package."

We were pleased that is wasn't a complete knockback, and it sounded like they were open to the idea. We'll have to see if they take it up.

We were disappointed that they didn't quite live up to their slogan "we're on it." With a slogan like that, we were kind hoping for a reply along the lines of "no wuckers, we're on it." As it was, I got a call from them a few weeks before receiving the letter saying that yes, they were on it, but the final draft of the letter had to go through several sets of eyes and a mountain of red tape before we would get it!

Maybe they should amend it a little. Something like "Gawd, yes, WE"RE ON IT, okay?! Sheesh..."

Origin Energy said it was "an excellent suggestion and something we are currently exploring."

"Rather than use an external finance company we are considering adding the option for soalr systems to be paid off through a customers electricity account. We have an upgrade to our billing system scheduled for next month and once this has occurred, we will instigate a project to facilitate this."

We were pleased that they liked it, and better still, they are well on their way to implementing it.

We were disappointed that we didn't get his phone number. ;)