Berkeley, CA, & Austin, TX, October 6, 2008 - Helio Micro Utility, (Helio mU) the green power pioneer selling solar energy without the upfront cost of panels, and Verde Energy, a trusted source for competing offers from the nation's largest network of experienced renewable energy professionals, today introduced a new strategic partnership to provide immediate financing for commercial projects in the United States through the Verde Pro network of solar power installation partners.

The agreement paves the way for Verde Energy to introduce the Helio mU Green Energy Plan™ for commercial and residential systems to its network of solar photovoltaic installation partners called Verde Pros.

For commercial facilities, the agreement will utilize the Helio Green Energy Community Investment Fund™, which was created with the backing of Citi Community Capital to initially support the installation of up to four megawatts of solar power on qualifying commercial and public sector facilities throughout the U.S.

For the residential market, the agreement will make it possible for Verde Pros to offer the Helio Green Energy Plan to homeowners to generate green electricity with no upfront cost for panels.

“We are pleased to work with Verde Energy, the top photovoltaic lead-generation engine for both commercial and residential solar across the U.S.,” said Mo Rousso, President and CEO of Helio mU. “This new agreement reflects our shared vision of increased green energy production in America starting right now.”

“The ability to finance solar energy investments helps eliminate the largest barrier to widespread solar adoption in the U.S., and we feel Helio mU’s innovative financing approaches are just the answer for our customers,” said Rob Powell, Chief Executive for Verde Energy. “This partnership completes our circle to offer customers the ability to understand solar technologies, to find the right installation partner, to secure competitive quotes from experienced professionals and now to finance their solar investments.”

For more information:

Helio Micro Utility (Helio mU)
Helio mU is the green power pioneer, selling solar energy without the upfront cost of panels. The Company provides solar electricity to commercial, residential and not-for-profit customers with little or no initial capital outlay through its Green Energy Plan TM. The Helio Green Energy Plan guarantees customers receive cost-effective and predictable energy pricing and maximum system performance over the life of the agreement. Helio mU is headquartered in Berkeley, CA. For more information please visit http://www.heliomu.com.

Verde Energy, Inc.
Verde Energy helps homeowners, commercial clients and government agencies reduce their energy costs and impact on the environment by providing valuable resources to evaluate, plan, and implement renewable energy programs. We provide customers with a trusted source of information and consultation, and with clear choices, by making available competing offers on solar electric, solar thermal, wind power and geothermal systems from the nation’s largest network of experienced local professionals. For more information please visit us at http://www.verdeenergy.com/

Citi Community Capital
The community development division of Citi was created to fulfill the diverse community development lending and investment activity in one distinct business unit. The business, now called Citi Community Capital (CCC), was launched in 2000. In 2007, CCC merged with the Affordable Housing unit of the Municipal Securities Division which made available an even wider array of financial products that can be structured to fit our clients’ objectives.

CCC helps community development financial institutions, real estate developers, national intermediaries and non-profit organizations achieve their goals through a broad, integrated platform of debt and equity offerings. Within CCC is a dedicated investment team that specializes in renewable energy, New Markets, and other community development oriented investing. For more information, please visit http://www.citigroup.com/citi/press/2008/080814b.htm or contact Danielle Romero-Apsilos at 212-816-2264.

The statements made in this press release, which are not historical facts, contain certain forward-looking statements to which this release pertains. The actual results of the specific items described in this release, and the company's operations generally, may differ materially from what is projected in such forward-looking statements. Although such statements are based upon the best judgments of the company, significant deviations in magnitude, timing and other factors may result from business risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, the companies’ dependence on third parties, market conditions, technical factors and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the companies mentioned in this release.