Let’s explain why.
About a decade ago the world’s population decided that the planet was getting too hot. This was propagandized everywhere, as were the solutions. Solar is promoted as one of the solutions to this global warming dilemma. Because of that, the industry saw a huge influx of strangers and new experts. These were bandwagon riders that found a new, and profitable, bandwagon to clamber up on. Being in the industry since 1999, we saw trouble coming, and we were right.
These fast-talking newcomers to the industry said and did whatever it took to get in front of as many homeowners as possible, as fast as possible, and convince them that going solar was their moral responsibility to save the world. This worked on a ton of people. They were glad to overpay as long as they were being good global citizens by doing so. By the time they found out their solar system was not placed properly, installed competently, and did nothing to thwart greenhouse gasses … their check was cashed and their salesman was too busy lying to their next prospect to return calls.
Others were more cautious. They bought a one size fits all, or a good-better-best option, and maybe their system was installed properly, and their consumption was reduced, they now had both a power bill and a solar bill. By the time they realized … their check was cashed and their salesman was too busy lying to their next prospect to return calls.
Still others had panels placed in the shade. Bought the cheapest panels and components possible. Were told their solar would be free … and believed it. Were told the government would pay them to go solar … and believed it. Were told they would be able to sell their surplus energy production back to the power company … and they believed it. Leases … pffffft! There were more lies told, but these seem to be the most popular.
Those chickens are coming home to roost. It is time to pay the band. Many are lying in the beds they made. According to Google, and we have seen it too, several solar companies have gone out of business since 2020, including giants like ADT Solar, Titan Solar, Pink Energy/PowerHome Solar, Suntuity Renewables, and many more. This is a market correction. We’ll not say all of those companies, or the rest, were dishonest, but many were, and they are getting their just deserts. Unfortunately, their customers do not deserve the predicament they are in.
Or do they? Does caveat emptor apply here? Honest solar contractors like us did not advertise truths as zealously as the less than honest contractors spread the lies. We could not find a way to effectively make our truth sound as enticing as their lies. We watched as prospects lined up around the block to buy solar from brand new companies using subcontracted installers. Incompetents doing shoddy work at the bidding of the unscrupulous. We are getting calls to clean up some of these messes and expect many more in the foreseeable future.
The general solar buying public allowed themselves to be disarmed of their common sense, logic, and reason by the relentless save-the-world propaganda. They did no research, and paid no heed to the scores of experts arguing the opposite. (For the record, we are in the industry and still aren’t sure who to believe.) Those were the first wave of victims.
The second wave were the something for nothing/government handout folks who were prepared to sign a chicken as long as the wording on that chicken vaguely alluded to solar being free or paid for by the government. These “solar scam” victims believed that which was too good to be true and we were shocked. Maybe we are too close, being in the industry, thinking that refusing to believe these lies is common sense. If either were true, everyone would have solar by now, right?
Another wave were people that bought solar like one might by a new car, or fridge, or roof. The solar sale is technical, and one should be able to reasonably expect a salesperson to handle the tricky engineering type complications for them. We have been called to diagnose production issues on solar arrays that were installed under shade trees, on north facing roof planes, or were blatantly undersized. The only cure for that is an honest salesperson who will make sure they are providing reciprocal value for the money they charge. Dishonest salespeople abound, and their red flags are waving. It was (is) frustrating to watch prospects ignore them.
Leasing. We just can’t. To us, the whole point of going solar, what’s in it for the homeowner, is freezing their electricity rate at today’s prices. Leases come with rate escalators. So, your power company raises your rates about 5% a year, the company that puts the array they own on the roof you own, raises their rate, what they charge you for electricity, 3.5% a year. Go to www.costtodonothing.com to see how little that benefits a homeowner.
The last group we want to talk about are people who bought from the lowest bidder. Remember a few paragraphs back when we said not all those companies that went out of business were dishonest? Some were good honest contractors who sold their products ethically and did their installs competently. Their mistake was trying to compete in pricing with the liars. That’s a rookie mistake. There wasn’t enough money in their sales to keep the lights on, attract or retain competent employees, pay for the proper insurances, buy from reputable manufacturers, cover all the other crucial expenses required to run a business, and show a profit. They had to close their doors. Now, their orphaned customers are in a bad spot.
If they bought from a reputable contractor, that contractor put top tier components in their system. Some of those components are warrantied for thirty years. In year 5, should their system fail, who do they call? The original installer is out of business. Does the homeowner have all their paperwork so they can find the manufacturer, google them, then climb up on their roof and lift the panels to find serial numbers? This is beyond most homeowner’s capabilities.
Many of them call us. Many of them are upset that we charge for this service. The truth is, we charge extra. We don’t charge extra to punish the customer. The circumstances did that. It is going to be a lot of work to go through another company’s install and try to figure out what went wrong, which manufacturer’s component failed, map their system, then open up the channel for a return. Fixing one of our installs is much easier and so costs less, if anything. All that money that customer saved by buying from the lowest bidder is about to be eaten up.
Good news though, the warranty is still in effect. The manufacturer will pay us to repair or replace any components that fail that are covered. That is assuming you have all your paperwork and can prove you are under warranty. See how dealing with the original installer is preferable?
We offer competitive pricing. We compete with other legitimate solar contractors. If someone can beat our price, there are very few legitimate reasons. Aside from all the lies and deception in the solar industry that might beat our prices, it might be a good and honest contractor who has not yet learned the folly of underbidding. Choosing them might wind up being very expensive later if they can’t stay in business.
The price of piece of mind may be to pay a little extra up front to ensure your solar contractor will be in business later if there is trouble. Thirty years is a long time. It occurs to me to point out that solar systems should, and do, last much longer than thirty years, but the manufacturer warranties don’t. So, caveat emptor people. We are waiting by the phone.
Stay tuned. Next, we will cover a different kind of peace of mind. How secure are you about the reliability of the grid? How many days are you, and your family, willing to involuntarily camp? How long will you, or your loved one’s medication last if not refrigerated. How hot does it get in your home without air conditioning. Laundry? Spoiled food? Let’s talk batteries.
