“There are a lot of great solar installers in the industry who provide reliable products to build affordable arrays with quality and skill. However, from time to time, we hear reports of the ‘other guys’ – the companies that are in it to make a quick buck and move on to the next sale.”
TXSES Executive Director Patrice “Pete” Parsons co-authored the Op-Ed, “Protecting Yourself from the ‘Other Guys’“ on what to watch out for when getting solar panels installed in Solar Today magazine with Roger Horowitz (Solar United Neighbors) and Rich Strömberg (ASES Photovoltaics Division).
Warranty service or Operations & Maintenance? These may be lacking or nonexistent.
Solar arrays that miss the energy production estimates by a significant margin? These can leave well-intentioned array owners with a bad experience.
While this is not the norm, we want to caution would-be solar-array owners and provide pathways to prevent poor customer satisfaction.
Some recent anecdotes about poorly installed solar that we are personally aware of include the following:
1) A woman purchased a home with a preexisting leased solar array that was installed on an older roof. The original installer should have advised the prior homeowner to get a new roof before installing an array that would undoubtedly require removal and reinstallation before the end of the 25-year PV module warranty period.
That installer went out of business, but a new company bought the lease and now wanted to charge the woman a lot of money to remove the array for the roofers to do their work and then reinstall the system. They quoted her a price for the work equal to buying a brand-new solar array.
Since the lease company owned the array, they wouldn’t let another installer do the work at a lower cost. The homeowner was also offered a buyout of her remaining lease at a price much higher than the current value of her PV system.
2) A company installed solar panels on any available roof space instead of focusing on unshaded roof space that would have a good power-production factor.
3) A commercial solar array was mounted horizontally (instead of at an angle) on a flat roof in Florida where rainwater was allowed to pool on the modules and seep behind the front-side glass, causing rippling of the ethylene vinyl acetate encapsulant film and allowing algae to grow between the glass and the silicon cells.
Further, the inverters were mounted outside, which resulted in the ventilation fans pulling in corrosive, salty sea air into the sensitive internal electronics. This system stopped working and the customers did not have a good solar experience.
4) A commercial array in Colorado had a building owner who had a third-party power purchase agreement and was billed regularly for the supposed solar production despite the system not producing.
The installer had not worked to repair the offline inverters for more than a year, but was providing a fraudulent bill to the building owner, who was double-paying for electricity.
5) A large, extremely reputable national solar company worked with a company that was providing it sales leads in the Houston area. After the large company had installed a system based on one of these leads, the customer didn’t understand why her bill was not zero.
She had been promised by the salesperson that her solar array would cover her entire electric bill. She didn’t have a clear understanding of the contract and certainly didn’t understand the credit that would be paid to her.
When the solar company heard about all the promises that had been made on their behalf, they went back and repaid her the entire amount of the system, which was fortunate for her in this case, but there are plenty of examples of these poor practices happening across Texas.
While several of these anecdotes relate to leased arrays, this is not to say that all leased arrays should be avoided. In many larger commercial arrays, any system larger than what is allowed for net metering (typically larger than 25 kW) is frequently owned by a solar company that operates and maintains the system and sells the power produced to the building owner at a rate less than the utility retail rate.
Residential lease arrays might be an attractive option for homeowners who don’t want to buy or finance their own systems. The primary considerations for leased arrays are 1) to be cognizant that the lease is an encumbrance should the homeowner wish to sell their home before the end of the lease period and 2) to seek transparency about the energy produced and system health/performance.
What are the costs to buy out the lease early? Are there penalties to an installer if the system underperforms? What are the costs and logistics if the array needs to be removed for roof repairs? These factors might cause a prospective solar array owner to revisit a home equity loan or even forego a solar array until a later date.
Inspired by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, lots of folks are interested in installing solar all over the country. Along with reputable solar companies, there are plenty of solar scams and misleading solar advertisements out there, particularly on social media. Here are several pathways a prospective solar-array owner can follow to protect their interests and ensure the best possible option based on their particular needs.
1) You should beware of ads and salespeople claiming free systems or a time-limited program that you need to sign up for immediately.
2) Some companies are counting on you not doing your research and selling expensive systems or systems without warranties. Do you really need an array this large? Is a battery/energy storage system actually needed if the local utility doesn’t have time-of-use rate structures?
Time-of-use rates are used when an electric utility charges a higher per-kWh rate at times each week when energy demand is high and lower rates when demand is low.
A battery energy storage system can help the array owner draw excess power from the battery rather than from the grid during high-usage-rate periods. The system can also push excess power back onto the grid during high-usage-rate periods and use nighttime power from the grid to recharge the battery when usage rates are low.
2) Solar United Neighbors (SUN) has a National Solar Help Desk (https://www.solarunitedneighbors.org/helpdesk), which provides free support for people looking to go solar. SUN is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that can help you find local installers and can review solar proposals and contracts free of charge. We and SUN always recommend getting three solar proposals and making sure to check the warranties on the systems to make sure that the installer and manufacturers have a long-term plan to help you if your system isn’t working.
3) In general, we recommend using the monitoring app that comes with your solar systems to track performance. We also advise having a solar professional take a look at your system in person every five years.
4) When it comes to choosing an installer, make sure to read every online review that you can find and call or meet multiple local references from the solar installer. A lack of local references and lack of online reviews is generally a red flag when it comes to solar companies. Scrutinize these online reviews to confirm their legitimacy.
5) Talk with your neighbors who have solar arrays.
6) Lastly, join your local chapter of the American Solar Energy Society (www.ases.org) to network with system owners who can provide advice and share their knowledge.
Best of luck in finding the right solar array for your needs. We love our systems and want the same for you.
About the Authors
Roger Horowitz is the director of Go Solar Programs at Solar United Neighbors, where he combines his passion for community organizing with his love of solar energy. He loves supporting families as they go solar and is especially interested in equitable financing.
Patrice “Pete” Parsons is a seasoned strategist with more than two decades of experience. She is the executive director of the Texas Solar Energy Society, where she creates programs to educate and inspire every Texan to adopt solar energy as part of an equitable 100%-clean energy future. She is a member of the American Solar Energy Society (ASES).
Rich Strömberg is the vice chair of the ASES Photovoltaics Division. He is a doctoral student focusing on the reuse of solar photovoltaic systems for social and ecological benefit. He is a co-founder and the director of Equitable Solar Solutions.™
Photo Credit: Laksh Muchhal, U.S. Department of Energy, Flickr
CONTACT INFORMATION Texas Solar Energy Society (TXSES) Patrice ‘Pete’ Parsons 210.722.7270
[AUSTIN, Texas, March 28, 2024] The Texas Solar Energy Society (TXSES) is pleased to announce the addition of Tamara Kowalski as its new Director of Communications.
Tamara joins TXSES with more 15 years of experience working with environmental nonprofits—much of which has been in communications. Before TXSES, Tamara worked as communications and program manager at another membership-based EarthShare Texas member organization, State of Texas Alliance for Recycling (STAR).
“As someone who is passionate about solar energy, with solar panels on my home, my experience in communications and outreach, writing and editing, working on grants, and collaborating with regional chapters will make me a valuable asset to TXSES,” said Tamara.
“We are thrilled to have Tamara join the TXSES team,” said Executive Director Pete Parsons.“ “Her skill and experience with non-profits and personal commitment to solar energy will enhance our operations, help meet our goals for growth and customer satisfaction and provide our customers with the exemplary service they have come to expect from TXSES.”
Tamara will replace Jane Pulaski who has been TXSES’ communications director since 2020.
About TXSES: A membership-based non-profit 501(c)(3) organization for nearly 40 years, TXSES’s unique niche is exemplified in our well-established local chapters in Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Houston and San Antonio. Having boots on the ground in these major metropolitan cities, which represent nearly a quarter of Texas’s 30 million+ citizens, enables our gifted, dedicated members to disseminate fact-based, relevant solar information to all Texans. www.txses.org
by Patrice ‘Pete’ Parsons, TXSES Executive Director
According to a recent Forbes article, nearly 90% Of Americans couldn’t be more ecstatic about their rooftop solar system. In fact, some 83% of those homeowners are raving to friends and family about how happy they are. They installed them for a variety of reasons: energy independence (with batteries); cost savings; environmental concerns. You might even know some of these people. You might even be one of them.
But for those who don’t or who might be in the market for rooftop solar, it’s caveat emptor (buyer beware). The onus is on YOU, the consumer, to do due diligence before you buy. The decreasing costs of solar panels have made them increasingly affordable.
And because the decreasing cost of solar panels is making them more affordable, solar scams are becoming more prevalent nationally and here at home. Currently, the Texas distributed solar industry is experiencing consumer fraud. There have been many reports of uninformed consumers conned into buying systems they can’t afford, promised pie-in-the-sky results: no electric bills! Free electricity! The adage if it’s too good to be true comes to mind, pay attention. It probably is.
As TXSES is the state’s only non-profit that promotes distributed solar, we require all TXSES business members to sign a code of conduct and ethical requirements. We believe this practice creates an environment with values that reflect honest, ethical business principles and rules of behavior that are consistent with TXSES organizationally, contributing to the welfare of all our stakeholders, and respecting the rights of all constituents affected by our work.
We’re very much aware of nefarious practices by some solar salespeople. You can trust TXSES business members to be professional and install all equipment safely and in compliance with all applicable rules, laws and regulations. We’ve got resources for consumers who are interested in going solar on the TXSES website. And check out the the SEIA Instagram post below for more timely information about consumer confidence when shopping for solar.
I’ve also been meeting with stakeholders and other statewide nonprofits to address this situation and we’re committed to developing solutions that will guarantee consumer confidence in solar rooftop installations.
If you’re interested in becoming a TXSES business member, contact Steven Ùgalde at sugalde@txses.org
On a personal note, I want to bid a heartfelt adieu to a great friend and colleague, Jane Pulaski, who has decided to retire…again. She’s been TXSES’ Director of Communications since I became Executive Director of TXSES in 2020. In that time, she’s worked tirelessly to help me build upon Lucy Stolzenberg’s legacy by writing grants, updating the website, developing newsletters and anything else I needed help with. In the beginning, it was just the two of us. When I say I could not have done my job without her, I mean it. We woke up each day and proceeded to set our hair on fire with all the work we wanted to accomplish. I can speak for the rest of the team when I say we’ll miss her. Thanks for everything, JP.
As a benefit of being a TXSES Platinum Business Member, we highlight the member’s company in our newsletter. For the March newsletter, we sat down with Kevin Chavez, operations officer/manager of Holt Renewables, an engineering, procurement and construction firm for commercial solar projects nationwide. Here’s our conversation.
Steven Ugalde: Hi Kevin. Thanks for carving out time to talk about Holt Renewables. Tell us about Holt Renewables came to be; how long has it been around?
Kevin Chavez: Absolutely. Our journey began over 12 years ago when Holt Renewables emerged through an acquisition. Before that, we operated under the name PCI Solar, maintaining the same team, business methodology, and services. About four years ago, Holt Caterpillar, a previous customer, recognized the potential to diversify its offerings and ultimately acquired us. Peter and Corinna Holt, the brains behind Holt Caterpillar, had a forward-thinking approach towards energy, especially electrification and renewables. Their vision aligned perfectly with ours, leading to the acquisition.
Steven Ugalde: And timely. Holt is Houston-based?
Kevin Chavez: Actually, we’re located in Austin. While Holt Renewables is based in Austin, Holt Caterpillar’s headquarters are in San Antonio, but we operate around 30 different locations. There are about 3,500 of us Holt Renewables employees. Within the renewables group, there are 28 departments including construction, engineering, procurement, estimating, sales and development, back-office operations, and safety.
Steven Ugalde: Could you share a standout moment or project that you found particularly fulfilling?
Kevin Chavez: While every project has its unique qualities, what truly stands out for us is the ability to effectively serve our customers nationwide. We specialize in the Middle Market C segment, typically ranging from 500 kW to 30 megawatts. Our portfolio includes diverse applications such as carports, roof mounts, ground mounts and energy storage. Deploying energy storage, especially in the evolving landscape of renewable energy, has been particularly rewarding for us.
Steven Ugalde: What drives Holt Renewables’ approach to future projects?
Kevin Chavez: Our primary focus is alignment with our customers’ needs and goals. Whether it’s sustainability, economics or marketing, we strive to tailor each project accordingly. We provide comprehensive consultation and feasibility studies to ensure that every aspect aligns with our clients’ objectives.
Steven Ugalde: How do you evaluate the success of a project?
Kevin Chavez: Safety is paramount for us, ensuring no incidents occur during project execution. Additionally, success is measured by tangible outcomes and client satisfaction. We conduct thorough surveys post-project completion, and our track record speaks for itself—no negative feedback so far.
Steven Ugalde: What inspired you to pursue a career in solar and renewable energy?
Kevin Chavez: My background in finance led me to understand the potential of renewable energy investments. However, I yearned for a more hands-on role where I could witness more results. Joining PCI Solar as part of the development team allowed me to see projects come to life from concept to construction. The subsequent acquisition by Holt Renewables further solidified my commitment to this industry.
Steven Ugalde: Lastly, what has surprised you the most in your experience within this industry?
Kevin Chavez: One of the most surprising aspects has been the continued momentum and innovation within the industry, despite regulatory challenges. There’s a growing recognition of the need for renewable energy solutions, and we’re witnessing increased investment and research to address this demand. While there are hurdles to overcome, I’m optimistic about the industry’s trajectory.
Steven Ugalde: Thank you for sharing your insights, Kevin. And thanks for being a TXSES Platinum Business Member.
Kevin Chavez: My pleasure. Thank you for having me.
The Solar Cowboys 205A Executive Way Desoto, Texas 75115 469.399.0009 TECL# 36304
Job Description: The purpose of this position is to provide support to The Solar Cowboys by handling any customer-facing interactions as well as represent our core values to anyone outside the organization. This position will require interfacing with the customers, handling inbound/outbound communications, and working with the sales and operations teams to ensure the needs of the customers are met in a timely manner. You will need to answer questions, handle complaints and provide support for customers with attention to detail.
Responsibilities:
● Complete welcome calls and project completion calls
● Schedule site surveys, installations, follow-up appointments, and inspections
● Handle any customer service calls with existing customers
● Create tickets for service calls if needed
● Diffuse any high-stress situations with customers
● Answer any inbound calls and notate them appropriately Skills:
● Proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Suite
● Keen attention to detail and the ability to spot errors and inconsistencies
● Must have the ability to multitask, handle interruptions & prioritize workloads
● Must have strong verbal and written communication skills
● Must be able to take direction and work independently
● Willingness to learn; adapt and accept increased responsibility
● Must be responsible, self-motivated, and able to work effectively in a team setting
● The ability to embrace corporate values, understands the company mission, and execute daily tasks to reach larger goals
Contact Casey Sprunck, Operations Manager, The Solar Cowboys, 469.399.0009
