PLEASE WAIT before signing up for a new solar system.
It looks like Sunnova will be going bankrupt and I “plan” on a public statement with lots of info for regulators, legislators and attorneys (private and AGs) next week. I’m hoping to find more ethical companies, insurance, etc.
In the meantime, “practice” analyzing the PROPOSED contract and do your RESEARCH.
Request a WRITTEN quote and then CALCULATE, as I did for my client:
We have the “amended” production because Sunnova is using a Production Schedule with LOWER values than the contract.
The next calculation is to compare the cost of solar to your CURRENT electric costs per kWh and then estimate what will happen to both electric rates and your usage. Some families might have their kids move out in a few years, lower usage significantly and if you don’t have net metering and the utility paying you for excess production, it might not be worth your while.
For example, if you pay 34 cents to utilities (as my client’s current minimum for TOU) and they reimburse 17 cents because the system was down and/or not properly designed, your cost goes up a lot!
In my area, it’s been 10 cents / kWh since 2000, but rates are finally scheduled to increase.
There are many issues to consider, including but not limited to companies going out of business, the underperformance and monitoring guarantee, warranties, and most of all, the inability to sue them due to mandatory arbitration clauses and lack of regulatory assistance.
Never forget that you’re likely dealing with LYING CROOKS.
Solar is great, we just need to get rid of companies like Sunnova and ensure that every town has several certified installers so you can have your system repaired when the big corporations go bankrupt.
I’m looking for experts who can PRICE system components so we can establish the real value of a typical system.
