Why I Resisted Solar for Years

You’d think a self-proclaimed tree-hugger would have gone solar ages ago, right? Well, not me! For years, I resisted the call for solar panels like they were some sort of door-to-door vacuum cleaner salesman. I knew too much—the high commissions, property liens, systems that didn’t really save you money if they didn’t have a battery. I had it all figured out and wasn’t interested.

That is…until I got curious.

The Day the Solar Salesperson Knocked

One sunny afternoon, a solar salesperson came knocking. I figured, what the heck, let’s hear him out. Mistake number one: letting my husband listen in. That opened a whole can of worms! My husband was hooked, especially after reviewing Southern California Edison’s upcoming rate increases. Suddenly, he was all in on this solar thing.

The salesperson was smooth, and before I knew it, we were signing papers “just to get the property reviewed for a system.” No biggie, right? Well, as a data analyst, I did what any curious soul would do the next morning—I read the fine print. Turns out, I wasn’t just signing up for an exploratory look; I had committed to a 25-year lease with a one-week cancellation window! Oh, and they could even dictate where I plant my trees. Nope, wrong answer.

Solar Adventure Begins

After canceling the contract in record time, I thought that would be the end of it. But no, my husband, who usually leaves all things green and eco-friendly to me, was now on a mission. He wanted solar, and now I had to figure out what the heck we were actually getting into. Thus began my two-month deep dive into solar options—systems, companies, contracts, and costs.

Meeting Lee and Bob – My Solar Saviors

During my solar journey, I found two people who became amazing resources. First, there was Lee Miller, a home services broker who works with multiple companies. Lee was able to run quotes on different systems and give me detailed breakdowns. Then there was Bob at Haven Energy, a local solar company in Ontario. Bob knows his stuff, and he walked me through the ins and outs of different systems.

Through them, I learned that the critical components of a solar system are:

  • Size (production) – How much energy your system produces.
  • Battery Type – Is it backup or pass-through?
  • Inverter Type – Converts the energy, and there are different types.
  • Warranty – This can make or break your system’s value.

Oh, and here’s a fun fact: sizing the system is where most solar salespeople play games. They’ll give you an artificially low price, but that often leaves you with a hefty true-up bill from SCE later on. Not fun!

My Tips for Going Solar

After my solar saga, here’s what I wish someone had told me from the start:

  1. A PPA is a Lease
    Seriously. I wasted so much time trying to get someone to just say it. Lee Miller was the first honest person to immediately confirm my suspicions…Power Purchase Agreements are just a new name for a Lease.
  2. Read the Fine Print
    Always read every word of the contract before you sign. It is not “so they can see if you qualify” and a “harmless agreement” could turn into a 25-year lease without you realizing it.
  3. Ask a Lot of Questions
    Solar salespeople love to keep things vague. Get specifics about costs, system size, and warranties.
  4. Shop Around
    Don’t settle for the first offer you get. Quotes for my 1500 sqft house ranged from $20K to $80K, so you’ve got options!
  5. Know Your System
    A battery can make a big difference in your savings, and you don’t want to get stuck with an underpowered system.
  6. Trust the Experts…not the door knockers
    Find knowledgeable people like Lee and Bob who can break things down for you. Not all solar companies are created equal and the door knockers usually only know what the company they are pitching has fed them.
Want to play stump the doorknockers? Get our quickguide to questions they won’t expect!

Ready to Learn More?

Want to dive deeper into the types of solar systems and what’s best for your home? Click here to learn about the different solar options available and how they stack up.