Thursday, March 28, 2024

Who Owns Power Home Solar

How Much Will I Save On My Energy Bill

One Year Solar Update! – Is Do it Yourself Solar worth it?

The amount of solar savings you will see on your utility bill each month depends on a variety of factors, including solar system size, energy use, roof exposure, and local electricity costs.

System size/energy use: Installing a larger solar PV system that offsets a major portion of your electricity usage will result in higher savings on your electric bill than installing a smaller system that only offsets a minor portion of your electric bill because less power will be pulled from the grid.

Roof exposure: If you live in a sunny area, your solar panels will produce more energy than they would if you lived in a shady or cloudy area. More sun means more savings on your energy bill.

Local utility rates: If you live in a state with steep electricity rates, youll see higher dollar savings on your bills than you would if you lived in a state with lower electricity prices.

The easiest way to figure out exactly how much you can expect to save on your electricity bill each month is to obtain quotes from the solar companies that you are interested in doing business with.

Where The Rickenbaugh Suit Stands Today

After the Rickenbaughs sued Powerhome, Waller’s company filed a motion to take the case to arbitration. Powerhome has language in its standard contract that says disputes will be resolved through arbitration in other words, not in a public court.

Nearly two years later, the case is essentially at a standstill, caught up in legal tedium, Caudill said. Now in front of the North Carolina Supreme Court is the question of who gets to decide whether arbitration can take place on a class basis and not just between the Rickenbaughs and Powerhome.

“Pretty much since the time that we filed until now we’ve been mired in procedural hell,” Caudill said. “Powerhome just wants this thing to sit still because they don’t want to deal with the substantive merits of the case.”

Which Are The Best Solar Providers Near Me

Consumers should look for a solar company with a solid track record, financial stability, high quality equipment, great warranties, a good reputation, and positive reviews. We’ve ranked and reviewed hundreds of solar power companies from across the United States and gathered thousands of solar reviews from consumers to help you find the best solar companies in your area. We recommend obtaining solar quotes from a variety of companies in order to find the right rooftop solar contractor for your needs.

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Calculating Solar Power Costs

Once the above costs and benefits are determined, a solar system can theoretically be evaluated using the discounted cash flow method. Outflows at the beginning of the project would consist of installation costs , and inflows would arrive later in the form of offset electricity costs .

Rather than using DCF, the viability of solar power is usually evaluated by calculating the levelized cost of electricity , then comparing it to the cost of electricity charged by the local utility. The LCOE for household solar will typically be calculated as cost/kilowatt-hour – the same format commonly used on electricity bills. To approximate the LCOE, one can use the following equation:

LCOE = Net Present Value of the Lifetime Cost of Ownership / Lifetime Energy Output

The useful life of a PV solar module is generally assumed to be 25-40 years. The cost of ownership includes the maintenance costs, which must be discounted to find the NPV. The LCOE can then be compared to the cost of electricity from a utility remember, the relevant price is that which occurs during times at or near peak PV solar production.

What Powerhome Customers Who Feel Wronged Are Doing

What Are the Types of Solar Panels to Use at Home?

On top of writing negative reviews and speaking with the media, dissatisfied Powerhome customers are gathering online.

The reporter in North Carolina interviewed Jordan Kleinsmith, who runs phslawsuit.com, a website with a primary goal of help victims pursue their own individual legal action and provide ongoing updates on how to best do so in their local area. Kleinsmith also lists at least three separate in which people share their bad experiences with the company.

The customers in these groups face an uphill battle, they say, because the contracts they signed with Powerhome contained clauses that required arbitration rather than allowing for traditional remedies like lawsuits in state and federal courts. This is where participation in groups like those described above come into play.

In a post entitled, The Evolution of This Sites Mission, Kleinsmith writes that his initial intention was to gather enough people who felt wronged by Powerhome and start a class action lawsuit. But fter doing extensive research it didn’t seem like the best path forward, and that several lawyers have been quite confident that can be defeated relatively easily in bringing state lawsuits.

We reached out to Mr. Kleinsmith to ask some questions about his experience with Powerhome Solar. In his comments, he described being sold a package of energy-saving upgrades that included a home solar system, as well as being promised a 70-90% reduction in electricity bills.

Read Also: What’s Inside Solar Panels

Is My Roof Suitable For Installing Solar Panels

There are a number of factors that determine how suitable your roof is for solar panels, including:

  • The size of your roof
  • The direction your roof faces
  • The pitch of your roof
  • How much of your roof is shaded

When trying to determine if solar panels are worth it for you, consider the size, direction, pitch, and the amount of shading your roof has. Large, unshaded, southern-facing roofs are the most ideal for solar production.

How Does Solar Energy Work

The sun releases photons. When sunlight hits the photovoltaic cells of a solar panel, those photons knock loose electrons from atoms. The electrons flow through a circuit via a conductor to generate electricity. The PV modules then produce a direct current , which is converted into alternating current by an inverter.

The average solar panel produces from 250 to 400 watts.

The most practical and common way to capture solar energy for residential use today is through solar panels. Solar panels are made up of a collection of photovoltaic cells, commonly referred to as PV cells. Air conditioners, water heaters and anything else that operates on gas or electricity can run on power generated by solar panels.

Solar production is measured in watts, kilowatts and kilowatt-hours . The average solar panel ranges from 250 to 400 watts and under proper conditions generates about 1 kWh per day.

For example, imagine you have five 300-watt solar panels and get four hours of peak sun hours each day. Multiply each panel’s wattage by peak sunlight hours, which gives you a production of 1,200 watt-hours per panel. Then divide by 1,000 to convert to kilowatt-hours per panel, which is 1.2 kWh. Multiply by the number of panels you have to estimate the total amount of energy your solar array can produce per day, which is 6 kWh.

Also Check: How To Charge Your Electric Car With Solar Panels

Reduce Your Electric Bill

Installing solar for your home could potentially reduce your electric bill by allowing you to source your own energy directly from the sun. Youre essentially creating your own power. Solar could lower the amount of power you purchase from utility companies and help you save thousands in electrical costs over the lifespan of your panel array.

Customers Say Theyre Being Burned By Some Solar Companies

How can homes share solar power? | Electricity

WILMINGTON, N.C. – When Allison Bundy heard the pitch from a salesman for a new solar panel system at her home she was sold. It sounded great, a chance to become energy independent and save money.

After listening to the sales spiel you think, Im gonna own my power one day, you know, when Im starting to live in my golden years, Im not going to have a power bill, you know, thats gonna be really great, she said.

Bundy said the salesman for Powerhome Solar assured her she could reduce monthly energy bills by almost 100%, and provide a self-sustaining power source for power outages.

After her consultation, she agreed to sign a contract and had 16 solar panels installed in an array in her backyard.

The price?

More than $50,000 financed over a 25 year period, to her it was an investment for the future and thought she would be saving money in both the short-term and the long-run.

It didnt take long for her to realize that the things she was told were too good to be true.

Day two into it I was already calling saying, hey, you know, Im looking at the app and its not, by any means coming close to powering my home, I think somebody needs to come out and check it, she said.

The concept of banking power is explained as a way to create so much power on sunny days that you essentially sell it back to the power company. Then, on a cloudy day or in the winter when the system does not produce as much, you can rely on that excess energy to offset the costs.

That has not happened.

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What Maintenance Is Required For Solar Panels

There is very little maintenance required for solar panels. It is recommended that you clean your solar panels once or twice a year to avoid dirt and buildup. However, this might not be necessary if your area gets regular rainfall or if your roof is steep, which allows debris to easily fall off.

It is worth checking to see that all junction boxes are sealed and watertight once every five years.

Because there is almost no maintenance required, you dont need to worry about additional maintenance costs.

How Much Do Residential Solar Panels Cost For An Average 2000 Square Foot Home

Solar panel cost is often measured as the cost per watt of solar. This makes it easy to compare the relative value of solar systems of different sizes in terms of the watts of power they can produce.

Our data shows that the average cost of a residential solar system in 2021 is $2.85 per watt, before the federal tax credit. At that price, a typical 7 kilowatt home solar system would cost $19,950. The cost would fall to $14,763 after claiming the 26% solar tax credit.

The cost of residential solar panels has dropped dramatically over time. In fact, it has fallen over 70% in the past decade.

In 2019 alone, the cost of solar dropped by 5%.

Also Check: What Is The Best Solar Panel To Buy

Enticing Consumers With A Generous Federal Tax Credit

Buying home solar panels comes with a big perk: You can get 26% of the cost of the system back through a federal tax credit.

The catch is that you have to have enough taxable income.

Powerhome, which sells panels using third-party loans and for cash, makes it clear in its contract and some internal sales guidelines we reviewed that there’s no guarantee that a customer will receive the credit.

But some reps have been encouraged to tout the tax incentive when selling systems to homeowners even if they know those customers are unlikely to get the credit, according to one current and two former sales employees and an internal email exchange we reviewed.

Sales reps say they’re also advised by managers or other more-senior staff to close the deal while they’re in the home. In doing so, customers, who may be unable to claim the entire credit have little time to consult a tax professional, they said.

“They’re hoping that you close the deal within an hour,” a former sales rep in Pennsylvania said. “There’s no possible way someone’s going to ever be able to contact their CPA within an hour to confirm they’ll qualify for the federal tax credit.”

It’s “a genius con,” he said.

Powerhome told Business Insider that reps have “no way of knowing if a customer qualifies for a tax credit, which the customer is required to acknowledge in writing.”

Talk To A Solar Installer

Tips on Building Your Own Solar Panel

To get the full story of how your roof may or may not work with solar, you might want to check into getting an assessment with a solar installer in your area. These professionals can look at certain features of your home to tell you how solar will work with your roof. You can do independent research to find them, but an easy way to access them is through home goods stores, like Home Depot’s solar panel installation page.

The solar installer might look at the angle of your roof to see if it’s facing a direction that will get enough sunlight. If you’re open to trimming trees to increase the light, the solar installer may be able to help you figure out how to trim them to best help solar panels work. They might determine other factors like the material your roof is made out of, the size of your roof or ask about the age of your roof. The installer may tell you about any changes you have to make to your roof first, for instance if your roof is on the older side and might not bear the weight of the paneling. In that case, you’d likely need a new roof.

Bring your home up to speed with the latest on automation, security, utilities, networking and more.

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Powerhome Solar Changes Name To Pink Energy

By Kelly Pickerel | April 22, 2022

North Carolina-based Powerhome Solar officially changes its name to Pink Energy today. The residential solar provider has been in business for eight years and works in 15 states: Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

With the name change, Pink Energy will expand its workmanship warranty to 10 years and launch a digital customer portal that will provide real-time updates to project timelines.

As we continue on a path of extreme growth, the company is evolving to offer products and services that go beyond solar. Our new Pink Energy brand better reflects our commitment to offering best-in-class renewable energy solutions that have a positive impact on our environment. Weve been exploring the possibility of a rebrand for years, said a Powerhome spokesperson in an email to Solar Power World.

After founding in 2014, Powerhome quickly expanded into new states, often first by inking partnerships with local professional sport teams and establishing marketing efforts around the teams. Some of its marketing efforts have been as being misleading, and local media have reported their own investigations into the complaints.

About The Author

Kelly Pickerel

Kelly Pickerel has over a decade of experience reporting on the U.S. solar industry and is currently editor in chief of Solar Power World.

Powerhome Solar Announces Expansion Into Savannah Georgia

Fast-Growing Solar Company Expands Its Footprint to Georgia’s Coast

SAVANNAH, Ga., March 30, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — POWERHOME SOLAR, one of the nation’s fastest-growing energy efficiency and solar energy companies, will be expanding in the Peach State with a sales office opening in Savannah, Georgia.

“We are excited to be opening a new office in historic Savannah,” POWERHOME SOLAR CEO Jayson Waller said. “This important port city has long been a cultural hub of influence in the southeast and we forecast our move there will convince more residents and businesses in the surrounding area go solar.”

The company expects to open the new office within the next few weeks. Like the Marietta and Alpharetta POWERHOME SOLAR locations, job seekers can expect online postings for available roles such as sales representatives, office administrators, sales support and more as the office opening proceeds. Those seeking a position with POWERHOME SOLAR can inquire in our office, located at 349 Mall Boulevard, Suite 200, visit , or send an email to .

Georgians have the tenth-highest average electric bill in the U.S., per 2020 figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, giving consumers in the state good reason to consider adding solar.

Solar panels can be financed , and once the financing ends, so does your payment for solar, allowing customers to be more in control of their energy consumption and “own their power.”

About POWERHOME SOLAR

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What Kind Of Maintenance Do Solar Panels Require

Generally, solar panels require little to no maintenance on your part. Unless you live in an area that is particularly smoggy or dusty, proactive panel cleaning isnt really necessary. Having to brush snow off your panels shouldnt be an issue either, as snow will quickly melt or fall off of panels that are mounted at an angle higher than 15 degrees.

Do I Need To Repair My Roof Before Installing Solar Panels

Solar Panels For Home – 9 Months Later Review

If youre thinking about going solar, consider the age, condition, and cost of replacing your current roof. It doesnt hurt to have a professional take a look at it as well. If you find that your roof does need to be repaired or replaced, its best to do so before the solar installation process begins so that you wont have to pay to have the panels removed and reinstalled in order to fix your roof a few years down the road. Be sure to talk to your chosen solar company about it beforehand, as many solar panel installers have partnered with roofing contractors and may be able to land you a discount.

Read Also: What Is The Best Solar Stock To Buy

‘we Don’t Compete With Other Companies’

Plus, Powerhome’s products aren’t cheap, which only makes sales harder. In fact, in some cases, they cost double the industry average.

An internal Powerhome pricing sheet we reviewed showed that for arrays with anywhere from 13 to 21 panels, the cost per watt is more than $6 . The industry average is just shy of $3 a watt, according to Bryan White, a solar analyst at Wood Mackenzie.

Then there are Powerhome’s batteries, made by Generac, which reps are required to add to most configurations. Powerhome customers pay $20,000 for the smallest battery. According to Generac, the suggested retail cost is about half that.

All together, Powerhome customers could easily end up paying $40,000 or more for solar and storage, the pricing sheet suggests.

With prices so high, reps say they have one shot with a customer. If the customer shops around, they won’t win their business.

“We don’t compete with other companies,” a current employee said. “If a customer is shopping between companies, they’re never talking to us again, because once they see another company’s prices, they’re going to know we’re overpriced.”

In response to questions about its prices, Powerhome said it has a unique full-service energy-efficiency offering and installs its systems faster than the industry average.

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