When it comes to home solar contractors, Brett Perkins has seen more bad than good.
Perkins, general manager of Tricounty Rural Electric Cooperative in Malinta, has counseled countless members considering home solar, including running calculations that inject a dose of northern Ohio reality into sunny-sky results promised by some prospective vendors.
“A lot of the solar companies tell members they’ll no longer have an electric bill, but that’s not the truth,” he says. “Our minimum monthly charge doesn’t go away when someone adds solar panels. And I have a hard time with the numbers many solar companies come up with. I have yet to see a residential case where solar will really save them money.”
It's not that a solar company is outright lying (though some do). A salesperson may well be realistic about the production capabilities of the solar panels they’re selling, but simply not have the local knowledge to account for other things like geographic factors or the actual rates the co-op charges and pays for energy. “I’m a numbers guy and I’ve looked at it over and over,” Perkins says. “I know if someone is telling you you’ll get your money back in five to eight years, that’s likely false.”
Here are steps members can take — before signing a contract — to avoid some of the worst pitfalls:
- Research solar companies, checking references from customers and the Better Business Bureau (Perkins noted one company he checked had 2,000 to 3,000 complaints per year filed with the BBB). Talk to multiple companies and get several quotes.
- Talk to your co-op to verify rules and rates; learn whether the co-op offers net billing or net metering for home solar panels — and know what that difference means.
- Use the rates to calculate realistic costs and savings. Include added costs like interest paid (if you’re borrowing money) or interest lost (if you’re taking money out of an interest-bearing account) and savings from tax credits or rebates.
- Discuss your plan with your insurance company. Some may charge extra or even cancel a policy when panels are installed.
- Finally, before signing any contracts, consider how long a company has been in business and think about how long they’ll likely be around to provide warranty coverage. A company going out of business can leave consumers paying for years or decades for panels that might not even work.
“There are good companies out there,” Perkins says. “Many people want to do solar for the sake of their kids and grandkids. I’m not against it, but It’s a huge investment, so do your homework, do your research, talk to several people, and ask the questions so you won’t be sold a bill of goods.”
Is home solar right for you?
Answer the questions on the Is home solar right for you? (PDF) to see if it's a good option.
From the June 2025 issue of Ohio Cooperative Living.