Homeowners say this clean energy industry has dirty secret
Homeowners say this clean energy industry has dirty secret WCVB Boston
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Massachusetts Homeowners Face Challenges with Solar Panel Companies
Installing solar panels is an enticing option for homeowners in Massachusetts. It offers the opportunity to reduce energy bills, contribute to environmental sustainability, and receive rebates. However, some homeowners have discovered a concerning issue within the clean energy industry: the difficulty in resolving technical problems related to solar panel systems. Several Massachusetts homeowners have shared their experiences, highlighting the need to shed light on this issue.
Homeowners Left in the Dark
Various homeowners interviewed for this report have encountered different issues with their solar panel systems, but they all share a common experience of being left without resolution for months or even years. These unresolved problems have significantly impacted their energy production and costs. It is crucial to address these challenges and emphasize the importance of finding sustainable solutions.
Tom Lucas: A Frustrating Experience
Tom Lucas, a homeowner from Woburn, installed solar panels on his roof in 2018. Initially, the system generated more electricity than he consumed. However, in 2022, four panels (20% of his system) stopped producing power, resulting in significant financial losses. Despite having a 25-year warranty from the installer, Invaleon Solar Technologies, Lucas has been unable to get the problem resolved. He believes that solar companies prioritize sales over customer service, which has left him feeling neglected and frustrated.
Steve Pilotte: A Continuous Struggle
Steve Pilotte, an early adopter of solar panels in Dedham, added panels to his home in 2009 through a power purchase lease agreement. Over the years, his lease was transferred multiple times, eventually landing with Sunrun, one of the largest solar providers in the nation. In 2020, Pilotte started experiencing error messages on his inverter, indicating issues with power stages. Despite reaching out to Sunrun for support, he received no assistance. The lack of resolution has persisted year after year, leaving Pilotte feeling lost and unheard. He believes that if the problem cannot be fixed, Sunrun should release him from the remaining years of his lease.
Mike Rice: Broken Promises
Mike Rice, who leases his solar panels in Douglas, pays a monthly fee to Spruce Power. Initially, the panels significantly reduced his National Grid bills, especially during the summer and fall months. However, in 2023, Rice’s net meter stopped working, causing him to lose credit for the energy his panels produced. As a result, he received unexpectedly high electric bills. Despite promises from Spruce Power to monitor his system, Rice was not informed about the issue. Although a technician eventually replaced the meter, Spruce Power denied any compensation for the months of missed energy production. Rice suggests that solar panel companies prioritize installation over maintenance and repairs.
Emphasizing the Importance of Service
These homeowners want to encourage others to adopt solar energy but stress the need to consider a company’s service record when choosing a provider. The focus should not solely be on installing solar panels but also on ensuring ongoing support and maintenance for optimal system performance.
Response from Solar Companies
Following outreach from NewsCenter 5, two of the three solar companies responded promptly to the homeowners’ concerns. Invaleon Solar Technologies committed to sending a technician to address Tom Lucas’ non-functional panels. Sunrun offered to remove Steve Pilotte’s system and release him from his lease. However, Spruce Power has not provided any resolution to Mike Rice, despite promises to respond. It is essential for solar companies to prioritize customer satisfaction and promptly address technical issues.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis:
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
The issues highlighted in the article are related to the installation and maintenance of solar panels, which are connected to the goals of affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9), and responsible consumption and production (SDG 12).
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
- SDG 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable.
- SDG 12.8: Ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature.
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets under the identified SDGs include increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix (SDG 7.2), upgrading infrastructure and retrofitting industries to make them sustainable (SDG 9.4), and ensuring that people have relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature (SDG 12.8).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Number of solar panels experiencing technical problems
- Number of solar panel systems not producing power
- Duration of time homeowners are left in the dark about problems with their solar systems
- Number of solar companies that prioritize sales over service
- Number of solar companies that respond to and resolve technical issues
The article mentions indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets, such as the number of solar panels experiencing technical problems, the number of solar panel systems not producing power, the duration of time homeowners are left in the dark about problems with their solar systems, the number of solar companies that prioritize sales over service, and the number of solar companies that respond to and resolve technical issues.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. | – Number of solar panels experiencing technical problems – Number of solar panel systems not producing power |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable. | – Number of solar companies that prioritize sales over service – Number of solar companies that respond to and resolve technical issues |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | 12.8: Ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature. | – Duration of time homeowners are left in the dark about problems with their solar systems |
Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.
Fuente: wcvb.com
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