Online Tool to Help Solar Customers Avoid Getting Burned

Many San Antonians purchased and installed solar panels on their rooftops for the first time over the past several years – about 9,200 CPS Energy customers will have taken advantage of the utility’s solar rebate program by the end of February.

But customers like Cathy Leary and others have buyers remorse.

A local company installed a 6.4 kilowatt system, 20 panels, at Leary’s home in Alamo Heights in spring 2016. The documents they provided her said the solar panels would supply “101% of annual electrical use,” zeroing out her electricity bill. She paid $3.60 per watt.

“All along the way … I kept saying, ‘Are you sure we can have solar panels? We have so much shade,’” Leary recalled. She has two large trees on the west and east sides of her house – she used to have a third until the recent hail storm knocked one down. Her panels, especially when the trees are filled with leaves (most of the year), barely get any sun. Read more…