by Ben Joslin

The solar industry is rapidly expanding; it is predicted that the amount of solar installed in the U.S. will quadruple over the next ten years. Our government recognizes that we need solar to combat the climate crisis and is providing incentives to help boost the expansion. The Biden administration recently announced the creation of the Solar for All program, which provides $7 billion to deliver solar to low-income households across the country.  

With this growth comes an increase in the number of solar companies. And, as solar emerges as a profitable alternative to fossil fuels, it inevitably attracts its share of bad actors. In pursuit of profits, some solar companies prioritize their own interests over those of the consumer. Knowing this, potential customers need to be well-informed to avoid being misled by unethical business practices.  

Don’t Get Scammed: Unethical Sales Practices 

Buyer beware! Some solar companies have adopted aggressive sales models to maximize profits and expand their customer base quickly. These models incentivize salespeople to prioritize profits over customer satisfaction and transparency. Some “solar sales bros” take to social media to openly brag about the earnings they achieve through selling solar systems. One video features a door-to-door salesman describing his approach as “being a sheep in the doorstep, and a wolf in the door.” This example highlights a trend towards high-pressure sales tactics in the industry. 

Many solar installers outsource their sales operations to freelance networks that work purely on commission. These networks negotiate a minimum price with installers, which is the lowest amount the installation company will accept to install a system. For example, let’s say that minimum price is $3 per watt installed. Networked salespeople are then allowed to mark up the price, often $5 per watt or more, and pocket the difference. This potential gain can tempt salespeople to overpromise the system’s capabilities or understate the long-term costs, putting homeowners at risk of making a decision that will hurt them in the long run. 

Regulatory Gaps and Business Ethics 

How do salespeople get away with these unethical sales tactics? One reason is that the business structures of these larger firms often prioritize rapid profit generation. These large solar companies have used complicated financial investment models to accelerate their growth, intensifying the push to acquire more customers. Many national companies package together hundreds of consumer solar leases into asset-backed securities (ABS) to sell to investors, allowing companies to immediately access capital that would otherwise accumulate gradually over the lifespan of the leases. This financial maneuver, while innovative, increases pressure on the company to quickly expand their customer base in order to keep these ABS-based financial models running.   

It’s this pressure for rapid growth that can lead companies to overlook unethical behaviors among their salespeople. There have been many instances where the terms of solar panel leases and loans were obscured by salespeople eager to close deals quickly — regardless of whether the conditions were fully understood or beneficial to the customer. The drive to hit sales targets and the opportunities for financial deals with investors can often take priority over fundamental values of customer service and honesty.  

Another common tactic of unethical solar companies is advertising “free” solar panels. This kind of messaging is misleading, creating a false sense of urgency and misinformation – there is no such thing as a free solar installation.  While a generous federal tax credit and other state-specific incentives are available to residents across the nation, no state or agency will pay for you to go solar. As a result of these ads, homeowners may enter agreements based on inaccurate information, ultimately finding themselves with unexpected financial obligations and lower-than-expected savings.

The Role of Responsible Business Models 

These issues highlight the importance of choosing a company with a responsible business model. That’s the strength of employee-ownership models like ReVision, where employees are owners. This approach helps ensure that employee-owner’s interests are aligned with the long-term health and reputation of the company. Our team members work hard to reflect this commitment from the initial site visit to the final system walk-through, upholding our values of responsibility, transparency, and kindness every step of the way.  

We’re also a Certified B Corp, meaning we prioritize the planet and our local communities over profit. We don’t owe anything to outside investors, so we can make decisions based on what is best for the customer and the long-term health of our environment.   

Also, we’re local! We live and work in these communities with you. We’re not going to scam you because we’re good people, but also because we’d probably just run into you the next week at a farmers’ market.  

Essential Tips for Potential Solar Customers 

1. Research the Company:

   Before agreeing to anything, research the company and check its reputation. Ask your friends, neighbors, and colleagues for recommendations. Look through a company’s reviews and social media comments to get an idea of what other customers say about their experience.

2. Avoid Rush Decisions: Be wary of high-pressure sales tactics such as “today only” offers. Solar is an investment, and businesses should understand the importance of their customers making informed decisions.

3. Read the Contract Thoroughly:Understand all the terms and conditions before signing any documents. Look for hidden fees, cancellation terms, and understand what the contract covers. Do not sign incomplete contracts or those with blank spaces.

4. Energy Savings Projections:Salespeople might present optimistic energy savings and cost projections. Review these projections carefully and compare them with current utility rates. Understand the factors your salesperson is using to calculate these savings.

5. Trust Your Instincts:If something feels off or too good to be true, it probably is. Trust your instincts and feel comfortable saying no or asking the salesperson to come back at another time after you’ve had a chance to think it over.

6. Ask Questions:Don’t hesitate to ask detailed questions about the products or services offered. A credible salesperson should be able to provide comprehensive and straightforward answers. At ReVision, our primary goal is to provide straightforward solar education and work with you to achieve your energy goals. We will never pressure you or force you into a decision that isn’t right for you.

What Questions Should I Ask a Solar Salesperson?

Check out our homeowner’s guide to going solar to learn more about these questions.

Financing Questions:

• What are my options for payment?
• What does it mean if I’m leasing the system?
• What happens if I sell my house?
• Will I still get a bill from the utility?

Maintenance Questions:

• What is solar maintenance? What kind of maintenance is required or suggested?
• If my system needs maintenance, how long will I have to wait?
• Will you fix the system if it breaks?
• What happens if I need to fix or replace my roof?
• What happens if critters damage my system?
• Does the company do its own Service/O&M work? Do they have licensed/certified technicians?
• Where are those service techs responding from?

Tax and Incentive Questions:

• What are the federal tax incentives I may be eligible for?
• Are there additional incentives or rebates specific to my town?
• What are Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)?

Warranty Questions:

• What’s the difference between workmanship and manufacturers’ warranties?
• What does your solar workmanship warranty cover?
• Do you cover your workmanship warranty, or do you outsource it to a third-party company?
• What does the manufacturers’ warranty cover?
• Who provides the service for manufacturers’ warranties?
• How long does the warranty last for major components like solar panels and inverters?  
• Can the warranty be transferred if I sell my home? 

• Are there any conditions or actions that could void the warranty?

General Questions:

• Is the company doing the installation the same company the salesperson works for?
• Is the salesperson an employee or just a commissioned salesperson?
• Does the company have the appropriate licenses to do the work they are proposing?
• How long has the company been in business? How long have they been working in this geography? 
• What is the company’s ownership structure?

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Recycling Solar Panels

We are approaching a period when many solar panels will be reaching the end of their useful lives. While solar waste only accounts for a small fraction of all global electronics waste, the U.S. needs to have a plan in place for addressing solar panels that are no longer viable. Many obsolete panels do unfortunately end up in landfills.

ReVision recycles any broken panels (usually caused by fallen trees, but occasionally an errant golf ball) with New Hampshire-based Aurum Recovery Group, keeping them out of landfills. This is not true industry-wide, however, highlighting the need for more sustainable practices across the solar field. Experts confirm that recycling is the answer, but we need government policies to encourage and support the practice. Joel Alder, ReVision’s Sustainability Coordinator, says “we’re proud of our sustainability efforts at ReVision, but we recognize that it’s just the beginning. We need to work towards a future where responsible end-of-life management for solar panels is the norm, not the exception.”

A solar panel has reached the end of its useful life when its ability to generate electricity has significantly decreased. This process takes 30 to 35 years. To understand what can come next for solar panels, it’s helpful to know more about what goes into them. 

What Are Solar Panels Made Of?

ReVision installs a type of solar panel known as a crystalline silicon module (C-Si). C-Si panels are made of silicon cells and a combination of glass, aluminum, plastic, copper, silver, and other special metals. The cells are made up of narrow slices of silicon, a material perfect for turning sunlight into electricity; it’s the second most abundant element in Earth’s crust (after oxygen).

When sunlight particles hit the silicon cell, it causes electrons to break away from the silicon atoms. These un-bonded electrons can then be captured and used to produce electricity. These silicon slices are either “poly” (many crystals), or “mono” (one crystal) based on their creation process.

The cells are then enclosed in a frame of plastic film, tempered glass, and aluminum to protect them from weather conditions like rain or snow. 

What Are the Benefits of C-Si Panels?

C-Si panels are the most common type of solar panel sold in the United States. This is because: 

1.     They’re reliable.

C-Si modules produce electricity for 30+ years and can withstand harsh New England weather conditions. ReVision installs panels from manufacturers that offer a 25-year power production guarantee, so you can rest assured we only install panels any of our employee-owners would be proud to have on their roof. 

2.     They’re efficient.

C-Si module efficiencies range from 19% to 22.8%, meaning ~22.8% of incoming sunlight is converted into electricity. These are some of the most efficient residential panels on the market. Keep in mind that no machines run at 100% efficiency, meaning that some energy is always lost in the form of heat, sound, or other forms of waste during the process of converting one form of energy into another. For instance, gas-powered cars operate at around 30% efficiency, meaning around 65 cents of every dollar spent on gas goes to waste (EVs have a much higher efficiency, operating at around 73%, but that’s a topic for another blog post).  

The Recycling Process: A Step-by-Step Guide 

95% of the materials that go into C-Si solar panels can be recycled, setting the stage for an eco-friendly disposal process. The first step is to figure out what you’re going to do with the panels. Companies that specialize in solar panel recycling are a great option, but they often prefer to work with larger quantities. Luckily there are also many electronics waste companies capable of handling solar panels, including ReVision’s partner Aurum Recovery Group. The actual process of breaking down solar panels to be recycled starts with the following steps: 

1. The company removes the aluminum frame and the junction box attached to the panel. 

2. They then separate the glass from the silicon cell through a combination of thermal, mechanical, and chemical processes. 

3. Finally, the silicon cells and special metals (silver, tin, copper, etc.) are purified by mechanically shredding the cells into fine particles that can then be separated and processed. 

Addressing Waste Classification Concerns 

In considering the recycling process, it’s important to address concerns about the waste classification of solar panels, which is often a point of confusion. Throwing solar panels in a landfill is wasteful but not harmful. Labeling all solar panels as “toxic” waste is misleading. 99% of all components in solar panels are non-hazardous materials. Due to the other 1%, the EPA can’t definitively say whether all solar panels are considered hazardous waste. Because of this, current U.S. policy leaves it up to the producer of the panel to determine whether the panel has hazardous waste characteristics.

Of the few hazardous materials that are found in solar panels, the vast majority are found in “thin film” panels. These comprise less than 5% of solar panels sold in the U.S. and are primarily sold outside New England. Companies like First Solar, one of the largest producers of thin panels in the world, use robust lifecycle management processes to ensure any hazardous materials are captured and managed properly at the end of a panel’s life. 

Why Recycle Solar Panels? 

While concerns about hazardous materials in solar panels are valid, it’s essential to understand the distinction between hazardous and non-hazardous materials in solar panels to recognize the potential of solar panel recycling.

The International Renewable Energy Agency estimates that by 2050, recycling solar panels could generate 78 million tons of raw materials worldwide. If ultimately reintroduced into the economy, the value of these raw materials could surpass $15 billion. So, why aren’t more solar panels recycled? It boils down to government policy. 

Moving Forward: Advocating for Better Recycling Policies 

Lawmakers recognize that U.S. solar panel recycling regulations fall far behind our European counterparts. EU regulations “require 85% collection and 80% recycling of the materials used in PV panels.” Compare that to a U.S projection from 2020 to 2050 which predicts we will recycle only 10% of materials in end-of-life solar panels. Unlike the EU, the U.S. currently does not require solar panels to be recycled.

This contrast shows that we need more economically viable recycling solutions in the U.S. The average cost to recycle a solar panel in the U.S. is $28. A supportive recycling policy that helps reduce this cost by just $10 could significantly boost U.S. recycling rates, raising them from 10% to 35%.

Seeing that our current regulations are outdated and stifling our recycling practices, lawmakers are working to change waste policy; as of late 2023, the EPA is developing a proposed rule to add solar panels to the universal waste regulations and states like California have already characterized solar panels as universal waste to promote recycling and reuse. As the adoption of solar energy expands, the policies and economic incentives for recycling need to expand too.  

How Can I Take Action?

If you think your system is reaching the end of its useful life, contact the ReVision Energy Service team. Our technicians are highly skilled electricians who are certified to handle solar arrays. They’ll remove the system permanently without damaging the panels or your roof If you want to ensure your panels won’t be dumped in a landfill, contact us, and we will help you create a plan for disposing of your end-of-life array. 

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Homeowners in Maine are familiar with power outages: we have one of the most vulnerable grids in the country. The most recent winter storm left 50% of Central Maine Power customers in the dark. More than ever, the value of reliable energy sources is apparent. While solar energy is dependable (the sun will continue shining for the next five billion years), homeowners with solar arrays will still find themselves without power in the occurrence of an outage. This is to protect line workers from dangerous reverse currents. So how do you keep your solar working when the grid is down?  

Battery backup systems

These systems store energy generated by a solar array, allowing homeowners to continue using their solar-produced electricity even during a power outage, keeping the lights on. ReVision installs two of the most popular and dependable battery storage units on the market, the Tesla Powerwall and SolarEdge Home. Now, there is further incentive to invest in battery backup for Mainers looking to bring energy resilience to their home and community.  

Recognizing the importance of home battery storage, Efficiency Maine, an organization created to design and execute energy efficiency programs, recently rolled out the Small Battery Demand Management Program. Homeowners participating in the program can share their battery’s stored energy during high-demand periods, helping prevent blackouts. On top of providing community support, the program lets participants earn around $300 per year.  

Overview: 

Program Summary: 

• Register your battery to support the grid during high demand and earn hundreds of dollars.   

Demand Events: 

• These will occur 40-60 times between June 1st and September 30th (there will be no events during severe outages). 

Enrollment:

• Sign up quickly through Tesla’s mobile app or Efficiency Maine’s web form (non-Tesla batteries are also eligible). You can opt in or out of events as you prefer.  

Incentives:

• Earn $100 per kW of average discharge, paid through Tesla’s app or Efficiency Maine’s website in December.    

Sound interesting? Here’s a more in-depth breakdown of the program.    

What is the Small Battery Demand Management Program?

Efficiency Maine’s program compensates eligible battery owners for helping reduce the strain on the New England electric grid during times of high demand, called demand response events. These events will occur about 40 to 60 times between June 1st and September 30th, each lasting no more than three hours.

Participants will earn payment depending on the amount discharged from their battery during the events. Efficiency Maine will notify participants at least four hours before an event. Once enrolled, the only action required is to maintain a Wi-Fi connection to your battery during events; no further steps are necessary. 

When you discharge electricity from your Powerwall during peak demand grid conditions, it helps balance the overall stress on the grid. By entering the program, your battery will discharge up to 85% of its stored energy during these high-demand events. If you own a Powerwall, remember that Tesla’s warranty covers unlimited cycles, so the additional cycles from this program won’t affect their system’s warranty.    

How do I enroll?   

Eligible participants can enroll through the Tesla app or Efficiency Maine’s website. If you’re a Powerwall owner already enrolled through the website, you will be able to access the Virtual Power Plant section of the Tesla app when your enrollment is processed through Tesla. This process should take one to two weeks.  

If you own a different type of battery backup system, like Generac, Enphase, or SolarEdge, you can also enroll through Efficiency Maine’s website. Tesla strongly recommends Powerwall customers enroll through the app to simplify and expedite the process. Efficiency Maine recently released a Small Battery Incentive Calculator, where users can input their exact information to get a better understanding of their potential earnings. 

What are the benefits of participating?   

Grid Support:

Contribute to a more stable and sustainable energy system in Maine, reducing the need for expensive and polluting “peaker” power plants.   

Financial Incentives:

Receive $100 per kW of average discharge during demand response events, paid annually through Tesla’s app or Efficiency Maine’s website in December. Participating in these events will earn you around $300 a year, depending on how many events you participate in.   

Easy Management:

Participation can be easily managed through your Tesla app, allowing you to opt in or out of specific events. You set your backup reserve in the app so you can decide how much of your battery to share for each event. You can even change your backup reserve during an event and opt-out if needed. Just remember that any adjustments will affect your total payment since the incentive is based on the average total kW discharged during the whole program. (One quick caveat is that when enrolling through Tesla’s app, they will ask you for an account ID or number. They’re referring to your utility account number.)   

How does this program benefit my community?   

Participating in programs like this with multiple homes equipped with solar and batteries helps create a “virtual power plant,” stabilizing the grid and making it more resilient against outages while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Through Tesla’s app, you’ll see how much power your system is sending to the grid and the collective contribution of all participating homes in Maine. Enhancing the grid’s strength benefits all Mainers and is a step toward a cleaner energy future.   

By supplying your stored energy to the grid during times of high demand, you reduce the need for the grid to draw additional power from other sources, which can be more expensive and less efficient. Supplying stored energy from your Powerwall also reduces the need for costly and polluting power plants and delays the construction of expensive power lines – the cost of which is typically transferred to consumers’ electricity bills. Ultimately this program is designed to save all ratepayers money and prevent grid-wide outages.   

This program lets battery storage owners in Maine make money year over year throughout the lifetime of their Powerwall. As we navigate the challenges of the current storm, think of the broader impact your Tesla Powerwall can have. Beyond ensuring energy independence for your home, you’re empowering the community with a more robust, greener grid. Join the movement and make a positive difference for your community.