Up First from NPR The Dark Side of Rooftop Solar
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Sep 29, 2024 
Alana Samuels, Senior Economics Correspondent for Time Magazine, delves into the hidden pitfalls of rooftop solar. She discusses the aggressive sales tactics that often mislead customers about savings. A couple's story highlights the struggle with rising energy bills and poor support after their solar investment. The podcast also examines the unique challenges the U.S. solar market faces, comparing it to more customer-friendly practices in Germany. Samuels sheds light on the financial realities of solar leasing and the frustrations homeowners endure.
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Solar Nightmare
- Christine and John Scalera, lured by a salesman's pitch, leased solar panels hoping to reduce their electricity bills.
- The panels underperformed, leading to increased debt and frustrating customer service experiences.
Financing Solar
- The residential solar industry's growth was fueled by innovative financing like PPAs and leases.
- These options made solar accessible but created a need for companies to raise significant capital.
Solar as a Financial Product
- Solar companies sought additional revenue streams through tax credits and asset-backed securities.
- This shift prioritized financial engineering, sometimes at the expense of customer service.