Sol systems

*Update - As of November, we sold the house that was generating SRECs, but at that point, SREC values had plummeted so low, that we weren't even making $20 a year, any longer. It is pretty much a complete waste of time at this point. I am incredibly disappointed in my experiences with Sol System. Right now, SRECs are a joke anyway. You are lucky if you make $30 off of an SREC, that takes 2-3 months to even generate. When I first became a Solar Customer, I was told that if that happened, I would have the option of setting a minimum price that we would accept our SRECs be sold for. I've now been told that they don't offer that, and that I just need to deal with the fact that my SRECs are worthless now. In addition in the year and a half I've been their customer, I've had multiple issues with missing checks that never arrived, as well as one that took 3 weeks to be mailed after it was printed. I've also had an issue with them not give me credit for all my SRECs, which they still haven't resolved. The customer service is awful too. Takes days to get a response, and even then, the responses normally are not helpful. SOL is a "this is the way we do it, and that's that" kind of business. Very frustrating when you have an issue, because they will never admit there is an issue, and won't flex a single finger trying to help resolve anything.

The good: The team was responsive to inquiries, requests for support, and additional information. The install team was incredibly knowledgeable, courteous, quick, and made sure that the work done on the house would be done safely and last. Only one message in the 16 months we engaged them was not responded to how to make monthly payments immediately after installation. Warning: Do not assume that the system will be zero cost to you. In the year I've had my solar panels, only three bills have been lower than average. Further, my account has produced only 1 SREC. I did get $5k in tax savings but will end up paying for most of the cost of the panels even if I sell the house (unless I choose not to pay). Oh, and don't expect any notifications about paying your bill in advance. I asked and received no response until 4 days before the $3k lump sum first payment was due. The bad: The process takes forever--six months to install and an additional three months to register to be eligible for SREC payments. I fully understand COVID and issues with a neighbor's roof causing delays. But it took a month for inspections and financing to wrap and an additional three months for the SREC contract to be filed. Finally, there's no correspondence about your initial bill (min was about $3k) until a few days before it is due. I was not given access to my loan account until I reached out to gain it and there's no way to pay your bill online.

Sol Systems is the well known get-it-done solar finance crew!

I've been using Sol Systems ever since getting my solar panels installed in Maryland about 4 years ago. It's true that SREC values plummeted and became more of an exercise in reporting power generation each month in return for a check in a few months of maybe $10-20. But that's not Sol System's fault. That's just the state of the marketplace, where many large solar installations happened and far more SRECs were generated than the government program budgeted for. I will say, Sol Systems finally transitioned to direct depositing payments into a checking account, vs always mailing out paper checks. That helps with any issues of checks lost in the mail and what-not. And at least in Maryland, they did finally approve some more money going towards the program that adds value to SRECs. It isn't paying what it once did, but my last check was for close to $90. Truthfully, I'm not a big proponent of the whole SREC thing anyway. It's obviously financially beneficial for me as a solar panel owner if they're paying well. But in the overall sense, this is just an artificial construct where they're demanding the utility companies either produce more energy in "Green" ways, or they force them to buy these SRECs as compensation for not hitting the required percentages. Effectively, that just means everyone's electricity costs go up to cover it. Solar should be cost-justifying itself without the need for all of this. (If it's not, it's probably because your installer/dealer overcharged you for what you bought in the first place!)

My company has worked with Sol Systems for several years. Few others, if any, have the depth of expertise in the DC SREC market. The team is very friendly and I'm excited to see the larger scale solar projects they're developing these days.