Purchase or Pre-paid lease of 4-year old Solar System

[prhamilton]

Once they turn the system on they can take all the time they want figuring out what to do. I won't pay them anything. Once they tell you they are going to remove it then maybe I offer them something.

Glad you are getting the system turned on. Seemed like such a waste to have a nice big solar system sitting idle.

[Ian S]

I think it's pretty clear they really, REALLY REALLY don't want to remove it. Else they'd have done it by now.

[JCP]

I think it's pretty clear they really, REALLY REALLY don't want to remove it. Else they'd have done it by now.

At this point, they're looking at taking a significant loss on the system, so they'll probably work something out so long as both parties are reasonable.

[quicksilver8907]

Talked to them today. Originally they were going to start the trial period on June 1st, but when I got my electric bills they ended on the 16th so I ask them last week if they would turn it on sooner. They have kind of been giving me the run around since then, but they claim they will have it resolved next week so we will see. Have you guys heard of any of the solar companies actually not willing to sell because it was originally spec'd as a lease? It seems strange to me. The system has been on the roof of an abandoned house for almost two years now and has been turned off. Don't think they are going to remove it.

[russ]

They have kind of been giving me the run around since then, but they claim they will have it resolved next week so we will see.

This may be a situation they haven't had before - therefore no play book. They will have their lawyers looking at it from all sides to be aware of what they are doing. If it has been dead for two years they probably even have it in a "dead accounts" file. If someone screws up he gets his head lopped off. If all goes well then that is the way it should go. Not much incentive on their side - not a lot of money involved for them.

[Ian S]

Just wondering how "they" turn it on and off - isn't everything actually on your premises? Do they come out and flip the switch? How would they know if you turned it on and left the monitoring if any off? Do you have the proper meter still for solar? What kind of rate plan are you currently on?

[Ian S]

This may be a situation they haven't had before - therefore no play book. They will have their lawyers looking at it from all sides to be aware of what they are doing. If it has been dead for two years they probably even have it in a "dead accounts" file. If someone screws up he gets his head lopped off. If all goes well then that is the way it should go. Not much incentive on their side - not a lot of money involved for them.

I think you're right. It's a novel situation for them. It's been off for a couple of years and no one wants to rock the boat without being sure they will look good. Easier to maintain the status quo. At least the panels provide some weather protection for the roof!

[quicksilver8907]

Just wondering how "they" turn it on and off - isn't everything actually on your premises? Do they come out and flip the switch? How would they know if you turned it on and left the monitoring if any off? Do you have the proper meter still for solar? What kind of rate plan are you currently on?

Everything is on my premises. I guess they do just come out and flip the switch. I am just worried about the ramifications if I were to just turn it on. The monitoring has to be hooked up to high speed internet and I know exactly where the connection for it is. Haven't hooked that up obviously. I am still on a net metering plan with cal edison.

[prhamilton]

I would call SCE and have them inspect it and make sure you are OK to turn and begin net metering. You likely are all set and all they need to do is switch your rate plan. On your bill can you see what rateplan you are currently on?

If it were me I would operate it until they figure out what they want to do. I think in a big company like that, where these leases are packaged and re-sold it probably it pretty difficult to deal with an exception like yours. I bet a lot of people never even call Solar City and just use the thing so that's why they have no idea what to do with you.

[quicksilver8907]

I'm already on a net metering plan. Is there different kinds of net metering?

[Ian S]

Everything is on my premises. I guess they do just come out and flip the switch. I am just worried about the ramifications if I were to just turn it on. The monitoring has to be hooked up to high speed internet and I know exactly where the connection for it is. Haven't hooked that up obviously. I am still on a net metering plan with cal edison.

My, that's tempting.

[prhamilton]

Too tempting for me, I would turned it on months ago...

[prhamilton]

There's a couple different types of net metering rates. I won't worry about that too much about which plan you are on right out of the gate. The fact that you have NEM meter and rate means the power company is ready to accept power from your system and that is good news.

[Volusiano]

The problem I see is that you've already set a precedence that you wouldn't turn it on without their permission by discussing the turn-on date with them. So they may find some loop hole that says "you touch it you buy it" if you start turning it on now without their permission. Well probably not, but it'll sure complicate your negotiation with them if you did that. I wouldn't turn in on now if I were you, just to be on the up and up with everything.

[quicksilver8907]

The problem I see is that you've already set a precedence that you wouldn't turn it on without their permission by discussing the turn-on date with them. So they may find some loop hole that says "you touch it you buy it" if you start turning it on now without their permission. Well probably not, but it'll sure complicate your negotiation with them if you did that. I wouldn't turn in on now if I were you, just to be on the up and up with everything.

Yeah I started out of the gate actually talking to them about it before we even bought the house, so I didnt want to jeopardize anything by turning it on. I will keep you guys posted on how this goes. It is interesting my attorney actually wanted me to deal with this before we closed escrow, but I felt like that was really rushing things and so I opted not to take his advice, maybe that was a good idea, but we will see. I kinda feel like the ball is in my court and even they end up removing the system, I have a roofer that already did a certification on our roof that will be here to watch their every move. So I think its best to just wait it out. Its not hurting anything by it being up there, except for the fact that my wife doesnt like it.