Sunrun Solar Company SunRun, Inc. SunRun, Inc. screwed me!!!! San Francisco, California

Solar cost and electric bill higher than promised to this homeowner; higher than before solar installed.  This should convince consumers to do your research thoroughly before siging any contract, whether for solar power, water treatment systems, home owner warranties, etc.

http://www.azfamily.com/story/37760483/update-valley-homeowner-released-from-20-year-solar-contract

A Valley homeowner was leasing solar panels for around $130 a month and was contractually obligated to pay for 20 years. That comes to around $30,000, but there’s a big update since the initial 3 On Your Side report aired.

Rachel Woolley's long ordeal with solar power has finally ended with a happy resolution.

“Yes, so happy. I'm so grateful. None of this would have been possible without you guys, for sure.”

In previous 3 On Your Side reports, Woolley explained how she wanted to go green and decided to enter into a 20-year contract where she agreed to lease solar panels from a company Sunrun.

"They sold us on the idea that with this number of panels we would have 100% of our energy needs covered," said Wooley.

Unfortunately, though her savings were not what she thought they would be. In fact, over the course of a year, Woolley says she actually spent more on electricity than if she had never gone solar at all.

"We used 20% less energy last year and we managed to pay almost $1000 more than we would have if we'd never gone solar in the first place."

So 3 On Your Side got involved. After Sunrun investigated the issue for us, the solar company decided to make things right for Woolley who says,

"Sunrun finally admitted that they could not save us money as promised so they agreed to terminate our lease and remove all the panels off our roof."

That's right. Because Rachael's energy costs would not be lower, Sunrun agreed to send their employees back to Rachael's Phoenix home and they removed all of the solar panels that they had installed.

Sunrun also decided terminate the 20-year contract, which would have amounted to around $30,000 over two decades.

Harper: "Not only does Sunrun come out to Rachel's house and remove all the solar panels but they also patched part of her roof when the solar panels were bolted down, and it gets even better, the company is also sending Rachel a $3,100 check so she could all of her roof replaced."

And here's the $3,100 check she just received.

Woolley says she feels the solar company went above and beyond when it comes to resolving her issue.

Not only will she be getting a new roof, but she is thrilled to be out of that 20-year contract that would have cost $30,000.  

Harper: "You don't have to pay those monthly payments for 20 years?"

Woolley: "Nope."

Harper: “And that comes to around $30,000?"

Woolley: "It sure does."

Harper: “So we just saved you $30-grand!"

Woolley: "You sure did and yes, a whole lot of anxiety. I'm so relieved that it's over. I'm grateful to 3 On Your Side for coming to our aid and I'm also thankful to Sunrun for doing the right thing in the end."

A big thank you to Sunrun for resolving this issue. They didn't have to let her out of that $30,000 contract but they did and we appreciate that.

Below is a statement 3 On Your Side received from Sunrun on 2/15/18

“Ms Woolley is currently on the APS Combined Advantage electricity plan. This plan includes demand charges which punitively charge the customer for their single highest hour of electricity use every month, no matter their electricity use the rest of the month.

Demand charges are more commonly applied to commercial customers and Arizona is unique in applying demand charges to residential customers.  Demand charges are typically not a suitable rate design for residential customers because they are difficult for customers to understand and the variability in their electricity bills make it difficult for solar savings to offset these charges.  

Due to Ms Woolley’s unique energy use, combined with her demand charge electricity plan, she is unable to experience the savings typical of Sunrun solar customers. Ms Woolley requested that we remove the solar panels from her roof and, given her unusual circumstances, we have honored her request.

The majority of Sunrun’s customers are charged on a volumetric rate, which means they are charged for the total amount of electricity they use over the whole month.  These charges are more easily understood, provide certainty, and can be offset by solar energy that is generated during the day, providing the customer with more control over their energy bills and savings on their utility bills.

Solar power remains the most abundant, accessible and low-cost energy source, and Sunrun is committed to bringing clean solar energy to Americans. We continue to urge regulators and utilities all over the country to adopt customer-friendly electricity rates so that more Americans enjoy the choice to go solar and receive the health and environmental benefits solar offers, as well as lower energy prices.”  

Hello, I'm a small solar/electrical contractor out of San Diego California. My partner and I worked many years for corporate solar companies and know their evil agendas. Many times we witness good people suffer the consequences of PPA/Leasing agreements. It starts with a saleman (will tell you anything for a commission check$$). Then the company will design your solar system to only cover 80%, or less, of your electric bill. Why? Beacause the payments look better on paper!! Also, most companies save time designing solar systems using ''Satellite Imagery". This causes a lot of problems because of obstruction on the property including roof vents, chimney shading, skylight, and tree shading. One partially shaded panel can reduce your production immensely. This is another factor that contributes to a end of the year "True Up Bill" or "Overage Bill" because your system is not producing due to shading. I'm not saying PPA/Leasing agreements are a bad decision, they work if your system is designed to cover 100% of your electric bill. Find a local solar company not a ''Corporate" company to design your system. Local companies are usally made up of field installers that know the industry. The real solution to NOT end up with a True Up Bill is a "Purchase Agreement". Most states offer a 30% federal tax credit which banks will use as a down payment for your system. If your system is designed correctly and it covers 100% of your usage, the system will pay off your loan or investment in under six years while reducing your electric bill. Solar really works just not in the hands of greedy corporations...  

 How did it work out for you when you "cancelled" your contract with Sun Run?

You do know they paid the money up front for the system and you agreed to pay it back over 20 years.

I'm hoping you've found the system will actually pay off.  

We've had our system since Sept. 2010 and it is starting to pay off.  It's an 8kw system and works very well. We use a lot of power, in part due to 24/7 operation of medical equipment. In off summer months we use about 28kwh/day and summer 42 kwh/day.  We have a new VERY efficient A/C and furnace.  We also use a gas water heater which is far cheaper to run.

What size is your system?  Do you check your meters on a regular basis to see what you're producing?  Ask Sun Run for help in interpreting this.

SunRun.  I would like to hear their side of this.

They provide your power on cloudy days and during the night when your solar is NOT producing electricity. Because they maintain the lines and meter to your house and also purchase power reserves you will ALWAYS receive a bill from them.

As power rates go up and they definitely will, you'll start to see a payoff.

You should have a chart that came with your installation that predicts how much power your solar will generate each month.

It doesn't matter what you were told or believe you were told, your written multi-page contract YOU signed governs all dealings with Sun-Run.

Sun Run's website lets you check your solar production daily.  If you don't know how to do this, ask them.

I find them to be very courteous and helpful.

My payment equivalent to Sun Run is $92/month and my power bill for all of 2012 was $225, NOT including the Sun Run payment.  I paid almost $200/month to Xcel Energy during the summer months before the solar.

I will be at the break even point soon...depending on the inevitable rate increases by the power company. We put in an 8kw system in Sept. 2010. It performs flawlessly.

You have taken a serious and contract breaking step by stopping payment to Sun Run, you will be liable for paying off the 20 year contract and if you fail to do that, you will be sent to collections and your credit pretty much in the toilet. Re think your position before the ship hits the sand.

You're NOT looking at the long term benefits of your investment.  You made the right moves, putting the solar in. Have patience and you will see it pay off.

BTW, I DON'T work for Sun Run, but find their contract reasonable and their service and customer support to be first rate.