That's what worry me. You get 25 years warranty but what if the company no longer exist? Even if you had manufacturing warranty, can't imagine the nightmare of getting it service.
Solar panel warranties by the installation company are maybe good for a few years at best, since they frequently go out of business. Manufacture warranties maybe for more, but often don't include labor. Presuming they're willing to provide coverage. Often, they'll blame the installer for the issues. Litigation is often a dead-end. It's buyer beware and hope for the best.
I saw this coming as soon as this was rolled out. The only way it would interest me, is if the power company has a vested interest in my unit. Teenagers in high school trying to sell this stuff in your driveway, tells you all you need to know.
At one point this company was getting hundreds of millions in grants from the US government... All of a sudden they are filing for bankruptcy... So where did money go???
If Sunpower is bankrupt, they should allow us to break free from their lease and allow us to find a new provider or allow the new provider like Tesla to buy the lease.
Solar panels are just like your hvac system. They require routine maintenance, parts will go out, and as time passes the panels degrade. They wont produce the same amount of energy as when new and eventually you gotta replace the system because the weather gets to it.
I've had 12 years of barely any response at all from SunPower. Including 6 months of delayed removal of panels on roof causing my garage to be flooded by storms and then a delay putting the panels back on. Solar was left unplugged for two years but no response from company. I am on a lease. Just horrendous 'service'. Contract issues - name transfer from mom-in-law to me, refusal to talk to me even after transferred to me. Now in bankruptcy and all correspondence is being mailed to my deceased mother in law. I cannot connect to see any info regarding bankruptcy. all letters to her.
Terrible. Companies that advertise parts and labor guarantees should have to put a portion of the sales in an escrow account in case something like this happens and customers are not left in the dust.
The panels are still good, they just need to find an independent contractor to change out the controller and inverter. There are tons of people in the space who do it now.
Considering since 2014 I have been paying about $18 a month for electricity. I would still say, I saved a ton. Even if I had to pay an independent contractor to fix some thing, I’m still way ahead.
And stupid ca mandate solar panels on new homes. Solar are better on a solar farm. I’m sure these solar company lobbied for it. Not really an efficient use of money 20k-60k for a solar system per home.
I agree on the price you stated but you can get solar PV installed for around $2 per watt before tax credits. If you're paying more than $3 per watt, it's not a good value.
@tenacietripeam-og7vc the ethanol scam is nothing but a program benefitting large corporate corn farmers. Look who's behind the push for 15% vs 10% ethanol fuel. Ethanol is not an efficient fuel. Another example of government costing consumers to pay corporations under the guise of benefitting all Americans. And the beat goes on.
@@MrArtist7777 A transit system run by the town of Jackson and Teton County, Wyoming replaced its diesel buses with electric, but none of the eight electric buses in its fleet are running, and the company that made them has gone bankrupt. Teton County has the highest concentration of wealth of any county in the United States, with average per capita income of more than $318,000. The county... Wasn't hard to do your own research
Good actually. My original bill for my house was $350. Since 2014 I’ve been paying $18 a month for electricity. Doing some math that means I’ve saved around $40,000. So even if I had to pay independent contractor to fix something I’m still good.
"It saves us a ton of money" No it does not. These people could pay for decades worth of power for what it costs to install these systems not to mention ending up with a faulty product and all of the aggravation that comes with it.
@@markadler8968 Meh, it all depends on the costs of the energy price, savings, and costs of the install. Here in The Netherlands the full return price is around 7years , the energy prices here are criminally insane. I even build my own battery system, I rather spend 1000's on battery's then to spend my money on energy taxes and energy company's. That is my main motivation, im past the point if it's economical to do or not. The main point is, as little as possible money to taxes and energy companys. F em all.
No, presumably the loan would be with a separate finance company that's near certainly still in business. Doing nothing would be a bad option. Would likely require litigation to get out of the loan.
Worse case serrano, if one can no longer use the solar panels on the roof if an inventor goes out or other parts can't be replaced/repaired, they can use these same panels for off-grid plugged into portable solar generators. Just disconnect the wiring from roof panels to inventor, then rewire to portable solar generators. The panels are already mounted on the roof, might as well take advantage they are already mounted these same panels will now run your off-grid solar system. Pick up a few good size solar generators, and a Hybrid Off-Grid AC/Heat Pump Mini Split that can operate directly off the roof solar panels during the day to heat or cool the home, Solar Generator can run the Mini-Split during the night then recharge the solar generator next day with the roof solar panels. Thats my plan if I can no longer use my roof solar system in the future, The panels are there might as well reuse them for off-grid.
The latest versions of Solar Panels from China have much higher efficiency with prices dropped by over 50% ! Old versions US Solar Panels will have a very hard time to compete . Try to order from Tesla where possible .
How’s that solar virtue signaling going for you guys today 😅 Solar is a never ending repair and replace system that you never stop paying for.. These types of people never want to admit the ongoing problems and overall cost of their “Green” energy.. my grid energy works 99.999 % of the time and at today’s solar cost it would take 15 yrs just to break even on the initial investment and at that point all the solar would need replacing.. Fools..
SunPower uses Maxeon solar panels and Enphase microinverters. This family just needs to get their inverter replaced and they should be fine. They could probably just directly ask Enphase for a warranty replacement and then get a local electrician to replace it. In terms of solar monitoring, they can still continue to use SunPower since that service is still in operation but could stop depending on what happens with the bankruptcy. If I were them, I would consider switching their controller to some other company, but that would add cost.
That's what worry me. You get 25 years warranty but what if the company no longer exist? Even if you had manufacturing warranty, can't imagine the nightmare of getting it service.
Solar panel warranties by the installation company are maybe good for a few years at best, since they frequently go out of business. Manufacture warranties maybe for more, but often don't include labor. Presuming they're willing to provide coverage. Often, they'll blame the installer for the issues. Litigation is often a dead-end. It's buyer beware and hope for the best.
Manufacturers go out of business too.
Good bye warranty.
Thankfully NO problems with my system which paid for itself years ago
I guess it’s a loophole in law. You could give warranty for 50 years.
@@QwertyQwerty-bd3tm
Most companies do not plan to go out of business.
They give a warranty based on what is reasonable lifespan.
I saw this coming as soon as this was rolled out. The only way it would interest me, is if the power company has a vested interest in my unit. Teenagers in high school trying to sell this stuff in your driveway, tells you all you need to know.
At one point this company was getting hundreds of millions in grants from the US government... All of a sudden they are filing for bankruptcy... So where did money go???
Don't worry, they'll be back up in no time under a new name selling to customers near you!
Sunpower is under 11 different names.
Sunpower is the parent company, what will most likely happen That the companies under then will be independent
If Sunpower is bankrupt, they should allow us to break free from their lease and allow us to find a new provider or allow the new provider like Tesla to buy the lease.
I tried this and they sent a legal response back stating I had to stay with them. They are charging me monthly on my lease but in bankruptcy
Solar panels are just like your hvac system. They require routine maintenance, parts will go out, and as time passes the panels degrade. They wont produce the same amount of energy as when new and eventually you gotta replace the system because the weather gets to it.
So you are saying i won’t get free power for the rest of my life? 😢
@@jmatt98
Hopefully NOT.
I'd much rather outlive my system!
I work at this company before, I remember my trainor, as long as the sun shining and a sand at the beach, we still have a job
I've had 12 years of barely any response at all from SunPower. Including 6 months of delayed removal of panels on roof causing my garage to be flooded by storms and then a delay putting the panels back on. Solar was left unplugged for two years but no response from company. I am on a lease. Just horrendous 'service'. Contract issues - name transfer from mom-in-law to me, refusal to talk to me even after transferred to me. Now in bankruptcy and all correspondence is being mailed to my deceased mother in law. I cannot connect to see any info regarding bankruptcy. all letters to her.
Electricity bill down but roof repairs way up as well as another financial partner in your home who has a lien on your house in many cases
These people can call any local independent solar contractor, they can easily fix the system. Inverters are simple swap outs, I’ve done it.
Terrible. Companies that advertise parts and labor guarantees should have to put a portion of the sales in an escrow account in case something like this happens and customers are not left in the dust.
How much did their home insurance went up after the solar panels were installed?
Where are the parts made?
The panels are still good, they just need to find an independent contractor to change out the controller and inverter. There are tons of people in the space who do it now.
not really they need to be sunpower dealer or they do not provide access to solar tech,having issues ..
How much is that solar saving you now?🤣🤣🤣
Considering since 2014 I have been paying about $18 a month for electricity. I would still say, I saved a ton. Even if I had to pay an independent contractor to fix some thing, I’m still way ahead.
And stupid ca mandate solar panels on new homes. Solar are better on a solar farm. I’m sure these solar company lobbied for it. Not really an efficient use of money 20k-60k for a solar system per home.
Except CA has incredibly strong consumer protections.
I agree on the price you stated but you can get solar PV installed for around $2 per watt before tax credits. If you're paying more than $3 per watt, it's not a good value.
How much taxpayer money went into this operation and how much more will it cost taxpayers? Finish the story, please.
@tenacietripeam-og7vc the ethanol scam is nothing but a program benefitting large corporate corn farmers. Look who's behind the push for 15% vs 10% ethanol fuel. Ethanol is not an efficient fuel. Another example of government costing consumers to pay corporations under the guise of benefitting all Americans. And the beat goes on.
Look at those electric buses that were 4 billion dollars and can't be fixed or used...
No tax payer money went into the system, or to service it. Custer can get a reduction from their tax bill, that’s it.
@@wesss9353which ones? You’re making up lies.
@@MrArtist7777 A transit system run by the town of Jackson and Teton County, Wyoming replaced its diesel buses with electric, but none of the eight electric buses in its fleet are running, and the company that made them has gone bankrupt. Teton County has the highest concentration of wealth of any county in the United States, with average per capita income of more than $318,000. The county...
Wasn't hard to do your own research
So how did solar work out for you?
Good actually. My original bill for my house was $350. Since 2014 I’ve been paying $18 a month for electricity. Doing some math that means I’ve saved around $40,000. So even if I had to pay independent contractor to fix something I’m still good.
@@doubledee23you are the exception and Not the rule
So people don’t normally save money? I don’t know what you’re trying to say.
@@doubledee23 most don’t and get liens placed on their property.
Where are you getting this info?
People fell for the ookie dope 😂😂😂😂😂😂
"It saves us a ton of money" No it does not. These people could pay for decades worth of power for what it costs to install these systems not to mention ending up with a faulty product and all of the aggravation that comes with it.
@@markadler8968 Meh, it all depends on the costs of the energy price, savings, and costs of the install.
Here in The Netherlands the full return price is around 7years , the energy prices here are criminally insane.
I even build my own battery system, I rather spend 1000's on battery's then to spend my money on energy taxes and energy company's. That is my main motivation, im past the point if it's economical to do or not. The main point is, as little as possible money to taxes and energy companys. F em all.
If my sunpower equipment has many issues and isn't fixed, and I still owe them money. Well, I guess they won't be getting any money from me then.
No, presumably the loan would be with a separate finance company that's near certainly still in business. Doing nothing would be a bad option. Would likely require litigation to get out of the loan.
They’ll put a lean on your property and take it if you don’t pay. Bet.
Is this a case of government subsidies running out before the company becomes profitable?
I mean you could put in a different brand inverter into the array…
Consider this like an EV car...DON'T do it!
This all happened during the first rush to solar in the 80’s. Deja Vu
Worse case serrano, if one can no longer use the solar panels on the roof if an inventor goes out or other parts can't be replaced/repaired, they can use these same panels for off-grid plugged into portable solar generators. Just disconnect the wiring from roof panels to inventor, then rewire to portable solar generators. The panels are already mounted on the roof, might as well take advantage they are already mounted these same panels will now run your off-grid solar system. Pick up a few good size solar generators, and a Hybrid Off-Grid AC/Heat Pump Mini Split that can operate directly off the roof solar panels during the day to heat or cool the home, Solar Generator can run the Mini-Split during the night then recharge the solar generator next day with the roof solar panels. Thats my plan if I can no longer use my roof solar system in the future, The panels are there might as well reuse them for off-grid.
The cost of third party insurance likely makes the entire effort more expensive at the end of the day. Likely the equipment came from China.
The latest versions of Solar Panels from China have much higher efficiency with prices dropped by
over 50% ! Old versions US Solar Panels will have a very hard time to compete .
Try to order from Tesla where possible .
Good!
Solyndra😂😂
Exactly. Green energy is a scam.
They rent my roof Al how much does it cost they rent my roof
Glad I went with Fusion power
Solar is Utopian
A fool and their money are soon parted.
Thank you President Obama.
Sukpower
Of course they did. They’ll move and reopen under a different name and scoop up more of our money.
How’s that solar virtue signaling going for you guys today 😅 Solar is a never ending repair and replace system that you never stop paying for.. These types of people never want to admit the ongoing problems and overall cost of their “Green” energy.. my grid energy works 99.999 % of the time and at today’s solar cost it would take 15 yrs just to break even on the initial investment and at that point all the solar would need replacing.. Fools..
Increased insurance costs and the whopper roof replacement to fix leaks...I know a few who experienced this.
TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Where are the parts made ?
SunPower uses Maxeon solar panels and Enphase microinverters. This family just needs to get their inverter replaced and they should be fine. They could probably just directly ask Enphase for a warranty replacement and then get a local electrician to replace it. In terms of solar monitoring, they can still continue to use SunPower since that service is still in operation but could stop depending on what happens with the bankruptcy. If I were them, I would consider switching their controller to some other company, but that would add cost.