Alabama Woman Stuck with Solar Panel Bill: Cheryl Younger, an Eight Mile resident, is expressing frustration and a sense of being misled after purchasing solar panels for her home. What she anticipated as a cost-saving investment has turned into a financial burden, with a $45,000 bill for the solar panels she believed would cost $20,000. Younger installed the panels in December, expecting a positive impact on her power bills. However, her reality is far from the promised benefits.
A letter indicating Younger’s past due status on the $45,000 bill has added to her distress. Despite having the solar panels for several months, her power bills show minimal savings. In June, her Alabama Power Purchase of Alternative Energy (PAE) credit was a mere $14.35. Extrapolating at this rate, it would take over 260 years for the credit to cover the cost of the panels.
Younger, feeling deceived, is not alone in her dissatisfaction with Design 1 Group, the company responsible for the solar panel installation. According to the Better Business Bureau, there have been 115 complaints closed against the company in the last 12 months. Another Mobile County resident even filed a lawsuit earlier this year, alleging a $45,000 loan for solar panels that never arrived.
Living on a fixed income at 65 years old, Younger emphasizes that she cannot afford the financial strain caused by the unexpected cost of the solar panels. Her plea is simple: “I want my money back. That’s all I ask. Give me back my money and lift the lien on my paid-off home.” Younger’s case sheds light on the challenges faced by consumers dealing with unmet promises and financial implications in the solar industry.
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Our Reader’s Queries
How much is solar fee in Alabama?
The specific cost per kW depends on various factors, such as your utility provider, but on average it’s about $5 per month. So, for a standard 11.5 kW system in Alabama, that comes to approximately $58 per month to simply have solar power readily available.
Does Alabama Power pay for solar power?
In 2024, Alabama’s solar incentives fall short, as the state’s main utility, Alabama Power, offers very low compensation for extra solar energy, resulting in extremely long payback periods for solar panel owners.
Are solar panels worth it in Alabama?
Zillow estimates that the average home’s value will increase by 4.1%, or about $9,078. This, along with the property tax exemption in AL that stops property taxes from rising, makes installing solar panels a big advantage.
Is solar power legal in Alabama?
You’re in luck: Alabama homeowners can set up solar panels on their homes. However, the downside is that you may not see a significant decrease in your utility costs. But don’t let that discourage you from considering solar panels.