Introduction
By Randy Travis
Published May 16, 2022
DOUGLASVILLE, Ga - A hidden camera FOX 5 I-Team investigation takes the shine off some big promises made to Georgia homeowners about solar power.
With rising energy prices, you may be paying closer attention to those ubiquitous ads on social media:
"The government will cover the cost to install solar."
"Get paid to go solar!"
"Reduce or even eliminate your electric bill by using solar energy."
Amie and Nathan Tatro of Lafayette saw the same ads. So they signed a contract with Power Home Solar -- now Pink Energy -- to outfit their home with solar panels, a deal that cost $91,000 with monthly installments over 25 years.
"It’s not turned out to be what was promised," Amie admitted. "Almost everything he said turned out not to be true."
FULL STORY: www.fox5atlanta.com/news/hidden-cameras-reveal-dark-side-of-solar-power
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Content
The IMPORTANCE OF THE MOVE, BUT ALSO WARNING THERE COULD BE, MILITARY, CONSEQUENCES., TO, THE, I, TEAM, NOW, A, HIDDEN, CAMERA., FOX, FIVE, ITEM, INVESTIGATION, TAKES, THE, SHINE, OFF, SOME, BIG, PROMISES, MADE, TO, GEORGIA, HOMEOWNERS, ABOUT, SOLAR, POWER, TALK, ABOUT, FRUSTRATING, SOME, SOLAR, CUSTOMERS, ENDED, UP, SPENDING, EVEN, MORE, FOR, POWER, THAN, THEY, DID, BEFORE., FOX, FIVE, ITEM, REPORTER, RANDY, TRAVIS, SHOWS, YOU, THE, RIGHT, QUESTIONS, TO, ASK., AND, THIS, GROWING, INDUSTRY, READY, ACCORDING, TO, SALES, ADS, TO, GO, SOLAR, ARE, EVERYWHERE, ON, SOCIAL, MEDIA, SO, WE, INVITED, TWO, OF, THE, BIGGER, ADVERTISERS, TO, A, HOUSE, OUTFITTED, WITH, HIDDEN, CAMERAS., AND, SINCE, BOTH, SALESPEOPLE, JUST, RECENTLY, STARTED, WITH, THOSE, COMPANIES, WE, DECIDED, TO, SHOW, THEM, TO, YOU., THIS, WAY., I've, NEVER, WORKED, ANYWHERE, THAT, EVERYBODY, IS, SO, HAPPY., HAPPY, EMPLOYER, IS, POWER, TO, PINK, ENERGY, BASED, IN, NORTH, CAROLINA, THE, LARGEST, HOME, SOLAR, COMPANY, IN, THE, SOUTHEAST, COST, FOR, ELECTRICITY, THE, COST, FOR, POWER, GOING, UP, AND, THEY're, GOING, TITAN, USA, OUT, OF, KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE, ALSO, MAKING, A, BIG, PUSH, INTO, GEORGIA, THESE, DAYS., BUT, DESPITE, THEIR, UPBEAT, SALES, PITCHES, BOTH, COMPANIES, MADE, PROMISES, TO, GEORGIA, CUSTOMERS, THAT, QUICKLY, TURNED, THOSE, SMILES, UPSIDE, DOWN, NOT, TURNED, OUT, TO, BE WHAT WAS PROMISED NOT WORKING ANYTHING EVER AGREED TO PAY, CELL, OR, TIGHTEN, USA, $43,000, TO, OUTFIT, HIS, DOUGLAS, FULL, HOME., I, PROMISE, REDUCES, ELECTRIC, BILL, SUPPOSED, TO, GO, DOWN, ABOUT, 80, OR, 90%, WE'll, NEVER, KNOW., ACCORDING, TO, THE, DOUGLAS, COUNTY, BUILDING, INSPECTOR, SOLAR, TITAN, FAILED, TO, PULL, A, BUILDING, PERMIT, TO, DO, THE, WORK., WITHOUT, THAT, PERMIT, COVERT, CAN't, HOOK, UP, THE, SYSTEM, TO, THE, GRID, WORTHLESS, SYSTEMS, NOT, EVER, GOING, TO, BE, RUNNING, AND, THEY, FOR, SOLAR, TITAN, USA, TOLD, US, THEY, DID, PULL, AN, ELECTRICAL, PERMIT, BUT, DIDN't, KNOW, DOUGLAS, WILL, REQUIRE, A, BUILDING, PERMIT, TO, CALLED, COLBERT, TO, REACH, A, RESOLUTION., HE, WANTS, THE, SYSTEM, REMOVED., THE, SALESMAN, TELL, YOU, THINGS, THAT, TURNED, OUT, NOT, TO, BE, TRUE., ABSOLUTELY, ALMOST, EVERYTHING, HE, SAID, TURNED, OUT, TO, NOT, BE, TRUE., AMY, AND, NATHAN, TEATRO, WOULD, BE, ABLE, TO, SELL, EXTRA, SOLAR, POWER., BACK, TO, THEIR, UTILITY, THUS, GIVING, THE, LAFAYETTE, COUPLE, AND, NEGATIVE, ELECTRIC, BILL, SCENE., A, NEGATIVE, POWER, BILL., NO, NEVER, OUR, HOME, SOLAR, SYSTEM, COST, $91,000, FINANCED, OVER, 25, YEARS., NORTH, GEORGIA, AMC, BILLS, HAVE, BARELY, BUDGED, ALL, THIS., I, WOULD, HAVE, NEVER, MADE, THIS, DECISION., I, WOULD, HAVE, STAYED, WITH, MY, REGULAR POWER COMPANY.
IT's AN UNDERSTANDABLE FEELING.
FOR SOME HOMEOWNERS.
SOLAR, POWER, IS, A, TO, TRY, TO, CUT, BACK, ON, RISING, ENERGY, COSTS, BUT, MANY, OF, THEM, DON't, KNOW, THE, RIGHT, QUESTIONS, TO, ASK., WELL, WE, DO, KNOW, THE, THE, ANSWERS., WE, GOT, OUR, HOME, SOLAR, DECIDED, NOT, TO, USE, THEIR, HAPPY, SALES, PERSON, TO, MAKE, THE, HARD, SELL, FOR, US., INSTEAD, WE, WERE, PATCHED, INTO, SPEAK, VIRTUALLY, TO, ANDREW, WHO, SAID, HE, WAS, A, SENIOR, ACCOUNT, MANAGER, SHOWING, HIS, FACE, EXPENSIVE, SYSTEMS., UM, A, LOT, OF, PEOPLE, THINK, THEY're, 5, 10, GRAND, REALLY?, WE're, ELIMINATING, LIFELONG, UTILITY, BILL., THAT's, RIGHT, HE, SAID., ELIMINATE, TO, DO, THAT, ANDREW, QUOTAS, $69,999., LATER, GUARANTEEING, A, 67%, REDUCTION, IN, OUR, POWER, BILL, SCENARIOS., YOU'll, HAVE, 23%, OF, YOUR, BILL, LEFT., BUT, THAT, REALLY, IS, PROBABLY, GOING, TO, BE, IN, THE, WINTER, WHEN, WE're, NOT, PRODUCING, AS, MUCH, WE, HAD, TO, LOCAL, COMPANIES, DESIGN, SOLAR, SYSTEMS, SOLAR, USA, A, AND, ALTERNATIVE, ENERGY, SOUTHEAST., BECAUSE, OF, SHADE, AND, THE, ROOF, DESIGN., NEITHER, SAID, IT, WOULD, REDUCE, OUR, 50%, BUT, THEIR, COST, WAS, DRASTICALLY, LOWER, THAN, POWER, HOME, SOLAR's, PRICE, AND, THIS, IS, WHY, IT's, GOOD, TO, GET, A, NUMBER, OF, TRUTH, SERUM, COMES, OUT, HAVE THAT METERING, WHICH IS HUGE PROMISE THAT WE GET FULL, CREDIT, FOR, SENT, TO, OUR, ELECTRIC, COMPANY., IT's, CALLED, NET, METERING, AND, CAN, REDUCE, YOUR, ELECTRIC, BILL, DRAMATICALLY, THIS, SUMMER., MORE, BALANCES, BECAUSE, IN, THE, SUMMER, WE, COULD, USE, A, LOT, MORE, ELECTRIC, THAN, WE, ACTUALLY, NEED., THAT, SERVICES., THIS, HOME, DOESN't, OFFER, NET, METERING., OUR, HOME., SOLAR, SAID, IT, FIRED, ANDREW, BECAUSE, WHAT, HE, TOLD, US, DID, NOT, ACT, IN, ACCORDANCE, WITH, OUR, SALES, GUIDELINES, AND, TRAININGS, OR, OUR, ETHICS., THEY, ALSO, AGREED, TO, CANCEL, AMY, AND, NATHAN's, CONTRACT, AND, TAKE, DOWN, THEIR, SYSTEM, AGAINST, CITING, A, RATHER, SIGNIFICANT, MISCOMMUNICATION., BY, TO, BE, HARDER, AND, HARDER, TO, GET, SOLAR, IN, THE, NEXT, COUPLE, OF, YEARS., TITANS, RECOMMENDED, ESTIMATE, FOR, OUR, HOUSE, WAS, ALMOST, AS, HIGH, NEARLY, $58,000., THAT's, $345, A, MONTH., FOR, 20, YEARS., STILL, GOING, TO, PAY, FOR, POWER?, NO, NO, THAT's, THE, SO, WHAT, THIS, IS, RIGHT, HERE., YOU, PAY., THIS, SHOULD, TAKE, CARE, OF, ALL, YOUR, ALL, YOUR, ALL, OF, YOUR, USAGE, WILL, BE, ABOUT, 100%, OF, YOUR, USAGE, RIGHT, NOW., READY?, TRAVIS, WITH, FOX, FIVE, NEWS., WE've, HAD, SOME, COMPLAINTS, ABOUT, YOUR, COMPANIES., WE, WANT, TO, KIND, OF, HEAR, HOW, THE, PROMISE, HER, THAT HER POWER BILL HAVE NO CONSUMPTION CHARGE AT ALL? WITH, THIS, UNIT., CAN, YOU, MAKE, THAT, PROMISE?, I'm, NOT, GOING, TO, ANSWER, ANY, QUESTIONS, FROM, YOU, MAN., THIS, IS, REAL, UNCOMFORTABLE, FOR, ME., WELL, IMAGINE, THE, PEOPLE, WHO, HAVE, BEEN, TOLD, THAT, AND, THEY, GET, POWER, BILLS, EVEN, AFTER, THEY, SPENT, SO, MUCH, MONEY, ON, THE, SYSTEM., MAYBE, UNCOMFORTABLE, TOO, DON't, YOU, THINK?, WELL, UM., WELL, SOLAR, TITAN, USA, TOLD, US, NONE, OF, THEIR, SALES., PEOPLE, SHOULD, BE, SAYING, THAT, THEIR, SYSTEM, WILL, REPLACE, DO, SO, IS, A, FIRING, OFFENSE., POLICE, SAID, THAT, THEY, ARE, NOT, FIRING, THAT, SALESMAN., THEY're, JUST, RETRAINING, HIM, TO, STILL, HAVE, ANY, KIND, OF, A, BILL., AFTER, SHELLING, OUT, WHAT, YOU, WERE, QUOTED, ALMOST, $70,000., THEY, SHOULD, BE, PRETTY, UP, FRONT, ABOUT, THAT, SOUNDS, LIKE, YOU'll, HAVE, MORE, ON, THIS, TOMORROW, NIGHT., BOTH, COMPANIES, ALSO, PROMISED, WOULD, BE, ABLE, TO, SAVE, A, BUNCH, OF, MONEY, BY, USING, A, 26., TAX, CREDIT, A, FEDERAL, TAX, CREDIT, BUT, THAT, ONLY, WORKS, IF, YOU, PAY, THAT, MUCH, IN, FEDERAL, TAXES, AND, OUR, PRODUCER, TOLD, BOTH, COMPANIES, WE'll, SHOW, YOU, WHAT, HAPPENS, TOMORROW, NIGHT., ALL, RIGHT, VERY, INTERESTING, EVERYWHERE, AND, YOU're, HELPING, SOUTH., THANK, YOU., THANKS, FREDDIE., RESIDENTS HAD.
FAQs
What is the dark side of solar panels? ›
Solar energy is clean when it's in use, but it can be harmful to the environment when it's created and disposed of. The production of solar panels involves the use of various toxic substances and chemicals, including silicon tetrachloride, which can harm workers and pollute the environment if not disposed of properly.
Can solar panels be disguised? ›Dyaqua is a family-owned Italian company that makes traditional-looking terracotta roof tiles that disguise solar photovoltaic cells.
What is a solar-powered camera? ›Solar-powered security cameras are standalone devices that do not require hard-wiring to set up. They draw power from solar panels (bundled or sold separately) and offer users better flexibility than wired security cameras.
Can a solar panel power a CCTV camera? ›Solar-powered CCTV uses solar panels to convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity which can be used to power CCTV. Even if there's a lack of sunlight, solar power CCTV can still function properly. It receives power from rechargeable batteries that store extra electrical power generated by the solar panel.
What is the negative side of solar? ›Associated with Pollution
Transportation and installation of solar systems have been associated with the emission of greenhouse gases. There are also some toxic materials and hazardous products used during the manufacturing process of solar photovoltaic systems, which can indirectly affect the environment.
Manufacturing of solar panels, like the production of most electronic products, requires the use of a variety of harmful chemicals such as hydrofluoric acid and kerf dust, a byproduct of silicon wafer production [3].
Are solar panels monitored? ›A solar monitoring system allows you to keep track of the output of your solar panels. A solar monitor is usually installed at the same time your solar panels are installed. There are also aftermarket solar monitors, some of which also function as home energy monitors.
Is there a negative to solar panels? ›The cons are that it only produces energy when the sun is shining, needs a significant amount of land, and that certain solar technologies require rare materials.
Do solar security cameras record all the time? ›They're usually mounted on roofs or other high-traffic areas with backup power to capture footage of your property by video recording at all times. Solar security cameras typically have better image quality than traditional surveillance cameras, more excellent night vision range, and they're also more affordable.
Do solar powered cameras work at night? ›Many solar-powered security cameras also contain rechargeable batteries. These batteries are recharged throughout the day as the panels convert sunlight to energy, keeping the camera working at night and throughout cloudy, gray days.
How long do solar powered cameras last? ›
You can expect your solar-powered camera to run indefinitely as long as the solar panel gets enough sunlight each day to recharge the battery. Most solar security camera batteries last around one to six months on a charge so they should easily outlast several weeks of dark skies.
How long does it take for a solar panel to charge a security camera? ›If your Reolink Solar Panel is working under good weather conditions with efficient sunlight and meets the working temperature and humidity standard, normally it will take 3~4 days to fully charge the battery of your cameras with the camera off or working in standby mode.
Do solar security cameras need WIFI? ›Not all security cameras require the internet, but without it, you miss out on remote control, notifications, and other features of smart cameras. While these days, most security cameras are connected to the internet, there are a number of wireless options that don't require the net to function.
Do solar security cameras need direct sunlight? ›It is always a good idea to place the solar panels in the best position of the sun, but the security camera does not need to work. If there is no direct sunlight, the solar security camera will still collect energy from the ambient sunlight. Q: Do solar security cameras work in winter?
Do solar panels shade your house? ›Installing rooftop solar panels creates shade that blocks sunlight from hitting your roof. As a result, less heat is absorbed into your attic and your entire home stays cooler. A cooler house requires less air conditioning, resulting in less energy consumption and lower electric bills.
What is a safe distance to live from a solar farm? ›In general, keep at least 500 meters away from a large-scale solar farm and at least 200 meters away from a small-scale solar farm.
Is solar dirty energy? ›The process of converting the low voltage Direct Current from the panels to usable electricity (AC) for the home constantly puts dirty electricity into your lines. Over time, this builds up to significant levels and can expose you and your family to large amounts of radiation.
How long do solar panels last? ›The industry standard for most solar panels' lifespans is 25 to 30 years. Most reputable manufacturers offer production warranties for 25 years or more. The average break even point for solar panel energy savings occurs six to 10 years after installation.