My Journey from Solar Savings to Unexpected Struggles: A Story About Sunnova

Dan
6 min readJan 14, 2025

Note: this is a live document that will be updated as things progress….

I believe my story offers valuable insights into the need for transparency and fairness in the renewable energy sector, particularly in solar contracts. It reflects the ongoing struggle of a homeowner seeking a fair resolution with Sunnova Energy, highlighting key consumer rights issues. My piece aims to share my personal experience and spark a broader conversation about consumer protection in the industry. I hope it can inspire others to advocate for better practices. I would appreciate it if you could reconsider the draft, as it aligns with the growing demand for ethical standards in solar energy.

When I first considered going solar, I was excited about the promise of savings, environmental benefits, and a long-term investment in clean energy. Sunnova’s sales pitch caught my attention: an enticing promise of saving $700 in the first year. It sounded too good to pass up, and I was ready to spread the word about this amazing opportunity to my friends and neighbors. I even asked Sunnova for a sales presentation deck to promote their product in my community. Little did I know that very presentation would later become the foundation of my case against them.

Predatory Contract only benefit Sunnova

The Problem

After the initial installation, my enthusiasm for solar energy quickly turned into frustration. Despite promises of significant savings, my electricity bills remained higher than expected. The inflated calculations used by Sunnova to justify their projections seemed, at best, misleading. To add insult to injury, a snowstorm damaged parts of deck ,deck furniture, and safety became a concern. I was told that repairs — to the tune of $1,218 — would be my responsibility.

The Reality Behind the Numbers

As time went on, the $700 savings promised by Sunnova turned out to be based on misleading and erroneous calculations. Their projections were far from accurate, and instead of savings, I found myself facing unexpected costs and challenges. It was a bitter pill to swallow, realizing that the trust I had placed in Sunnova’s assurances had been misplaced.

The Unexpected Snowfall Problem

Living in Illinois, snow is a part of life, but I never expected that my solar panels would create additional hazards. Snow and ice sliding off the panels caused significant damage to my outdoor furniture and raised serious safety concerns. I worried not only about the damage to my property but also about the potential for bodily harm to my family and visitors. When I brought these issues to Sunnova’s attention, they dismissed my concerns outright. They denied any responsibility for the damage or the safety risks caused by the falling snow and ice.

A Costly “Solution”

Desperate to protect my property and loved ones, I asked Sunnova to address the issue of snow damage. Their response? A suggestion to install a snow guard — at my expense. The cost? $1,218. It felt like an insult. Why should I bear the burden of fixing a problem their system created? This was not the fair and responsible solution I had hoped for.

Link to published article : Illinois Homeowner Seeks Resolution

My Complaint with BBB

I turned to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for assistance. Here is an excerpt from my original complaint:

Breach of Contract
SUNNOVA has breached our agreement in several ways:
1. Billing discrepancies: I am being charged more than the agreed-upon monthly payment of $127.
2. Failure to deliver savings: The promised cost savings from the solar installation have not materialized, leaving me financially worse off.
3. Safety neglect: SUNNOVA has failed to ensure the safety of the installation, leading to damage and risks that they are responsible for addressing.
These breaches violate both the lease agreement and consumer protection laws under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.

Attempts to Resolve the Issue
I have made multiple attempts to resolve these issues with SUNNOVA, but they have not provided a satisfactory solution. I have formally requested:
• Adjustment of my monthly payments to the originally agreed $127.
• Application of the $15 monthly credit.
• A safety inspection and a mitigation plan to address the dangers posed by the panels, particularly during winter months.
Despite these efforts, SUNNOVA has largely ignored my concerns, leaving me with no option but to seek assistance through BBB.

Filing this complaint was a necessary step, but I soon realized it wouldn’t be enough on its own.

Original sales deck : Sunnova calculation was inflated vs Actual

The Predatory Contract’s Escape Clause

Frustrated and feeling trapped in a contract that seemed increasingly predatory, I decided to ask Sunnova for a buyout offer. Surely, there had to be a way to part ways amicably and put this ordeal behind me. Their response left me stunned: an inflated buyout cost of $35,776. The number seemed arbitrary and excessive. No line items or breakdown of costs. It was designed to discourage any attempt to exit the contract.

A Call for Fairness and Accountability

I’ve documented these struggles not to attack Sunnova but to raise awareness about the challenges and pitfalls of their business practices. It’s disheartening to see a company fail to stand by its promises and dismiss legitimate concerns of its customers. I believe in a win-win approach, where both parties benefit, but this experience has been anything but.

What I’m Doing Now

Out of frustration and a sense of responsibility to warn others, I’ve started sharing my story on Medium and social media. My goal is to shed light on the issues I’ve faced, hold Sunnova accountable, and advocate for better consumer protection in the solar industry. I’ve also opened a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and will continue to document this journey in real time.

Crafting a Fair Buyout Offer

To counter Sunnova’s inflated buyout price, I conducted my own analysis. Here’s how I arrived at a fair figure:

  1. Depreciation: The system, initially valued at $30,000, depreciated by 4% in the first year, reducing its value to $28,800.
  2. Federal Tax Credit: As the buyer, I’d be entitled to a 30% tax credit, amounting to $9,000.
  3. Repair Costs: The snow guard repair costs of $1,218 should be deducted from the buyout price.
  4. Outstanding Bills: I included my current accumulated bill of $1,013.27.
  5. Proposed Buyout Offer: $19,595.27

Sunnova, It’s Time to Step Up

Sunnova has a chance to prove they stand by their customers and not just their contracts. By addressing these glaring issues head-on — misleading calculations, safety concerns, and inflated buyout costs — they have the opportunity to show they value integrity and transparency. Anything less than real action will only solidify their reputation as prioritizing profit over people.

This is Sunnova’s moment to turn things around. They can transform this situation into a win-win — restoring trust, improving customer satisfaction, and demonstrating that renewable energy companies can truly stand behind their promises. Ignoring this will only further expose their lack of accountability and drive away future customers.

If you’ve faced similar frustrations with Sunnova or have advice on navigating these issues, I urge you to reach out. Let’s ensure that renewable energy fulfills its promise of progress — not deception and exploitation. There should be consumer laws protecting customers against large corporations and predetory contracts.

Follow my journey and share your thoughts on my blog: https://rebrand.ly/Predatory-Solar.

Together, we can demand better. Contact me at: PredatorySolar@outlook.com.

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