WALKERTOWN, N.C. — Crystal Nichols had never really thought about converting to solar energy. She was fine being connected to Duke Energy and getting her electricity through them. Then, on a Spring Day, all that changed.
“They (the solar company) came through the neighborhood with a couple of guys knocking on doors talking about solar,” Nichols said.
Within a few weeks, Nichols was the proud owner of 27 solar panels mounted to her roof.
“The sale went great; the paperwork was easy and fast,” Nichols said.
When she purchased the solar panels, Nichols was paying about $180 a month for electricity and was told that the cost would go way down. Nichols was excited to start her solar journey, but after getting the panels and power source installed, there was a glitch. The system didn’t work, and there was a connection problem.
“Nothing, nothing, couldn’t get any power,” Nichols said.
The solar company promised to resolve the issue quickly, but a week became two and then three. A month and then another and another passed, and the system was still not up and running.
“Getting a hold of someone was next to impossible,” Nichols said.
Not only was there an issue with getting the system up and running but Nichols was having to pay the leasing company almost $150 a month for a system that wasn’t working.
“I was making double payments every month to Duke and the solar company,” Nichols said.
After about five months and with a system that still wasn’t working Nichols reached out to WFMY News 2 for help.
“I didn’t know what else to do,” Nichols said. “I tried to get them to fix it for months.”
We contacted the company and spoke with a representative. We were told a member of their corporate team would investigate the matter and get back to us with some answers.
About two weeks later the company scheduled a technician’s visit to get the system up and running, finally. The technician was able to get the system connected and it started to generate power.
“I guess you calling them, (they) decided to do what they needed to do,” Nichols said.
The solar company also agreed to reimburse Nichols for six months’ worth of lease payments she made when the system wasn’t working.
“I’m very grateful for you guys help otherwise I don’t know how long it would have been,” Nichols said.