The rain was rhythmically tapping against the window, setting the tempo for the evening’s symphony. Inside, the room glowed warmly from the chandelier above, the air filled with the tantalizing scent of roasting chicken and baked potatoes.

Angelina, the host for the night, sat at the head of the table, joined by her two closest friends. Lisa, the perpetual skeptic, sat to one side, scrutinizing everything with a questioning gaze. On the other side sat Tom, the charming and humorous neighbor from across the street, always armed with a witty response or a clever anecdote.

Dinner was a hearty affair, with conversation flowing as smoothly as the wine. However, as the dishes were cleared and dessert was served, the discussion took a more serious turn. Angelina, furrowed brow revealing her concern, shared her worries about her rising utility rates. Her voice resonated with frustration as she spoke about her company not giving her a raise, and her unsuccessful attempts to renegotiate her utility costs.

Lisa, ever the defender of the status quo, dismissed her concerns. Tom, however, listened quietly before finally leaning back in his chair and asking, “Angelina, have you ever considered talking to an energy consultant? They could help you find efficiencies and even recommend a good solar installer.”

Lisa, being a perpetual questioner, voiced her skepticism. “Angelina, I just don’t see the point of switching to solar. It’s expensive, and you never really know if it’s worth it.”

Tom, eyes twinkling with mischief, countered, “Lisa, I’ve got to say, my experience with solar has been nothing short of amazing. The savings alone are well worth it.”

As the friends debated, the wind outside intensified, howling like a restless spirit through the trees. Rain pelted the windows, casting eerie shadows that danced on the walls. Suddenly, the room was plunged into darkness as the power went out, leaving them with only the flickering light from the lightning outside.

Angelina’s daughter, Emily, burst into the room, her voice trembling with urgency. “Mom, I have to finish my school project tonight! What am I going to do?”

Tom glanced out the window, noticing his house still aglow with warm light. “Hey, why don’t you all come over to my place? I’ve got power, thanks to my solar panels and battery backup.”

Hesitant, Angelina and her family, along with Lisa, ventured into the storm, seeking refuge in Tom’s inviting home. As the children settled down with their laptops, the familiar hum filling the air, the adults continued their conversation.

Lisa, her skepticism undeterred, raised an eyebrow. “Tom, you must be spending a fortune on those batteries.”

With a chuckle, Tom leaned back in his armchair. “You know, Lisa,” he began, amusement in his voice, “it’s quite ironic. Here you are, skeptical about solar, yet you’re reaping its benefits. You’re sat here, questioning the very energy that’s keeping this room lit during a blackout. And here’s the real kicker, you’re defending the utility company when, at this very moment, during a power outage, you couldn’t even log onto your computer to complain to them about the service you’re paying for but not receiving.”

“As for the cost, I spend the same as I used to on my utility bill. My lights stay on when the power’s out, and my rates, they’re frozen… ” With a sly smile, Tom continued, “…frozen solid just like your house was in the last winter storm we had where you lost power. I bet your utility company still wanted their money though, didn’t they?”

The room fell silent, the air heavy with a tangible tension. Lisa, taken aback, opened her mouth to retort, but was interrupted by a sudden, brilliant flash of lightning. The large bay window was illuminated with a blinding, momentary light, followed by a thunderous boom that seemed to rattle the very foundation of the house.

“Oh, heavens!” Lisa gasped, clutching her chest.

Unfazed, Tom erupted into a hearty laugh. “Talk about dramatic timing!” he chuckled. “I wonder if that was a sign from the utility gods, eh Lisa?”

Just then, a fluffy golden retriever came barrelling into the room, startled by the thunder. He made a beeline for Tom, jumping onto his lap and nuzzling against him, seeking comfort. Tom, still chuckling, reached down to pat his dog, his hand running through the dog’s soft, warm fur.

He looked back up at Lisa, his eyes twinkling with a mix of humor and confidence. “You see, Lisa, my expenditure on solar is actually a tad less than what I was shelling out on my old utility bills. It’s fixed, much like my mortgage – never rising, never surprising.” The room, warmed by the glow of solar-powered lights and the soft, soothing rhythm of the rain against the window, felt impossibly cozy despite the storm raging outside.

Tom glanced at Lisa, his eyes sparkling with a challenge. “Alright, Lisa, let’s play a game. Let’s say both of us are selling our homes to Angelina. You write down all the advantages of your home, including your fabulous utility company that you’re so keen on defending, and list down all the associated costs. I’ll do the same.”

With a skeptical huff, Lisa jotted down her details on a piece of paper, sliding it over to Angelina once done. It read:

WITHOUT SOLAR:

HOME COST: $200,000

MORTGAGE: $720 per month

AVERAGE MONTHLY UTILITY: $150-$468

MORTGAGE + UTILITY: $870 – $1,188

UTILITY COST OVER 30 YEARS: $54,000 – $168,480

TOTAL 30 YR OPERATING COST: $254,000 – $368,480

COMMITMENT: Forever

FIXED RATE: No

CONVERT TO EQUITY: No

Tom slid his paper over next to Lisa’s and sat back, the grin never leaving his face. He looked from Angelina to Lisa, waiting for the inevitable realization to dawn.

Lisa, trying to maintain her skepticism, turned to Angelina. “Well, Angelina, if you look at the numbers here, my monthly utility varies between $150 to $468 but my home only costs $200,000 and the mortgage per month is $720.”

Tom interjected, “So to live there costs $720 plus $150- $468 a month…. That’s a variable total of $870 – $1,188 And how long are those utility payments, Lisa?”

“What do you mean ‘how long?'” She responded.

“Well, your mortgage is for 30 years, but when does your last utility payment occur?” Tom asked.

Lisa, now understanding the point of the question, answered, “The utility cost commitment is… well, forever, and unfortunately, the rates aren’t fixed.”

“Exactly,” Tom replied, his voice calm and confident. “And your utility costs don’t convert to equity. You own your home, sure, but you’re essentially renting your utilities. Let’s take a look at my numbers.”

Tom then, with a confident flourish, scribbled down his own details:

WITH SOLAR INSTALLED:

HOME COST: $225,000

MORTGAGE: $809 per month

AVERAGE MONTHLY UTILITY: $0

MORTGAGE + UTILITY: $809

UTILITY COST OVER 30 YEARS: $0

TOTAL 30 YR OPERATING COST: $225,000

COMMITMENT: None

FIXED RATE: Yes

CONVERT TO EQUITY: Yes, Built-In ($25,000)

He turned to Angelina. “With property tax exempt solar installed, my home’s doesn’t cost more, it’s valued more at $225,000”. 

Tom leaned in, his eyes gleaming. “The real kicker here, Angelina, is that every payment I make is towards building equity. I have a fixed rate, and I have no utility cost commitment. In essence, I’m not just a homeowner, I’m a power owner. And let me tell you, it feels good.”

Lisa huffed, but Angelina looked intrigued. “And what about solar with a loan, Tom?”

Next, Tom detailed the comparison if solar was installed with a loan:

WITH SOLAR LOAN:

HOME COST: $200,000

MORTGAGE: $720 per month

AVERAGE MONTHLY SOLAR: $109

MORTGAGE + SOLAR: $829

SOLAR COST OVER 30 YEARS: $25,461

TOTAL 30 YR OPERATING COST: $225,461

COMMITMENT: 25 Years

FIXED RATE: Yes

CONVERT TO EQUITY: Yes ($8000-$25,000)

Tom grinned. “Sometimes they’re even better. Solar loans are zero down and they are fixed cost, because you don’t put any money down there’s no payback. You simply start paying less than your utilities day one. The home cost stays the same at $200,000, and the mortgage is the same $720 per month. The average monthly solar cost is $109, bringing the total monthly payment to $829. Over 30 years, the total operating cost is $225,461. That’s still less than Lisa’s range, but the best part is that the commitment is just for 25 years, and again, every payment builds equity.”

Lisa, looking a bit desperate, blurted out, “But what if the solar panels break, Tom?”

Tom chuckled. “Lisa, solar panels are built to last. They come with a 30-year transferable warranty, and there’s even gap insurance included. It’s zero down, zero deductibles. You don’t pay for any parts and labor and it includes free shipping. And if that isn’t enough, Solarinsure Advantage steps in to cover 100% of the risk of your solar arrays for all mechanical and electrical failures, even beyond the manufacturers’ warranty. It’s quite the package, I assure you.”

Angelina looked convinced, and even Lisa, despite her stubborn skepticism, looked impressed. “Well, I… I suppose I wouldn’t mind having the number of that Energy Consultant, Tom.”