[Laker14]

I am looking for feedback from folks who have participated in the solar panel project that SECO and Freedom Pro are hawking here in TV.

Specifically I am interested in hearing from people who have actually had the solar panels installed, and are living with the system.

I am also interested in hearing from those who have heard the entire spiel of how the program works, and what specific issues they had with the program that steered them away from participating.

I would prefer NOT to hear general opinions of solar panels, solar energy, etc. I would like to keep the discussion specific to this particular program, SECO-Freedom Pro as it is being marketed to us here in TV,
and from people who have taken the time to hear the full program, have made an informed decision specific to the program, positively or negatively.

[Bill14564]

Does SECO promote or endorse this program or is Freedom using SECO’s name in order to sound more legitimate?

Freedom’s website mentions SECO.

SECO’s website does not mention Freedom as far as I can tell.

[Laker14]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Does SECO promote or endorse this program or is Freedom using SECO’s name in order to sound more legitimate?

Freedom’s website mentions SECO.

SECO’s website does not mention Freedom as far as I can tell.

Very good question, and I'm trying to figure that out as well.

The format is this so far: someone knocks on your door and starts talking, rather quickly, about our new bi-directional meters, and it immediately becomes unclear exactly who he represents, and I suspect that's intentional.

This person is not "selling" anything in the sense that he's not offering any paperwork or contracts or pressing you into signing any agreements BUT, he is pressuring you into giving him some available appointments times SHOULD we get a call back from the company (I assume that's Freedom Pro), which may or may not happen depending upon whether they think they can produce enough energy from our specific location.

From what I could gather, all we get from letting them fill our roof with panels is some offer to lock in a lower rate. It didn't sound to me like we own any of the juice they produce. That goes back via the bi-directional meter, to SECO, and Freedom gets that money. We just get a slightly better rate on the juice we use.

That's what I think. I haven't seen any paperwork, and I am expecting a call back, but I'm not sure I want to even spend the time.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Laker14

Very good question, and I'm trying to figure that out as well.

The format is this so far: someone knocks on your door and starts talking, rather quickly, about our new bi-directional meters, and it immediately becomes unclear exactly who he represents, and I suspect that's intentional.

This person is not "selling" anything in the sense that he's not offering any paperwork or contracts or pressing you into signing any agreements BUT, he is pressuring you into giving him some available appointments times SHOULD we get a call back from the company (I assume that's Freedom Pro), which may or may not happen depending upon whether they think they can produce enough energy from our specific location.

From what I could gather, all we get from letting them fill our roof with panels is some offer to lock in a lower rate. It didn't sound to me like we own any of the juice they produce. That goes back via the bi-directional meter, to SECO, and Freedom gets that money. We just get a slightly better rate on the juice we use.

That's what I think. I haven't seen any paperwork, and I am expecting a call back, but I'm not sure I want to even spend the time.

Will this company install solar panels on a house that does not have SECO Electric? SECO is not the only power company in The Villages.

One question I have never been able to get an answer to is, "when you have a roof leak, who will repair it"? I doubt that a roofer will touch a house that has solar panels.

[bopat]

I don’t think seco would go door to door here.

[villagetinker]

Ask for an EXACT copy of the contract, then look very carefully at it specifically look for the possibility of a lien against your house, the length of the contract, the ability to cancel the contract, etc. Some of the local (Orlando) television stations have done investigations on these types of programs, they may have contacts to help reviewing the legal aspects. Check with Seniors vs crime and the BBB for complaints against the company. Call SECO and specifically ask about their involvement in this program, if SECO claims no involvement, RUN away from this.

[USOTR]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Does SECO promote or endorse this program or is Freedom using SECO’s name in order to sound more legitimate?

Freedom’s website mentions SECO.

SECO’s website does not mention Freedom as far as I can tell.

Call SECO and confirm they are involved. I suspect they are NOT...

[Rocksnap]

Ironically, NOT a lot of solar installed in TV. You would think that the Sunshine state would be loaded with solar, but it’s not. That alone speaks volume.
I looked into solar. But my electric bill doesn’t justify it. Not to mention all the nuances that must be dealt with over the years. I don’t want a lot of potential headache. Especially years down the road. IMO, solar installed Fla should be installed in the ground, not on a roof.

[RoboVil]

Originally Posted by Rocksnap

Ironically, NOT a lot of solar installed in TV. You would think that the Sunshine state would be loaded with solar, but it’s not. That alone speaks volume.
I looked into solar. But my electric bill doesn’t justify it. Not to mention all the nuances that must be dealt with over the years. I don’t want a lot of potential headache. Especially years down the road. IMO, solar installed Fla should be installed in the ground, not on a roof.

There is the solar flower, officially a smartflower which is cosmetically nice, very efficient, and don't have to worry about roofing issues since it is ground based. I am sure TV would never allow it though.
The Solar Flower You Need to Experience — SmartFlower

[Mrfriendly]

Originally Posted by Laker14

Very good question, and I'm trying to figure that out as well.

The format is this so far: someone knocks on your door and starts talking, rather quickly, about our new bi-directional meters, and it immediately becomes unclear exactly who he represents, and I suspect that's intentional.

This person is not "selling" anything in the sense that he's not offering any paperwork or contracts or pressing you into signing any agreements BUT, he is pressuring you into giving him some available appointments times SHOULD we get a call back from the company (I assume that's Freedom Pro), which may or may not happen depending upon whether they think they can produce enough energy from our specific location.

From what I could gather, all we get from letting them fill our roof with panels is some offer to lock in a lower rate. It didn't sound to me like we own any of the juice they produce. That goes back via the bi-directional meter, to SECO, and Freedom gets that money. We just get a slightly better rate on the juice we use.

That's what I think. I haven't seen any paperwork, and I am expecting a call back, but I'm not sure I want to even spend the time.

Exactly my experience when a young man rang our doorbell to explain solar. Very nice and cordial young man.

[dougawhite]

Run Forrest, Run!

[bopat]

Originally Posted by RoboVil

There is the solar flower, officially a smartflower which is cosmetically nice, very efficient, and don't have to worry about roofing issues since it is ground based. I am sure TV would never allow it though.
The Solar Flower You Need to Experience — SmartFlower

That looks a lot like the huge satellite dish I used to have in my backyard back in the late 1970s

[Bay Kid]

The last thing I want is holes in my roof.

[jimmy o]

Originally Posted by Laker14

I am looking for feedback from folks who have participated in the solar panel project that SECO and Freedom Pro are hawking here in TV.

Specifically I am interested in hearing from people who have actually had the solar panels installed, and are living with the system.

I am also interested in hearing from those who have heard the entire spiel of how the program works, and what specific issues they had with the program that steered them away from participating.

I would prefer NOT to hear general opinions of solar panels, solar energy, etc. I would like to keep the discussion specific to this particular program, SECO-Freedom Pro as it is being marketed to us here in TV,
and from people who have taken the time to hear the full program, have made an informed decision specific to the program, positively or negatively.

SECO is not hawking this product. If that guy told you that he’s twisting the facts (lying)

[MrFlorida]

A friend had them installed on the roof, the wind from one of our hurricanes got under it, and lifted his roof up, causing major damage .
I would not want them here in Florida.