All Forum Posts by: Laura Yoerger

How much is the monthly solar equipment fee? The next time the rental agreement comes up for renewal, the rent might be increased by an amount that covers the solar equipment fee.

There is a flat monthly rate of $75 plus a per kWh of energy created fee. So the total monthly bill varies. The last 2 bills were $130 & $123.

The tenants say that their electric bill is already higher than that each month and since theu also will never receive the credit for excess energy created, they believe it is illegal to be asked to pay the solar company fees also.

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Originally posted by @Jacob D Adamczak:

oh I see. Yes I don't think you can charge them for the excess energy generated it would have to cap off at the amount of their usage unless their lease had it written that they were to pay for excess production for the panels or they had requested the panels.

The lease only says that they are responsible for the utility bills.

The property manager being used had never encountered a solar powered home and just had the tenants sign a standard lease. The solar panels, lease fee, charge for energy created, etc...were not specifically addressed in the lease.

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Originally posted by @Jacob D Adamczak:

I would say yes, if they are responsible for utilities, including electricity, it doesn't matter where that comes from, they would be responsible as per your lease. If they were paying additional costs besides the electricity costs, then that would be outside of the scope of the current lease.

So they can be made to pay for the energy generated even though it is not actually energy they are using and they do not recieve the compensation for any credit that excess energy created causes? Solar City said that this credit was not transferable so PGE gave the credit for the energy produced to a low income family.

So in essence they are paying for all of the energy generated but if they do not use it all through PGE they lose that money since Solar City does not allow the transfer of this credit to them since they are not the original leasees.

That is what the tenants are balking at. They say that the solar panels are a home improvement and that since they do not even get any credit they should not be made to pay these fees.

They are saying that their lease just says that they are to pay the utility bills (which is true, there is nothing in the lease specifying the solar panel lease bill). And that “utility bills” mean they pay for what they use (i.e. trash services, water, gas, and electricity they actually consume). They say that it is not fair to try to make them also pay for the energy that the homeowner’s solar panels generate, especially when they do not even receive any credit for energy they pay for but do not use.

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Originally posted by @Earl Hatmaker:

Does your tenant receive a check if there is excess power produced? I doubt it). This sounds like something you the LL did to try and make an extra buck on a property. Did the plan not work?

What is the cost to "lease" the panels? What do you do when you decide to stop leasing? What is the damage that has been done to you house?

If they are not paying an electric bill and the cost of the "lease" is lower than a bill would be I would just build this into your rent price in the future. But as it has already been said, you need to be specific on your lease from the start.

Thank-you for your input Earl!

No the tenants do not recieve a check and apparently neither does the landlord, as Solar City does not allow the transfer of this credit. PGE just used the credit for a low income family.

But can the tenants be made to pay what Solar City charges for the energy that the solar panels generate?

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Originally posted by @Nathan Gesner:

I agree with @Russell Brazil. It sounds like your lease makes the tenant responsible for utility use, not the leasing of equipment. That's like charging them rent to use the house and then telling them they have to pay your mortgage, too.

Your lease should always be very clear about Tenant responsibilities so there's no confusion. If you want them to pay the equipment lease, that should be clearly stated or included as part of their rent.

Thank-you for your input Nathan!

I am still wondering if I can make them the monthly fee that Solar City charged me for the energy that the solar panels generate?

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Originally posted by @Jacob D Adamczak:

If I understand correctly, you are leasing the system and you get billed monthly for the cost of the panels, and the panels eliminate an electricity bill. The cost of the lease should be lower than what you would have originally paid for electricity each month. Therefore, SolarCity kind of becomes the new utility and since the fee should be lower, I see no reason why you wouldn't be able to pass that on or why they would question a lower cost of electricity

The panels do not eliminate the electric bill, just lower it during the sunny season here in the Portland, Oregon area.

And the credit I would have recieved for excess power generated was not transferable to the tenant, so PGE gave it to a needy family.

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What about what Solar City charges for the electricity generated?

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BTW - thank-you for the prompt reply, Mr. Brazil!

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So the Solar City charges would not fall under the “Utility” clause?

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We are in Washington County, Oregon.

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All Forum Posts by: Laura Yoerger

Laura Yoerger has started 3 posts and replied 31 times.

Post: Deferring costs of Solar Panels

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