One Homeowner's four-year odyssey to solar success

Randy Harrison stands outside his farmhouse in Lincoln, Massachusetts, reflecting on a four-year journey that has finally led to solar panels on his roof. Now that his installation is complete, he’s most excited for one simple, symbolic moment: flipping the switch.

“The thing I’m looking forward to most once the system is installed is flipping the switch,” Randy said. “After that, I know I’ll generate my own power moving forward.”

For Randy, going solar was about more than saving money—it meant embracing sustainability, stabilizing his household energy costs, and preparing for the future.

Randy’s path to solar began in 2021–and it wasn’t easy.

“I made every mistake in the book,” he admitted. “The process to get here was unbelievable.”

In Lincoln, where heavy winter storms often knock down trees and cut power, reliability was a motivating factor to make a change. Randy had even considered a backup generator at one point. But when federal tax credits were prematurely cut this year, the urgency to make the leap to solar became clear.

What Randy didn't expect was how difficult it would be to find trustworthy partners in the solar industry.

"This [solar] business is an emerging business," Randy observed, drawing on his background as a marketing consultant. "So much of this industry is focused not on being easy to buy, but on being easy to sell. It's about making their sales numbers and hitting revenue targets—and the customer becomes a necessary evil. I really felt like a lamb ready for the slaughter."

Randy’s journey nearly took a wrong turn.

“I was in the process of concluding my first go-round with an installer, ready to sign the final paperwork, when my wife suggested we have someone take a second look,” Randy recalled.

A quick Google search led him to EnergySage—just in time. Randy submitted his nearly-signed solar agreement for review to Aliza, an EnergySage Energy Advisor, who identified a major problem.

“I found EnergySage, submitted my paperwork, and connected with Aliza, my Energy Advisor,” he said. “She’s been my guardian angel through this whole process.”

EnergySage’s advisors are unbiased, clean energy experts dedicated to helping homeowners make confident, informed decisions. Aliza’s review uncovered $8,000 in hidden financing fees buried in the fine print of Randy’s contract.

“The average cost per watt in my area was around $3. But in my agreement, it was closer to $6,” Randy said. “Aliza discovered an $8,000 finance fee that wasn’t transparent. Without her, I never would have known.”

That discovery reset Randy’s solar journey—but this time, he had the trusted guidance he needed with EnergySage.

"That was the beginning of what set me off on this journey: To find the trust I needed to make a major, significant improvement to my home," Randy added.

But trust wasn't just about finding the right installer—he also needed transparency in an area that had caused him the most confusion: financing.

For Randy, one of the most frustrating aspects of his solar journey was getting a straight answer to a simple question: "What will my monthly cost be when all is said and done?"

"That was the most important number for me to know," Randy explained. "With all the incentives, with the financing, with everything else—what will my monthly payment be, and how does it compare to my current energy costs?”

The answer should have been straightforward, but Randy discovered that many vendors made it unnecessarily complicated. Local installers would refer him to multiple financing options.

"To figure out the monthly number was a math exercise for an accountant, not for someone like me," Randy said. "That's where the national vendors had an advantage—they could instantly give you your monthly number. But as I learned with one vendor, that instant answer came with hidden costs."

The complexity wasn't accidental. Randy realized that some companies deliberately obscured financing details to facilitate sales, not to help customers make informed decisions. 

"So many vendors I spoke with couldn't clearly explain what I'd actually be paying each month. If you can't answer that basic question transparently, how can I trust you with a 20-year financial commitment?"

The breakthrough came when Randy's chosen installer, Second Generation Energy (SGE), offered financing through Atmos Financial—a relationship built on transparency rather than hidden fees.

"The installer had this relationship with a company they trusted, and that trust extended to me,” Randy said. “I knew exactly what the fees would be. There was a financing fee, but it was a lot less than others, and it was completely on the table–completely transparent."

Most importantly, there were no prepayment penalties after a certain period—crucial for Randy's plan to pay down the system in five years. 

"Four years ago, they couldn't offer this kind of transparent financing,” he added. “They can do it now. That was part of what made this the right time to move forward with Second Generation."

When reviewing bids through the EnergySage Marketplace, Randy appreciated seeing different equipment philosophies from each vetted installer.

“I was looking for a few different things in my solar installer,” Randy explained. “One was product knowledge. You need someone who understands how the equipment integrates together and lasts over time. The other piece was trust. I wanted a local company I could depend on.”

He ultimately chose Second Generation Energy, a Massachusetts-based installer. Every EnergySage installer is pre-screened to ensure they’ll provide homeowners with a trustworthy experience. They are rated based on their results, reputation, and responsiveness.

"Dave from Second Generation was a straight shooter," Randy added. "Over time, he and I built that trust. So I had [trust] with EnergySage, and then having that same trust extend to the installer—that was exactly what I needed."

Randy was also thinking ahead when sizing his system; he needed the system to be future-proofed for other potential clean energy additions like electric vehicles and heat pumps. As a result, SGE educated him on critical technical details, like the importance of choosing a 48-volt battery system over a 40-volt system to accommodate EV charging without shutting down his entire solar panel array.

"I would never have known about the voltage difference," Randy said, smiling. "That's where the trust with the installer comes in—to understand my needs and ensure I have a system that can accommodate future growth."

• System size: 10.5 kW 

• Panels: SunPower X21-350-BLK-E-AC  

• Inverter: Enphase Energy IQ7X-96-2-US 

Now, with solar panels on his roof and a solar battery in his basement, Randy is ready to lock in his energy costs and embrace a sustainable future. Reflecting on his journey, Randy describes the solar market as “the rootin’ tootin’ West.”

“There are so many sales pitches out there—it can be overwhelming. But with EnergySage, I finally found the trust I needed to make a major improvement to my home.”

Randy’s advice to other homeowners considering solar boils down to one word: trust.

"If you don't have trust, you need to find it,” he says. “Some people may find trust in working with a national vendor. For me, I needed individual attention for my specific needs."

Randy also emphasized the importance of having an unaffiliated advocate: 

"I would argue everybody needs an unaffiliated partner in this process. Having EnergySage in the mix is critically important—a resource that has the knowledge and insights, and is focused on you as a customer."

For Randy, the four-year journey was worth it to find the right partners and solution. His advice to friends considering solar is simple: 

"Run–don't walk–and contact EnergySage right away!"