Solar power

Today a man came to the house and pitched his company’s solar panel ideas to my wife and me. He worked from a memorized script and used a small laptop to show videos and numbers. I became suspicious when he said his company, before even starting on installation of the panels, would remove our insulation and replace it with foam, would replace our water heater and would check and replace all windows that did not meet standards. When I brought up my thoughts, the man replied that he had not checked anything, and nothing would be replaced unless necessary.

After a time, my wife suggested that he get to the numbers and stop relying on his memorized script. The man was not pleased, but he sort of did as my wife suggested.

Bottom line: more than $56,000, a number his company would be more than happy to finance over a 20-year-period. I said, “I will be 93 when the note is paid off.” He paid no attention.

After a time of more numbers presentation, I said, “So if we write you a check for $56,000, we will never again pay a penny to the electric company?”

“That’s right,” he said.

I said, “I don’t believe it.” And I don’t.