Saugus sees sudden spike in solar installations

SAUGUS – Saugus is in the midst of a “solar boom,” according to building inspector Fred Varone, as more than 40 building permits have been filed in the last few months to add solar panels to homes around town.”This one here is a $29,000 solar system and they’re doing this for the people for nothing,” said Varone as he flipped through a stack of new permits. “Here’s another one, this one is for $14,000, this one is for $35,000 ?”A home on Parsons Avenue is having a $45,000 system installed while a $49,000 system is being installed on a home on Seagirt Avenue, according to town records.Varone said the spike in solar installations came out of nowhere.”This is all of a sudden,” he said. “This is all coming in at once and it’s happening monthly now. This solar energy is out of control.”Oceanview Avenue resident Daniel Ehlers said work was wrapping up on his solar array Friday afternoon, which he said took just four hours to install 11 panels.”It will generate 80 percent of what I’m currently using ?” he said.Ehlers said the panels will reduce his monthly bill by about $25 per month.”It adds up over time,” said Ehlers.But while the permit fees range from anywhere from $250 to $540, a permit to install a $720,000 system at Kohl’s Department Store on Route 1 could fetch the town a $17,000 fee.Vivint Solar, a Provo, Utah company, is the name listed on most of the permits, except for Kohl’s, which is being done by Pro-Tech Energy Solutions.Jason Deelstra, marketing director for Vivint, said representatives go door to door to install panels, which he said can work for up to 80 percent of homes.Deelstra said once the panels are installed, the resident pays Vivint for the portion of the energy generated by the panels, while the rest is paid to the regular utility. Deelstra said Vivint charges 12 cents per kilowatt hour.”We go door to door and provide this option for customers to be able to have solar installed at their home,” said Deelstra. “Solar can sometimes be a daunting thought ? We send out our consultants and they provide information on this option for these homeowners.”Sandra Tozza lives on Saugus Avenue and said she and her husband, James, are waiting for the electrical inspector to check out their system, which has 23 panels.”I can’t wait for it to start,” she said. “It’s in the back part of the house and it’s neatly done. They’re very efficient and they do a good job. The first year they said it’s going to be a little bit of savings, but not a lot. But as the years go on you start saving more. It’s for nothing. As far as I’m concerned, I’ve always wanted solar panels.”Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].