Why do some homeowners decide to go solar even if they could simply keep paying the utility company?

In this Big Dog Solar customer testimonial, one homeowner explains that his decision came down to two things: wanting to be more self-sufficient and wanting greater control over what he pays for electricity.

He points out that utility bills can change based on how much energy a household uses, and he didn’t like the idea of paying higher rates as his consumption increased. For him, solar offered a way to produce more of his own electricity and reduce his dependence on utility power.

He also addresses a common question from neighbors: why install solar when winter is coming? His answer is that a properly designed system may be able to produce excess electricity during sunnier periods and, depending on the utility’s billing or credit program, those credits can help offset electricity used during lower-production months.

The customer also highlights something he values about Big Dog Solar itself: authenticity. In his experience, the team was genuine and straightforward about what they said they would deliver.

As he puts it, there’s really only one bad time to go solar: “when the sun falls out of the sky.”

People are always selling something, and there are very few people who are genuine — where what they say is what it is.

That’s what I like about the boys at Big Dog.

[Music]

I went solar because I think being self-sufficient is a big deal.

If you look at your power bill, the people who use the least amount of power get charged less. Period.

For me, I just can’t stand getting charged more than the minimum, so I went solar.

Some of my neighbors have asked me, “Why would you put in solar panels going into the winter?”

The reality is, if you get the right system and your utility allows you to bank enough credits, you may be able to offset a lot of your winter electricity usage.

So I don’t even care about the snow.

There’s only one bad time to go solar: when the sun falls out of the sky.

‍