Beware Joe the solar sales bro, and other tips on buying residential panels

Plus, how e-bikes are dwarfing EVs in fossil-fuel savings.

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How a guy with a bad dye job tried to sell me on solar

About five years ago, solar panels started going up in the neighborhood surrounding our weekend getaway in Connecticut. And being the environment-concerned person I am, I decided to look into whether I should join the club. I also was seeing incentives — from governments and companies — meant to encourage us.

So I called a couple of numbers on one of the flyers that had come in our mail. After leaving a message at one of them, I got a call. “This is Joe from So-and-So Solar,” said a jolly voice. “How can I help you?”