Solar developer pitches free rooftop panels to Fairmount Heights; residents raise questions about contracts and credit checks

Michael Volkane, a solar developer with Block Energy, told the Fairmount Heights Town Council on July 17 that his company can install rooftop solar panels for homeowners in the town at no upfront cost and that private investors would finance the installations by collecting Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs). He encouraged the council to host an informational session so residents — especially seniors — could meet the company and bring utility bills for a site assessment.

The council introduced the item after Treasurer Susan Walker invited Volkane to present. "I did take the time to make sure that everything was legit, make sure that they had a good track record," Walker said when introducing the presenter. Volkane told the council his model typically fronts installation costs, offers either a zero‑cost power‑purchase agreement (PPA) or a buyout option for homeowners, and can include roof replacement when inspections show a roof is not structurally fit for panels. "We can give them the free solar panels," Volkane said, adding that investors generally collect the SRECs that create the upfront financing.

Why it matters: rooftop solar can lower electricity bills and reduce fossil‑fuel use locally, but the financing structure affects long‑term value and control of the system. Council members pressed for clarity on who benefits from SRECs, timing for installation and consumer protections for homeowners who sign long contracts.

Council members asked how SREC revenue is allocated. "It's really the investors that are taking... the SRECs," Volkane said, and added that homeowners have an option to purchase the system if they choose. He warned that county permitting — electrical and building permits in Prince George's County — can take "60 to 120 days," and suggested starting permitting in winter with installations timed for summer performance.

Residents in the virtual audience raised trust concerns about door‑to‑door solicitations and credit inquiries. One longtime resident described a past sales encounter in which a company ran a credit check and said that experience ended the conversation. "If they're free, then why are you running my credit?" the resident asked. Volkane responded that his program does not run credit checks, that contracts include warranty and removal provisions, and that panels are typically covered by a 20‑year agreement after which homeowners can choose next steps.

The council did not take a formal vote on the proposal; instead it agreed to schedule a public evening session at town hall where Volkane will present details, accept questions and offer one‑on‑one appointments for residents to bring utility bills and review contracts. The session will allow staff to vet contractor claims, review written contracts and prepare any consumer‑protection guidance the town may provide.

Next steps: Council members asked staff to advertise an informational meeting and to collect further documentation on contract language, warranty terms, removal procedures and whether homeowners can purchase systems outright. "If people would just listen, it would make a lot of sense," Volkane said, but council members and residents agreed that a transparent, documented session is needed before any homeowner signs a long‑term agreement.