‍"I believe in clean energy. I do, I do. And I also believe in the reduction of bills that are way too high right now. And I'm already seeing a little progress—and it's just been installed for about a month and a half." —Dr. Dianne Nicome, owner, Happy Hearts Day Care

This April, our team went to visit business owner Dr. Dianne Nicome in Brooklyn to talk about her decision to install solar panels on her home.We wanted to learn more about why she decided to go solar, why she chose Mpower Solar as her home solar installer, and what the process was like for her. We were also curious to hear how much she’s saved on her Con Edison bill since her system was activated. 

Read on to learn more about her solar journey.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Tell us about yourself and your neighborhood.‍

My name is Doctor Dianne Nicome, and I live [on] Quincy Street, Brooklyn, New York, in the Bed-Stuy area. And I have been here for 27 years. When we first came, it was a terrible neighborhood. There were gunshots every night and stuff like that. A lot of abandoned buildings. But over the years, I've seen much progress. And through prayer and community outreach—not only myself, but the neighborhood block association and so on—the neighborhood has seen great changes. And it's a pleasure to live here.

That's amazing. I'm glad that things are slowly becoming better and better. Tell us a little about what you do at Happy Hearts.

This is Happy Hearts—where the kids are happy, healthy, well-trained, and well educated. Actually, it wasn't my plan to do daycare. I wanted to do an employment agency, 25 years ago. But someone told me, 'The Lord wants you to take care of the children.' And I obeyed. And the rest is history. We educate them. We teach them good morals and stuff like that. We do homework tutoring. And it's been a wonderful journey for 25 years and continuing.

When did you first start thinking about installing solar panels, and why?

I actually started thinking about installing solar panels in my home two to three years ago. Someone came around and they told us about it—the clean energy, the reduction in electricity costs and stuff like that. And we were impressed. However, when we put in the application at the time, we were rejected because the credit was not [high] at the time. But my husband and I decided we would work on our credit—not only for solar but other reasons as well. And we worked and worked and worked. And here we are today.

What was it that made you choose Mpower Solar specifically?

The thing that really touched me is the young man who came to tell me about this particular company. His name is David, and he was so pleasant. He was so engaging. He was so humble. I just love David. I even gave him a copy of my book because he was just so humble and so sweet. He convinced me—I probably did it at the time because of David. I said to myself, 'He's so sweet, he's going to get this sale today.’

So you’re an author! What's your book called?

His New Wine. It's on Amazon and other places.

Wow! Very cool. So, okay, you mentioned that the person that came to visit your home really helped you make that decision?

Yes. And then he put me on to someone called George. George called and there was a ring of honesty in George. Let me tell you about George—George has one of the calmest spirits that I've ever encountered. He has actually helped keep me calm.

And there was another lady called Roxane, I think, who called for me to send in the documents—the W-2, the 1040 and stuff. 

Professionalism all the way down the line. And this is what impressed me because I'm a businesswoman. I've been in business for many years, and I know what good business ethics should look like.

How was the process from signing to installation?

I remember the workmen showing up on time for the most part, but if they couldn't make it, someone would call. Either George would call, or someone else, and they would say, 'They're twenty minutes away,' or 'They couldn't make it can we reschedule for two hours down the road?' That impressed me because I'm very straightforward, and I would tell you if I'm not happy.

When they came, they took care of their business. If they had to be in the basement, they were there. If they had to be on the roof, they were there. They worked. They cleaned up after themselves. They were polite. We could have gone out and left them because it was no problem at all.

It actually took a couple of months simply because of the permits and all of that. They would always send me a copy of the emails so that I could see where they were at any one point in time. I knew when the Department of Buildings was giving trouble. I knew when they had to reapply for another permit. They kept me informed. I have copies of all the emails, and they took care of everything.

We understand there was some additional work done on the roof?

The roof needed some work, and they took care of the roof for no cost. No cost! And then they began the solar. And that was such a blessing—my husband and I, we really appreciate it. It was leaking. We had a miserable leak that kept recurring no matter what was done. During the winter the materials would expand, and during the summer it would crack. They were able to find it and fix it. George told me, 'We would not charge you,' and they didn't.

Are you seeing any savings from your solar panels yet?

I'm already seeing a reduction. Very slight, but it's hopeful. And it's just been installed for about a month and a half. I already did see a small dip in the bill and I said, 'Okay, not bad at all.' When I put the amount that I was paying to Con Edison at the time together, and I compared it to what would happen eventually, it was really worth it. Because if you're paying close to $500 a month—as we do, because of the daycare and stuff like that—then with the solar, eventually it's worth the risk. It's worth taking the chance.

What would you tell someone who is on the fence about solar?

I would tell them that clean energy is the way of the future. Whether we like it or not. Being able to breathe clean air is the way of the future. 

I would also tell them that they should talk to me, and I would recommend Mpower. Because there are a lot of people who have called me about solar, but something about this company said, 'Go for it.' 

My husband and I made a comparison and we realized that further on down the line—let's say five years down the road—we would definitely see the advantages of having chosen solar, not to mention the clean energy, which is extremely important for the future. 

Yes, it's a win-win ultimately. I couldn't lose at all. And this is just exactly how I feel about it.