This November, our team went to visit homeowner Stephanie in Brooklyn to talk about her experience getting solar panels. 

We wanted to learn more about why she decided to go solar, why she chose Mpower Solar as her 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 Stephanie’s solar journey. This interview between Stephanie and our video producer, Karen, has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Can you introduce yourself?

I'm Stephanie Ferdinand. I live in Brooklyn, New York. Georgetown is the locality, not too far from Kings Plaza. I've been here going on four years now. I bought the house in ‘21. 

And you’re an accountant, is that right? 

Yes. I work from home. It's much easier, but I'm still a workaholic, though. I am thinking about vacation these days!

Us too! Where do you want to go? 

Somewhere warm. I'm from Trinidad, but I think I might run away for Carnival, which is in February. So who knows?  

What’s the neighborhood like? 

It's a nice neighborhood.It's quiet in the evening and I’m friendly with the neighbors—especially my neighbor next door. When I moved in, we did an exchange. We made bread and they gave us a stew.

Can you please tell me what inspired you to start exploring solar energy?

I'm into clean energy, right? I put in HVAC units because they’re energy saving. I also upgraded my windows and my doors to improve energy savings. I also buy organic and now we are doing composting. So I want to leave a clean footprint. 

Then I had a friend who got solar and he said, “Listen, you should look into it. It will reduce your electricity [bill].” 

Anything to save and reduce costs. I'm all for it. 

Why did you choose Mpower Solar as your solar installer over other options?

I chose Mpower Solar because they're personable and very knowledgeable. When the young lady came to me to introduce [solar] and spoke to me about it, she took her time and explained it. Even though I may have had a little issue with my credit, she was able to work something out for me. 

So, you felt comfortable with the process? 

There was no pressure at all. It was really a conversation about [how solar] works and how it would be helpful in terms of reducing my bill. And then from the [Mpower Solar] office, there was a young lady who also called me. She explained step by step exactly how things will go, how long it will take, and what to expect. So I didn't have any surprises whatsoever. 

Sometimes the other folks [from other solar companies], when I spoke to them, were a little pushy, you know, insistent. I did not feel that at all with Mpower Solar. I really love who I worked with. 

I'm very happy to hear that your experience has been really nice. What has been the best part of switching to solar energy?

The best part—the lowering of my Con Edison bill. 

I had been fighting with them for a long time. I had asked them to come and check [my usage]. My bill was ridiculous. For a single family I was almost paying $600 a month.

Since I had the solar panels I paid—I think last month was $200– and I think this month is like one [hundred] something. If I multiply my $300 or $400 monthly savings for 12 months—that's big savings for me. Makes my life easier. 

Wow. And you’re using the same amount of electricity as before? 

I haven't done anything different really. The only difference is the solar panels. I mean, I'm running my computers. I'm running the TVs, I'm running my lights. And the bill is so amazing. I'm happy to pay my bill. Peace of mind. So Mpower Solar saved the day for me—I could look at my bills and I can see the difference.

So those high Con Edison bills, those were taking a toll mentally for you? 

Oh, yes. Absolutely. I was stressed. I already have a lot of expenses. And to not have an understanding why your bill is going up so that you could correct it... It's not like back in the days I could light a candle or have a wood stove, you know what I'm saying? No, the utilities are important. We need them. So why is it that you have to choose between eating and paying your utilities?

That is stressful. Do you feel a little better now? 

Oh, yes. I'm in a much better place. [Solar] changes everything. Nobody should be stressed out around paying utilities. Nobody.  

It shouldn't be like that. 

It should not. Utilities should be affordable. And Con Edison is not very affordable. So if everyone could get solar panels—well they should look into it. 

Agree! I would love to hear a little more about the installation process. 

Well, they prep [the house] first. They informed me that they have to get everything approved by the Department of Buildings (DOB). So everything has to be wired correctly. They wanted to make sure that the electrical panel was correct and there was a clear area around it. 

So they inspected your electrical panel and then what?

I got a call from Natasha [at Mpower Solar] and she said, the guys are going to come measure the roof. And if there's anything that needs to be corrected on the roof, they will let me know and they will ask me for permission. Nothing was done without informing me.

And how was your roof?

She said the roof needed a little bit of repair. And there was one area—an area that has access to the roof—it was galvanized over. I like to hear the rain on it because it makes me think of home. But they said, we need to cover that because we need it flat. They sent me a picture and they asked me permission. I said, go ahead and repair it and we'll be fine. And so that was done. 

Once the roof and electrical were ready, what happened next?

They told me within a week or two weeks the guys are going to come and bring the panels. They asked, is there space for them to put it down? Then the next day they will send a crew to put them up. So I made a space—I told my neighbor we might need to share the driveway! So the guys came. They drove the truck up. They delivered the panels.

What was the installation day like? 

The gentlemen were very nice, very professional. They knew what they were doing. It was maybe four or five of them, I'm not sure. They didn't even take more than a day. And you didn't hear any kind of big bang, bang, bang, bang, right? No. They were very neat. That's important for me because I don't like dust [that comes from] construction. 

So I had to do absolutely nothing. I just had to be here really. And so then the guy came back and he said the DOB [who did a final inspection] said, everything is perfect. 

So then they turned the solar system on?

Yes. He said, you don't have to do anything. We will turn it on. So you'll get some emails from us and a follow up and that's it. I said, that's it? He said, yeah, that's it!

It’s a seamless, unintrusive experience. 

Love it. And are you happy with the results visually? 

I called everybody. I said, we got [solar] paneling! I'm showing off to everybody. It's not like, “it's ugly on my house.” It's very neat. They put a meter on the outside of the building right there. It's a nice gray box. 

How long did the process take? Since they came to visit you for the first time up until you had the panels?

I want to say, maybe a month or two months. First the inspections, right? Then they filed the permit. So it could have been a two week space when they waited for a permit to come through. And then once they did that, then the roof got fixed over a couple of days, I think 2 or 3 days for that. And installation was a day. 

It was quick. It was good. 

And you felt the communication was good?

It was really, really nice that the office called me about stuff. I was aware of everything. Every step of the way. They called me to let me know that they kept me informed.

We talked a bit about the two* tax incentives available for New Yorkers who go solar—the New York State and New York City tax rebates. Have you seen those come through yet for yourself? 

I got my solar in 2025. So my state rebate will be when I file taxes in January [2026]. And then Mpower Solar filled out the document for New York City [property tax] rebate. I didn't have to do anything. They did it. I have several [accounting] clients who did do solar and I was able to do the [state] rebate for them. You get either a bigger refund or less money you have to pay out. So it's a win-win. It makes going solar more affordable. 

Do you have any words of advice or encouragement for somebody that is maybe reading this or watching this video thinking, I want to go solar?

Yes. Do it. Do it, do it, do it, do it.  It's just it's so much more than just the panels. It's like a stress free life. Just being able to live your livelihood normally without having to worry about a $600 [Con Edison bill].

Any last words about your solar panel experience with Mpower Solar?

I felt taken care of by Mpower Solar. I felt taken care of. And that is something huge for me.

*Note: Stephanie was eligible for the Federal Solar Tax Rebate that expires at the end of 2025. All NYC homeowners going solar in 2026 and beyond are still eligible to qualify for the New York State and New York City rebates.