Comcast Flirts With Being a Solar Utility Comcast, ranked among the worst companies in any industry at customer service, is again flirting with getting into the energy business. The company this week announced that it's partnering with San Francisco-based Sunrun as its exclusive provider of solar panels, and will begin marketing and selling Sunrun services in select markets "later this year" as part of a 40-month partnership with the company.

Comcast justifies its interest in the solar power segment by citing a report that indicates rooftop solar is projected to be one of the fastest growing sectors in the energy industry, nearly tripling in size in the U.S. by 2025. "We believe the residential solar industry will continue to expand over the next decade as consumers look for more cost-efficient, independent and cleaner alternatives for their energy,” said Jon Kaplowitz, managing director and GM of new businesses for Comcast Cable, in a statement. “By working with Sunrun, Comcast can help customers take more control of the price they pay for energy, save them money and help contribute to cleaner communities.” Comcast has had an on again, off again relationship with being a (or partnering with an) energy utitlity, though the efforts traditionally don't amount to much. That has included an effort at one point to sell power as part of a bundle alongside broadband, voice and video services, a project Comcast discontinued several years ago. Comcast's biggest problem in expanding into energy is that it still hasn't quite mastered servicing the phone, broadband and cable TV customers it already has, consistently ranking among the lowest-ranked companies in terms of customer satisfaction, service and support. The company also has its hands full with a recent Comcast's biggest problem in expanding into energy is that it still hasn't quite mastered servicing the phone, broadband and cable TV customers it already has, consistently ranking among the lowest-ranked companies in terms of customer satisfaction, service and support. The company also has its hands full with a recent expansion into offering wireless service







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Most recommended from 35 comments



ptrowski

Got Helix?

Premium Member

join:2005-03-14

Woodstock, CT 27 recommendations ptrowski Premium Member For the love of all that is holy.... Just stick to what you should be doing, being a dumb pipe for my internet. I don't want to bundle cable, internet, fish bait, electric, and lawn mowing services in one bill.... iwinrar

join:2010-03-18 17 recommendations iwinrar Member Sure Like I'd let Comcast touch my roof. Nuggits

join:2008-10-03

Allston, MA 13 recommendations Nuggits Member "...Comcast can help customers take more control of the price they pay..." Riiiight. Just like how my internet bill doubled overnight in January after they announced bandwidth caps because their bandwidth meters are broken and there is no documented dispute process?



As much as I love solar power, I need fewer Comcast services in my life, not more.

tshirt

Premium Member

join:2004-07-11

Snohomish, WA 6 recommendations tshirt Premium Member This is just advertising for a "partner" SOLAR roofs are a 15-20-30 year finance contract obligation tied to the deed of your home.

a 40 month partnership is about advertising at best, and fly by night scam at worst.

Anon635b5

@paradisenetworks.net 5 recommendations Anon635b5 Anon Hidden fees? I'd be afraid to buy a $40,000 solar system from Comcast because they would probably have $10,000 in hidden below-the-line fees.



This may seem like a cheap-shot but I challenge anyone to show me a Comcast webpage that details the COMPLETE cost of various packages, box rentals AND other fees. CyberGuy

join:2006-08-21

Colbert, WA 4 recommendations CyberGuy Member Comcast and I parted ways in 2012 My wallet has never been happier!

davidc502

join:2002-03-06

Mount Juliet, TN 1 edit 3 recommendations davidc502 Member So reminds me of 30 Rock This so reminds me of 30 Rock where Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) was running GE (NBC) and got bought out by CableTown (Comcast), and they made microwave ovens.



It's like, how much stuff do you really want to be bad at?

ctaranto

join:2011-12-14

MA 3 recommendations ctaranto Member Introducing... Solar Caps. (tm) ctaranto Joe12345678

join:2003-07-22

Des Plaines, IL 3 recommendations Joe12345678 Member Like I whould want to rent solars cells and pay full price after a fire Like I would want to rent solar cells at cost that add's up over there price after 2-3 years and pay full price after a fire or hail damage on 3-4 year old ones.

mikesterr

join:2008-04-18

Sanford, FL 3 recommendations mikesterr Member Solar QI charging And then just like they did with their wireless routers when they turned on Hot Spots without customers permission. They can open up QI charging for devices without permission. People standing on your lawn for free Internet and charging.

Tekie

Needs More Coffee

join:2008-01-03

Colonial Heights, VA 3 recommendations Tekie Member Under the line fees Will their quoted price include these,

Cloudy day fee

Extra inverter fee

Backup battery depreciation fee

Bird pooped on our panel fee



anyone think of more?

Kett2000

Premium Member

join:2002-04-23

Lilburn, GA 2 recommendations Kett2000 Premium Member Comcast's Customer Service Blows It's been over 3 months since my service was installed and they won't bury the drop that is on my lawn. Over 15 phone calls and 6 escalation tickets over those 3 months and the darn cable is still on my lawn...