The problem is we have lots of legitimate, unannounced visitors. I have kids, so their friends will come over to play. Our neighbors sometimes drop by for a quick visit. And so on.
I’m unwilling to get something like Ring due to privacy (I don’t trust them), and I’m too lazy to configure something myself (planning to do it this summer, but I’ve said that for years).
So I answer the door. But now I just say we’re not interested, so it’s like a 10s conversation. If they have a clipboard, briefcase, or company uniform, I don’t let them speak, but I do at as politely as I can without wasting anyone’s time.
Act as your own GC
I actually plan to. I estimated my total install would cost something like $10-15k for the system I want. I’d get better panels and inverters than the junk those people pedal, and I’d do some of the work myself (I’d to electrical, but pay a professional to inspect and connect).
Every quote I’ve gotten has been well over $20k cash price, and even more with financing, so that’s a nope from me. If I invest that $20k, I’ll come out ahead vs solar, so it’s not worth it, especially with our low energy prices ($0.13/kWh). So I’ll reevaluate when my roof needs replacing in a few years.