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How do you identify a solar panel company to avoid scams?
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- Deceptive Free Solar Panel Ads. If you’ve been exploring home solar options, you’ve likely encountered ads on platforms like Facebook or YouTube claiming free solar panels.
- False Urgency: Programs Ending Soon Claims. Beware of solar salespeople claiming that special programs are ending soon to pressure you into a quick decision.
- Utility Company Impersonation by Salespeople. Unfortunately, some solar salespeople impersonate utility company representatives, using misleading words to gain trust.
- Immediate Sign-Up Pressure: Limited-Time Deals. Similar to the tactic of expiring programs, be wary of the solar panel companies to avoid scams where salespeople pressure you into signing immediately for a limited-time deal.
Aug 1, 2023 · Solar Scam 1: Misrepresentation of products and services. Solar Scam 2: High-pressure sales tactics. Solar Scam 3: Fake solar companies. Signs of a Potential Solar Scam. Steps to Avoid Solar Panel Scams. Resources and Support for Homeowners to avoid solar scams. Conclusion. Common Solar Scams in the UK.
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- What Is A Solar Panel Scam?
- Types of Solar Scams
- How to Avoid Solar Scams
- Is Anybody Combatting Solar Scams?
- Solar Panel Scam FAQs
According to Merriam-Webster, a scam is “a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation.” So, by definition, solar panel scams are operations that use deceptive acts to try to sell solar systems. Unfortunately, we have to use this broad definition because there are a handful of different types of solar panel scams floating around the industry. So, let’...
There are several types of solar scams that range from slightly dishonest to borderline predatory. Let’s start with the one I’m sure we’ve all seen on Facebook and YouTube: “Free solar panels.”
Scams are a blight on the solar industry, but that doesn’t mean home solar itself is a scam. Here are some tricks to avoiding solar scams, finding reputable installers, and enjoying the benefits of home solar.
If you’re waiting for a massive coordinated campaign to eradicate solar scams, don’t hold your breath. However, that doesn’t mean nothing is being done to combat solar scams. Rather than playing the whack-a-mole game of identifying and stopping scams, the industry is focused on building a more transparent marketplace and empowering homeowners. In p...
Are solar panels a scam?
There are undoubtedly scams to be aware of in the solar industry. However, that does not mean the entire concept of home solar is a scam. When installed by a reputable solar company, home solar can provide substantial energy cost savings and carbon emission reductions. Always get multiple quotes and thoroughly vet solar installers before investing in home solar.
Is free solar panels a scam?
Free solar panels are indeed a scam. This deceptive marketing tactic is often used to promote solar leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs), which come with long contracts and monthly payments that escalate over time. Calling a solar lease or PPA “free solar” would be like saying you got “free bowling shoes” even though you paid $30 to go bowling and had to return them when you were done.
How can I avoid solar panel scams?
Getting multiple quotes and thoroughly vetting installers is the best way to avoid solar panel scams. You can also use solar.com to compare quotes from our network of thoroughly vetted installers. Our vetting process includes an analysis at each company’s financial standing and fewer than 30% of the installers that apply to join the solar.com network are accepted. This strict process brings trust, transparency, and peace of mind to our marketplace.
- Ads that say solar panels are free. If you’ve been looking for home solar at all, you’ve almost certainly seen the ads on Facebook or YouTube that promise “free solar panels.”
- Claims that there are “special programs ending soon” This is a major tactic scammy solar salespeople use to make you think you are running out of time to sign a contract.
- Salespeople pretending to be from the utility company. It is a sad fact of the solar industry that some salespeople travel through neighborhoods knocking on doors dressed in a way or using certain words and phrases that make them seem like official representatives of the utility company.
- Offers of a “limited-time deal” that goes away if you don’t sign immediately. Similar to the imaginary “special programs” discussed above, some salespeople try to tell homeowners that a “limited-time deal” is only available if the customer signs that day.
- Rebecca Brill
- Door-to-Door Sales. Door-to-door sales are innately pushy, and an aggressive salesperson is always a bad sign in business. Door-to-door salespeople are usually trying to make a quick buck and may rush along your decision-making process by making elaborate promises.
- Time-Sensitive Deals. Whether it’s door-to-door or online, a forceful salesperson might inform you that a certain deal, like a financing rate or an incentive program, will only remain available for a short period of time (think a matter of days, or even hours).
- Offering Products From a Single Brand. There is plenty of diversity in the world of solar panels, with ample brands to choose from based on your needs, your price range and the architecture of your home.
- Claims About Solar Tax Credit. Many solar panel companies will claim to potential customers that the federal solar tax credit will soon be eradicated. As a matter of fact, the federal solar tax credit currently sits at 30% and will remain as such until 2032.
Aug 24, 2021 · When we shared these with solar panel trade association Solar Energy UK, it warned that these could be dubious reasons that a cold-calling company may use to try to mis-sell to homeowners. It's very unlikely that a company would be able to monitor your solar panels remotely, nor tell without knowledge of your system whether it presents any ...
Dec 8, 2023 · 1. Verify Accreditation and Certification: One of the first steps in spotting a solar scam is to check for the accreditation and certification of the solar company. In the UK, legitimate solar installers should be accredited by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).
