Beware of Solar Scams

The popularity of solar has attracted some aggressive sales companies that can mislead homeowners into signing expensive or high-interest contracts.

DON’T fall for scams

Watch out for these red flags:

Online ads that say “free solar” or claim that the government or local utilities will pay for your system
Aggressive door-to-door sales tactics
Claims of “free” or “zero-out-of-pocket” solar installations
Offers with tight deadlines—requiring a quick decision that prevents fact-checking—and pressure to sign a contract quickly
Door-to-door salespeople who can’t clearly state which company they work for, or who claim they represent your electric utility or Energy Trust. (Energy Trust does not conduct door-to-door sales but some of our solar trade allies do.)
Installers claiming that state regulations require a utility to encourage installation of solar energy to avoid fines
Vague language about cost and benefits
Claims that overstate future utility prices
Promises that solar will eliminate your electric bill

When shopping for solar, make sure you take these steps:

Use an Energy Trust solar trade ally to install your system.
Use a legitimate platform like the Energy Trust website when requesting bids and sharing information.
Do your research and get two to three competing bids so you can understand your options.
Carefully review costs and financing before signing a contract. Some solar sales organizations work with financing companies that charge high interest rates and fees, which may not be clearly stated. Ask your contractor for a complete breakout of financing costs and other fees. If the contractor is unable to disclose financing costs, ask them for the cash price without financing.
If a contractor claims to be working with your utility, a government entity or Energy Trust, call or email that organization to verify the claim.
Check with a tax professional to confirm you are eligible for any current tax credits for solar or battery storage.

We’re here to explain the process and benefits. Call us at 1.877.777.4018 or send us an email at solar@energytrust.org.