How to Avoid Solar Scams

With the many perks that come from solar panels, it's no wonder so many homeowners are making the switch to solar energy. But that raises the question: How can you avoid falling victim to a solar scam artist when you have solar panels installed?

When it comes to money, no group of people is off-limits to a scam artist. Even people who are massively curbing their carbon footprint and enhancing their quality of life by going solar can be victims of a solar con artist.

While the vast majority of solar installers are upstanding citizens, bad actors lurk in every industry. Just a little knowledge about the sneaky tricks to look for will help you a lot in deciding on which solar installer to use.

Here are six categories to pay attention to when you upgrade your home to capture clean, inexpensive solar energy.

1. Don't Let Them Start Installing Your Solar Panels Without a Contract

No matter what your solar installer says, don't let anyone start work on your home without a contract in place. Starting work without a contract is a tactic that dishonest companies use to scam you into paying more than what was agreed upon.

Here's how the scam works.

The company will start the work and then refuse to finish until you've signed a contract. That contract will then have inflated prices and extra charges that were never discussed. Under duress, most homeowners sign the contract and pay the inflated fees simply because they need the solar work completed.

You can avoid all this hassle and added expense by refusing to allow anyone to start your solar work until all paperwork is signed. When it comes to protecting your financial health, put your foot down!

2. Don't Fall for Exaggerated Solar Panel Rebates

Thanks to rebates, tax credits, reduced electricity costs, and increased home value, solar panels are a worthwhile investment for many homeowners. That being said, it's important to note that for many, solar panels do come with upfront costs.

Incentives and tax credits help mitigate those costs by a substantial amount. Unfortunately for those looking to install solar panels, there are companies out there that spread misleading information.

Don't be tricked into thinking you can save more than you can on your solar energy project. If you bank on one amount and later find out that you're not eligible for a certain solar rebate, or if the perk of a solar incentive has been exaggerated, that could lead to immense financial strain.

And you can verify those solar energy perks with help from EnergyBillCruncher. Locate your town's favorite solar installers in seconds, and get estimates on your solar energy project. Be sure to review the numbers for yourself so that you understand your bottom line.

As for upfront costs, keep in mind that most homeowners say that the solar energy perks of owning a renewable energy system far outweigh the costs upfront.

30% savings is yours no matter what.

One of the strongest financial incentives for adopting clean solar energy at home doesn't come from a particular solar installer—it's the generous 30% Federal solar tax credit set in 2022. Under this national program, you can deduct almost a third of the cost of buying your home solar energy system from the Federal taxes you owe for the year the solar system is activated. This could mean $4,000 to $6,000 in solar energy savings, more than enough to cover the installation costs of typical solar energy systems.

home solar quotes