As with all areas of the consumer market, there are criminals and scam artists lurking around every corner, virtual or otherwise, and it pays to always be on the alert for potential scams that could rob you of your hard-earned savings, or much worse.
When it comes to solar energy systems, there are scammers out there who will go to great lengths to push you into investing in solar energy, and they typically do it in the following ways:
- Via telephone (this is the most common form of scamming)
- Bombarding you with emails
- Contacting you via your social media account
If you’re genuinely interested in going solar, then it’s best to conduct your own research into local companies offering such a service.
Solar scam techniques and tactics comes in a variety of forms, but some of the most common are listed below:
Misrepresenting the incentives for going solar
There are federal, and both state and city government incentives available to those who choose to have a solar energy system installed at their home or business, and even through some utility companies, but when attempting to con or swindle someone into buying a system, scammers will often misrepresent the facts in an attempt to confuse or entice you.
If you’ve been considering solar panel installation for your home, and are contacted by a company or individual giving you the hard sell, take your time before agreeing to anything, if you agree to it at all. Check the facts thoroughly and never commit to anything over the telephone or via email, before doing so. A reputable company may market their solar systems using telephone calls or emails, but they will never attempt to bamboozle you with incentives or push you into making a decision before you’re ready.
Pretending to be a government program representative
Always remember that the government will never engage in an activity such as contacting members of the public and trying to encourage them to go solar, and they will certainly never send anyone out to do so on their behalf.
Giving out instant solar quotes
While it may be possible to give you a ballpark estimate of how much your solar system will cost you and how much you’re likely to save in energy costs, these figures are only ever intended to give you a rough idea of costs, so anyone offering to give you an exact figure, is likely trying to scam you.
Note that there’s a significant difference between ‘quote generators’ and ‘solar estimates’, and that many reputable solar energy system providers are able to give you a ballpark figure, but nothing more, since a professional quote would require many mire details, including panel placement designs and an understanding of your system preferences.
Sadly, solar scammers do nothing but give the solar industry a bad name, and it’s important to remember that with a little research and background information, it’s easy to find a solar company that you can trust.
