House with solar panels on the roof, surrounded by greenery

Categories

Newsletter

A growing number of people are eager to learn more about solar energy and find out what kind of savings it can provide. Unfortunately, many con artists understand this well and have designed schemes that can turn the dreams of residential solar power into a nightmare for some homeowners.

Unlike buying a car or a house, most customers have no experience with photovoltaic (PV) solar systems. That means it can be hard to tell a reputable solar company from a scammer, and scammers can come in many forms. Some are charming salespeople who come to the door. Others unleash a torrent of phone calls, emails, and letters.

When done right, switching to PV solar can save customers money on their power bills and reduce their carbon footprint. Avoiding solar power scams and enjoying these benefits is not difficult, but it does require vigilance.

Here are some tips designed to help avoid the pitfalls caused by solar scammers:

  • Don’t sign anything right away. Scammers are masters of the hard sell. Their job is to get you to sign their contract now, Now! NOW!!! Don’t let them bully you. Never sign anything until you’ve researched at least three solar companies. Find out rates and ask hard questions about features, installation costs, and payments. If any offers seem too good to be true, they probably are. Reputable companies like Castaways Energy and its network of high-quality dealers have nothing to fear from your scrutiny. Take a close look until all your questions are answered.
  • Never start without a contract. While some scammers pressure you to sign a contract right away, others pressure people to start work without signing any legal documents at all. Don’t let them. A reputable company will insist on a contract and will help you understand what it means for you. Also, don’t confuse a free estimate, which many good solar companies will provide, with an actual contract. Some shady companies give an estimate and act as if that is your contract. It’s not. Any contract you do sign should be easy to understand.
  • Get references. Check the company’s track record. How long have they been in business? Do they have a physical address and not just a website or a phone number? Talk to customers who’ve had installations done by that company. Sometimes, a simple online search will turn up valuable information, or the company you pick should have more positive reviews than negative ones. Finally, check with the Better Business Bureau as well as your state or local consumer protection agencies.
  • Look for warranties guaranteed by contract. A company that’s willing to sign a legally binding warranty is likely to be reputable. But read over the warranty to make sure it covers what the company says it covers. Again, do research and ask for references. Castaways Energy is recognized as having the most comprehensive warranty in the solar industry.
  • Watch for people posing as utility or government workers. Solar panel fraud often starts with people who pretend they’re workers at well-known companies or for the government. Ask for proof of ID and check it independently. Again, sign nothing right away.
  • Don’t be stampeded toward one type of financing. There are three main ways to finance PV solar: purchase, loan, or lease. Each one has pluses and minuses. A reputable company will be able to offer a range of financing options and explain them transparently. Be sure the type of financing you choose fits your financial situation and won’t hurt you long-term. Also, some solar panel scams come in the form of “free” solar panels. The panels are free, but they come in exchange for financing agreements that may hurt you over time.
  • Research applicable tax benefits. Installing PV solar can come with great tax benefits from both the state and federal governments. Scammers often misrepresent or flat-out lie about how large those benefits can be. A reputable company can easily direct you to websites or government agencies with accurate information.

If you think you’ve dealt with a solar scammer, call the police as well as your state or local consumer protection agency. In some cases, you can get restitution. Also, inform both your local utility and your elected representatives. Often, they can warn people and help make changes that can prevent future scams.

PV solar is an investment that will stretch over many years. The company that installs your system becomes a partner. Do your research and avoid snap decisions, and that partner will become someone you want to work with for the long haul. Start your research on the perfect solar setup by getting a FREE QUOTE!

Find Out If Solar Is Right For You.

Pick an assessment type & enter your name

Icon

Quick

Icon

More thorough

Thank You !

What best describes you? (please choose one)

I want solar for my primary residence

I want solar for my business

Hi ,
Besides saving money on your utility bill, what else motivates you to go solar?
(please choose one)

Icon

Be more Green

Icon

Use more Power
Guilt Free
(i.e. AC/Devices)

Icon

Fear of Outages
(i.e. Grid Down)

Icon

Cash in on 'Going
Solar' Incentives

What best describes you?

Icon

I’m retired or dreaming of retirement

Icon

I just bought my first home

Icon

I’m ready to start my career/family

Icon

My kids are in college

Fill in the blank. "When picking a solar partner, getting the best            is most important to me."
(please choose one)

Icon

Warranty

Icon

Value

Icon

Technology

Icon

Company

I'm interested in (select one)...

Icon

Solar only

Icon

Solar

Icon

+ Storage

Icon

Solar

Icon

+ EV

Icon

Solar

Icon

+ Storage

Icon

+ EV

What best describes you?

Icon

I have an EV

Icon

I want an EV

Thank You !
We're building your solar persona.

Now, it's time to calculate the perfect system size for your house and find out how much you can save when you go solar.

Solar Wizard

is calculating your system size

Here are your results!

Panel


Environmental Impact ( years)

Icon

metric tons

Icon

car miles driven

Icon

Number of Trees Planted


# of Panels:

System size:

Battery:

How do you plan on aquiring your system?

# of Panels:

System size:

Battery:

Environmental Impact
( years)

Icon

metric tons

Icon

car miles driven

Icon

Number of Trees Planted


# of Panels:

System size:

Battery:

Thank You !

Please schedule your no-obligation ‘going solar’ consultant so we can provide a detailed quote for your home. If possible, upload a copy of your utility bill so we can better assess your possibilities.

All personal information is confidential.

Following file types allowed: jpg, jpeg, png, bmp, pdf, gif.
File size must be less than 3MB.

Wizard Logo

Thank you for using Solar Wizard. Data submitted successfully.

Thank You

Our representative will contact you soon.

Step 1/

Thank You !

What best describes you? (please choose one)

I want solar for my primary residence

I want solar for my business

I'm interested in (select one)...

Icon

Solar only

Icon

Solar

Icon

+ Storage

Icon

Solar

Icon

+ EV

Icon

Solar

Icon

+ Storage

Icon

+ EV

What best describes you?

Icon

I have an EV

Icon

I want an EV

Thank You !
We're building your solar persona.

Now, it's time to calculate the perfect system size for your house and find out how much you can save when you go solar.

Solar Wizard

is calculating your system size

Here are your results!

Panel


Environmental Impact ( years)

Icon

metric tons

Icon

car miles driven

Icon

Number of Trees Planted


# of Panels:

System size:

Battery:

How do you plan on aquiring your system?

# of Panels:

System size:

Battery:

Environmental Impact
( years)

Icon

metric tons

Icon

car miles driven

Icon

Number of Trees Planted


# of Panels:

System size:

Battery:

Thank You !

Please schedule your no-obligation ‘going solar’ consultant so we can provide a detailed quote for your home. If possible, upload a copy of your utility bill so we can better assess your possibilities.

All personal information is confidential.

Following file types allowed: jpg, jpeg, png, bmp, pdf, gif.
File size must be less than 3MB.

Wizard Logo

Thank you for using Solar Wizard. Data submitted successfully.

Thank You

Our representative will contact you soon.

Step 1/

How much will solar cost you?
Find out. It’s FREE!