Complaints about the solar industry have skyrocketed over the last few years, mostly due to dishonest sales people and solar companies trying to rip you off.
Here’s what you need to know in order for you to be able to see through the solar scams and choose a quality solar power system for your home or business from reputable licensed companies and installers that provide you with the maximum return on investment.
Solar scams usually sell stock-standard solar systems. Avoid door to door sales people and telemarketer as these in most cases have little or no solar experience. Also avoid companies who regularly advertise on TV with low cost solar solutions. (I think you know the ones I’m talking about) They have very negative customer reviews so avoid at all cost.
Reputable solar power companies and installers that you can trust will visit your home or business, sit down with you, take their time, assess the suitability of your roof area, answer your questions and complete your personalized energy assessment for your home or business.
A reputable company will always analyse your electricity usage habits and their product offerings before they provide you with a quote.
Trustworthy solar companies will also help you choose the right size system for your needs. A good solar company will never offer you a standard package advertised on a website. The system they quote should be the one that is best for your particular energy usage habits.
Solar scams are typically systems sold at bulk, for one stock standard price, so never be tempted to make a quick decision by a salesperson. Take your time and seek independent advice.
Beware cheap solar quotes and solar scam tactics
Choosing solar systems on price alone is also a recipe for a disaster. In the solar industry, margins don’t allow for big discounts. Getting a few quotes is a good start to get an idea of a reasonable cost for a quality installation. However, if you are receiving a quote that is much cheaper than others, this could be the warning sign of a solar scam.
Watch out for the following solar scam tactics:
- Promising you good quality components that the company will then swap for cheaper no-name ones. This will be covered by the conditions of sale which state that the supplier is allowed to swap the components for ‘equivalents’.
- Selling a low price system based on cheap no-name panels and inverters. Then try to upsell you to more expensive ones once you’re interested.
- Cutting corners with the solar system installation. Often the contractor is paid per job (not per hour) so they may rush complex or tricky jobs to maintain profitability.
Look at whether they train and employ their own installers and licensed electricians
Many solar companies are project and sales based, which means they don’t train and employ their own staff, They sub contract instead. By outsourcing installations to one company, engineering to another company and the electrical portion to yet another, you’ll never be able to track who did what. It also means the solar company you’re paying holds no responsibility. Just another solar scam…
How does this create a problem for you?
This ultimately puts the return of your investment at risk, as your solar installation is dependent on the performance and availability of subcontractors. Should there be system performance issues, outsourcing companies are pointing the finger at each other, leaving you with the issues unresolved.
There are many reputable solar power companies close to you, so do your research before you invite them to quote and avoid door knocking sales people and telemarketers at all cost.
If you are unsure of what the solar companies are offering, contact our team for an independent analysis of the quotes they have provided.