ATTORNEY COSTES

ATTORNEY GENERAL RUSSELL COLEMAN

HOW TO PREVENT SOLAR SCAMS

READ THE CONTRACT: 

Do not sign an agreement to purchase a solar power systemwithout reading the contract. Pay special attention to see if the terms of the contract contradict information that a solar sales representative provided to you verbally. For example, a solar sales representative verbally tells you that a proposed system is "guaranteed" to reduce your monthly electric bill by "70-80%," but the contract states that the solar company cannot guarantee the amount of electricity that a system will produce or your expected savings, e.g., a clause stating that "[Solar Company] disclaims all warranties (oral or written) with respect to production, usage, and savings." If you find significant discrepancies between what the solar sales representative told you and what the solar company's contract states, you should seriously consider whether you want to enter into a major financial transaction with the company. Do not let a sales representative pressure you into signing a solar contract without reading it. A solar company is asking you to agree to make a major financial commitment by purchasing a solar power system. The sales representative can wait for you to read the contract.

Get Competing Bids From Multiple Solar Companies: 

Solar power systems can be costly, and like any major home improvement project, you should obtain bids from multiple companies. Be wary of any company that tries to pressure you into making an on the spot purchase decision. Remember, incentives like "same-day signing bonuses" or "deal of the day" are often intended to induce customers into making a purchase decision before they have fully explored their options and obtained competing bids. Even though a bonus or rebate for purchasing a solar power system the same day you meet with a company's sales representative may seem like a good deal, agreeing to purchase a solar power system from a company before fully exploring your options and obtaining competing bids could result in you paying significantly more for a solar power system because the particular company you met with charges a substantially higher price overall than its competitors.

Avoid High Pressure Sales Tactics:

Be wary of high pressure sales tactics. A reputable company should respect your desire to do independent research and take some time to think about its proposal before making the major financial commitment of purchasing a solar power system. Before meeting with a solar sales representative at your home, ask whether the company will provide you with materials to review beforehand.