Looking for solar panels can really feel overwhelming, and stress from aggressive salespeople would not make it any simpler. Actually, the chatty, tablet-wielding photo voltaic gross sales rep at your door is likely to be attempting to rip-off you.
As consciousness of the necessity for different power sources will increase and the know-how has grow to be extra inexpensive, curiosity in photo voltaic has skyrocketed. Based on the Solar Energy Industries Association, US photo voltaic has grown by a mean charge of 24% yearly for the previous decade. Federal incentives supplied by the Inflation Discount Act have additionally pushed demand.
That growth in photo voltaic installations is an efficient factor — but it surely’s include a slew of unhealthy actors within the {industry} and a rise in shopper complaints about sketchy photo voltaic corporations in all places from Rhode Island to North Carolina to Utah. That is why it is extra vital than ever to grasp how you can spot red flags and cope with aggressive techniques when searching for photo voltaic.
Why the photo voltaic {industry} has so many aggressive salespeople
“The photo voltaic {industry} is exploding, and any time one thing will get actually in style, there are loads of unhealthy actors who get drawn to the {industry},” stated Micah Gold-Markel, founding father of Solar States, an set up firm in Philadelphia.
However as a result of photo voltaic is a comparatively new {industry}, it isn’t topic to the sorts of rules that shield shoppers in different industries, like actual property. Whereas there are many respected installers on the market, some unhealthy actors recruit salespeople with get-rich-quick schemes on social media, then use shady techniques to push photo voltaic on unsuspecting shoppers, in accordance with a TIME exposé.
The response to that gross sales conduct has been a flood of shopper complaints about aggressive or deceptive photo voltaic salespeople. Nevada is the primary state to start cracking down on shady photo voltaic operations, with a new bill going into impact this yr. However most states nonetheless lack industry-specific rules to guard owners.
How one can spot an aggressive photo voltaic gross sales pitch
So how do you inform a good installer from a scammy photo voltaic gross sales bro? Listed here are some crimson flags to be careful for, in accordance with specialists.
They do not work for an installer: A profitable technique for the photo voltaic scammers is hiring impartial contractors, coaching them in aggressive gross sales techniques and incentivizing them with hefty commissions. A great way to guard your self and your funding is to make sure you’re signing an settlement with the corporate that is really doing all your set up. That approach, you will know who to carry accountable and have some recourse if one thing goes unsuitable throughout or after set up.
Their firm lacks {industry} certifications: A straightforward method to display shady photo voltaic installers is to keep away from those that aren’t licensed by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. “That certification signifies that the installer or the set up group has gotten some nationally acknowledged coaching to put in photo voltaic so that you will get a high-quality set up,” Gold-Markel stated.
They discuss greater than they hear: A good solar company must be concerned about studying about your wants, priorities and questions round going photo voltaic relatively than telling you what they suppose you wish to hear. “We practice our salespeople to coach individuals, which implies listening,” stated Gold-Markel. “Be very skeptical of a salesman who tells you what you want proper out of the gate.”
They stress you to purchase with warnings of limited-time offers or future worth hikes: Excessive-pressure gross sales techniques are one other crimson flag. A disingenuous installer could stress you to signal by claiming that an excellent deal is about to vanish or warning that low costs or incentives will not final ceaselessly. “Do not be rushed due to claims {that a} deal is ending or solely obtainable for a short while,” stated Jani Hale, assist desk supervisor with the nonprofit Solar United Neighbors. “As extra individuals get photo voltaic, it turns into cheaper.
They let you know you’ll be able to go photo voltaic totally free: Dangerous actors could attempt to make the most of confusion about federal tax credit and photo voltaic lease agreements, making an attempt to promote you on the thought which you can set up photo voltaic for gratis. It is just not true, cautions Gold-Markel. “There’s nothing free on this world, and that features photo voltaic,” he stated. “They may say that there is not any upfront value, and that could possibly be actually true. However there is not any such factor as free photo voltaic.”
You are feeling pressured to signal a contract throughout your first dialog: Excessive-pressure photo voltaic corporations could practice their salespeople to attempt for what’s referred to as a one-sit shut, through which an unsuspecting home-owner indicators an set up settlement on their first assembly with the corporate. “In the event that they’re pressuring you to maneuver ahead, that is not an excellent gross sales technique,” stated Gold-Markel. “In my view, it will make for a upset buyer.”
How one can shield your self from scammy gross sales techniques
So how do you go photo voltaic with out falling for a rip-off or a high-pressure sale? Listed here are some professional suggestions.
Look into the corporate’s background: “I can not stress sufficient how vital it’s to have a look at the historical past of the corporate,” stated Gold-Markel. Along with studying on-line evaluations and asking about certifications, he recommends requesting referrals from happy prospects. Hale notes that newer companies within the market could not have the endurance of extra established ones, which generally is a downside in terms of servicing a guaranty over the lifetime of your photo voltaic system. “You wish to just be sure you’re doing enterprise with an organization that has a protracted observe report and might stand behind no matter guarantee they’re offering to you,” she stated.
Do your homework and take your time: “All the time do your analysis earlier than signing a photo voltaic contract,” stated Hale. “Get competing bids or proposals from a number of installers, store round and ask a lot of questions.” She recommends contacting her group at Photo voltaic United Neighbors’s Solar Help Desk for unbiased steering and training as you contemplate your choices.
Be upfront about your wants: It is simple to be swayed by a fast-talking salesperson, however the most effective methods to guard your self is to enter these conversations together with your wants, your funds and your timeline in thoughts, then keep on with it. If you happen to’re feeling pressured, “you need to be very frank and upfront with that salesperson,” Gold-Markel stated. “Inform them ‘It is a massive buy for me, I would like time to investigate it. If that does not give you the results you want, then we’re in all probability not the correct match.'”
Do not signal something till you’ve got had time to suppose: “Some salespeople could also be geared up with an iPad for a presentation. Don’t signal it,” stated Hale. “As an alternative, ask if they’ve brochures or supplies so that you can learn later.” A reliable installer will provide you with ample time to analysis, contemplate your choices and consult with every other decision-makers in your house. “If you happen to’re able to go after the primary dialogue about photo voltaic, nice,” stated Gold-Markel. “However that is technical stuff, and for most individuals, your own home is your largest asset. You need to take your time with this choice.”
Report unhealthy actors: If you happen to encounter deceptive on-line adverts, aggressive gross sales techniques or false claims in advertising supplies as you store for a photo voltaic system, let regulators and advocates know. Report solar scams to the Higher Enterprise Bureau, the Federal Commerce Fee or your state’s legal professional basic. You may also file a criticism with SEIA or contact Photo voltaic United Neighbors, which tracks photo voltaic scams and deceptive adverts.
What’s the easiest way to buy photo voltaic panels?
Each specialists agree that the easiest way to buy photo voltaic panels is to do loads of analysis earlier than you’ve gotten a single dialog with an installer. That approach, you will be armed with the information and fewer prone to be swayed by aggressive gross sales techniques.
Once you’re able to go photo voltaic, create your personal shortlist by going to trusted sources for suggestions. Begin by asking associates and neighbors for referrals, verify the NABCEP website for licensed installers in your space and vet the candidates by checking on-line evaluations and the Higher Enterprise Bureau. Then, relatively than ready for door-to-door photo voltaic salespeople to come back to you, attain out to your high selections immediately. “In case you are courting them and so they’re not courting you, that is a inexperienced flag,” Hale says.
As soon as you’ve got met with a number of installers, examine your choices by wanting on the value per watt, not the cost per panel or total value of the undertaking to get the perfect deal. Learn set up agreements, warranties and any mortgage agreements rigorously, and be sure to perceive the information earlier than you signal.
Above all, Gold-Markel stated, wait to signal on the dotted line till you are assured that you just’re making the correct selection. “Most individuals do not simply make a snap choice to purchase a automobile. The identical is true for photo voltaic,” he stated. “Take your time with the choice. Perceive the completely different corporations in your space and the certifications they’ve. 9 instances out of 10, you will come out very comfortable on the opposite facet.”
