Shopping for photo voltaic panels can really feel overwhelming, and stress from aggressive salespeople does not make it any simpler. In reality, the chatty, tablet-wielding photo voltaic gross sales rep at your door could be making an attempt to rip-off you.
As consciousness of the necessity for various power sources will increase and the know-how has develop into extra inexpensive, curiosity in photo voltaic has skyrocketed. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, US photo voltaic has grown by a median price of 24% yearly for the previous decade. Federal incentives offered by the Inflation Reduction Act have additionally pushed demand.
That growth in photo voltaic installations is an effective factor — but it surely’s include a slew of unhealthy actors within the {industry} and a rise in client complaints about sketchy photo voltaic corporations in every single place from Rhode Island to North Carolina to Utah. That’s why it is extra vital than ever to perceive how to spot purple flags and cope with aggressive ways 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 widespread, there are a number of unhealthy actors who get attracted to the {industry},” mentioned Micah Gold-Markel, founding father of Solar States, an set up firm in Philadelphia.
But as a result of photo voltaic is a comparatively new {industry}, it isn’t topic to the sorts of laws that defend shoppers in different industries, like actual property. While there are many respected installers on the market, some unhealthy actors recruit salespeople with get-rich-quick schemes on social media, then use shady ways to push photo voltaic on unsuspecting shoppers, in accordance to a TIME exposé.
The response to that gross sales habits has been a flood of client complaints about aggressive or deceptive photo voltaic salespeople. Nevada is the primary state to start cracking down on shady photo voltaic operations, with a brand new invoice going into impact this yr. But most states nonetheless lack industry-specific laws to defend owners.
How to spot an aggressive photo voltaic gross sales pitch
So how do you inform a good installer from a scammy photo voltaic gross sales bro? Here are some purple flags to be careful for, in accordance to consultants.
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 ways and incentivizing them with hefty commissions. A great way to defend 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 manner, you may know who to maintain accountable and have some recourse if one thing goes flawed throughout or after set up.
Their firm lacks {industry} certifications: An simple manner to display screen 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 implies that the installer or the set up group has gotten some nationally acknowledged coaching to set up photo voltaic so that you will get a high-quality set up,” Gold-Markel mentioned.
They speak greater than they pay attention: A great photo voltaic firm needs to be interested by studying about your wants, priorities and questions round going photo voltaic fairly than telling you what they assume you need to hear. “We practice our salespeople to educate folks, which implies listening,” mentioned 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: High-pressure gross sales ways are one other purple flag. A disingenuous installer could stress you to signal by claiming that an important deal is about to disappear or warning that low costs or incentives will not final ceaselessly. “Don’t be rushed due to claims {that a} deal is ending or solely accessible for a short while,” mentioned Jani Hale, assist desk supervisor with the nonprofit Solar United Neighbors. “As extra folks get photo voltaic, it turns into cheaper.
They inform you you may go photo voltaic without cost: Bad actors could strive to reap the benefits of confusion about federal tax credit and photo voltaic lease agreements, making an attempt to promote you on the thought that you would be able to set up photo voltaic for free of charge. It’s simply not true, cautions Gold-Markel. “There’s nothing free on this world, and that features photo voltaic,” he mentioned. “They may say that there isn’t any upfront price, and that might be actually true. But there isn’t any such factor as free photo voltaic.”
You really feel pressured to signal a contract throughout your first dialog: High-pressure photo voltaic corporations could practice their salespeople to strive for what’s referred to as a one-sit shut, during which an unsuspecting house owner indicators an set up settlement on their first assembly with the corporate. “If they’re pressuring you to transfer ahead, that is not an important gross sales technique,” mentioned Gold-Markel. “In my opinion, it is going to make for a upset buyer.”
How to defend your self from scammy gross sales ways
So how do you go photo voltaic with out falling for a rip-off or a high-pressure sale? Here are some professional suggestions.
Look into the corporate’s background: “I can’t stress sufficient how vital it’s to take a look at the historical past of the corporate,” mentioned Gold-Markel. In addition to studying on-line evaluations and asking about certifications, he recommends requesting referrals from glad prospects. Hale notes that newer companies within the market could not have the endurance of extra established ones, which could be a downside when it comes to servicing a guaranty over the lifetime of your photo voltaic system. “You need 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 mentioned.
Do your homework and take your time: “Always do your analysis earlier than signing a photo voltaic contract,” mentioned Hale. “Get competing bids or proposals from a couple of installers, store round and ask a number of questions.” She recommends contacting her group at Solar United Neighbors’s Solar Help Desk for unbiased steerage and training as you take into account your choices.
Be upfront about your wants: It’s simple to be swayed by a fast-talking salesperson, however among the best methods to defend your self is to go into these conversations along with your wants, your finances and your timeline in thoughts, then stick to it. If you feel pressured, “you need to be very frank and upfront with that salesperson,” Gold-Markel mentioned. “Tell them ‘This is an enormous buy for me, I want time to analyze it. If that does not be just right for you, then we’re in all probability not the proper match.'”
Don’t signal something till you’ve got had time to assume: “Some salespeople could also be outfitted with an iPad for a presentation. Do not signal it,” mentioned Hale. “Instead, ask if they’ve brochures or supplies for you to learn later.” A reliable installer will provide you with ample time to analysis, take into account your choices and talk to some other decision-makers in your house. “If you are prepared to go after the primary dialogue about photo voltaic, nice,” mentioned Gold-Markel. “But that is technical stuff, and for most individuals, your house is your largest asset. You ought to take your time with this determination.”
Report unhealthy actors: If you encounter deceptive on-line advertisements, aggressive gross sales ways or false claims in advertising supplies as you store for a photo voltaic system, let regulators and advocates know. Report photo voltaic scams to the Better Business Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission or your state’s legal professional normal. You can even file a criticism with SEIA or contact Solar United Neighbors, which tracks photo voltaic scams and deceptive advertisements.
What’s one of the best ways to store for photo voltaic panels?
Both consultants agree that one of the best ways to store for photo voltaic panels is to do loads of analysis earlier than you might have a single dialog with an installer. That manner, you may be armed with the information and fewer doubtless to be swayed by aggressive gross sales ways.
When you are prepared to go photo voltaic, create your personal shortlist by going to trusted sources for suggestions. Start by asking associates and neighbors for referrals, verify the NABCEP web site for licensed installers in your space and vet the candidates by checking on-line evaluations and the Better Business Bureau. Then, fairly than ready for door-to-door photo voltaic salespeople to come to you, attain out to your prime selections straight. “If you might be courting them they usually’re not courting you, that is a inexperienced flag,” Hale says.
Once you’ve got met with a couple of installers, evaluate your choices by wanting on the price per watt, not the price per panel or general price of the undertaking to get one of the best deal. Read set up agreements, warranties and any mortgage agreements rigorously, and be sure you perceive the information earlier than you signal.
Above all, Gold-Markel mentioned, wait to signal on the dotted line till you are assured that you just’re making the proper selection. “Most folks do not simply make a snap determination to purchase a automotive. The identical is true for photo voltaic,” he mentioned. “Take your time with the choice. Understand the totally different corporations in your space and the certifications they’ve. Nine occasions out of 10, you may come out very joyful on the opposite facet.”