Learn how to keep away from photo voltaic scams that overpromise, underdeliver

Oregon has a thriving photo voltaic trade. Excessive buyer curiosity, pushed partly by monetary incentives and elevated tax credit, has helped maintain native photo voltaic installers and even entice new companies.  

Sadly, the robust market has additionally attracted a rising variety of photo voltaic gross sales firms centered on gross sales, fairly than buyer wants. These firms could function in a number of states, increasing to locations like Oregon the place there’s robust demand and incentive affords work to their benefit.  

Photo voltaic gross sales firms capitalize on prospects’ partial information of incentives, tax credit and photo voltaic electrical technology to make it look like they provide free or low-cost programs. They usually run social media advertisements saying limited-time free or low-cost photo voltaic applications in particular areas, claiming the federal government, native utilities or organizations like Vitality Belief can pay the prices. The advertisements usually say funding is restricted, in an try and push prospects to behave rapidly. 

Along with utilizing social media, photo voltaic gross sales firms regularly use door-to-door or phone salespeople with little expertise within the trade. They’re skilled in high-pressure gross sales strategies and given scripts which have confirmed profitable in different markets or industries.  

Salespeople could try and construct credibility by claiming to work for or with native utilities or organizations like Vitality Belief. They use obscure language concerning the prices and advantages of photo voltaic vitality, specializing in incentives and tax credit they declare will make set up nearly free.  

Salespeople usually overstate future utility price will increase, investing as we speak seem extra priceless over time. They usually declare photo voltaic will get rid of prospects’ electrical payments. Their messaging is crafted to be partially true, however solely underneath the fitting circumstances.  

Clients who signal agreements are handed off to licensed installers, whereas the gross sales firm strikes on to the subsequent prospect. They might discover set up prices are greater than anticipated and their programs don’t produce as a lot vitality as promised.  

Clients may discover they nonetheless have an electrical invoice throughout cloudy months, regardless of salesperson’s guarantees. Worse but, they usually report challenges with tax credit score eligibility, expensive financing and difficulties in reaching the gross sales firm for assist down the highway. 

Right here’s what to be careful for 

Clients can take steps to guard themselves and keep away from this example. First, it’s essential to observe for the next generally used promoting and gross sales language: 

• The federal government is requiring your electrical utility to put in a specific amount of photo voltaic capability by a sure date. We’re working with them to assist meet that requirement. 
• Your electrical utility recognized your private home as candidate for photo voltaic, so we have been despatched to verify. 
• Your system will produce all of the vitality you want. You’ll by no means pay one other electrical invoice. 
• Your system might be free. The federal government and Vitality Belief of Oregon (and/or the electrical utility) can pay the prices. 
• You’ll haven’t any out-of-pocket price for set up. 
• We’re providing a brand new program to Oregon prospects who set up photo voltaic. 
• We’re working with (for) your electrical firm. 

Subsequent, take these steps to guard your self: 

• Keep away from getting into agreements primarily based solely on door-to-door or phone gross sales. Photo voltaic vitality is a big residence enchancment and requires cautious consideration. 
• Get at the least three bids since system designs and prices could differ broadly. One nice strategy to get an estimate for photo voltaic is to make use of Vitality Belief’s on-line bid kind. 
• If a salesman claims to be despatched by, work with, or work for a utility, authorities entity or Vitality Belief, name or electronic mail that group to confirm their declare. 
• If a salesman claims your system will get rid of all electrical payments, confirm that with different installers and your utility supplier. 
• Fastidiously overview prices and financing earlier than transferring ahead with a contract. Some photo voltaic gross sales organizations work with financing firms that cost excessive rates of interest and charges. Ask your contractor for a whole breakout of financing prices and different charges they could roll into the ultimate price of the system. If the contractor is unable to reveal financing prices, ask them for the money worth with out financing. Additionally take into account a number of choices if financing is required. 
• Watch for classy incentive constructions which will appear like deal however are solely reductions on an overpriced system. Having a number of bids may also help. 
• If tax credit are promised, verify with a tax skilled to confirm your eligibility. You need to have a big sufficient tax legal responsibility to take full benefit of tax credit. 
• Discover out if a subcontractor will set up your system. It’s essential to know who will full the work and if they’ve high quality or customer support points. 
• Test on-line opinions for the gross sales firm and any subcontractors. A fast on-line search will reveal whether or not an organization has or dangerous fame. 
• Confirm the Development Contractors Board (CCB) license quantity of every contractor who supplies a bid. The CCB maintains info on complaints filed towards contractors and any ensuing fines or suspensions. 

Disputes can occur, even after taking the fitting steps. If you end up in a dispute with a gross sales firm or installer, contact the Oregon Development Contractors Board (CCB) at 503.934.2247, or Higher Enterprise Bureau. 

Photo voltaic vitality remains to be an ideal funding for purchasers who wish to offset a portion of their vitality use with clear renewable energy. Nonetheless, it’s essential to plan forward and work with trusted assets to get essentially the most out of your funding. Vitality Belief may also help.  

Vitality Belief will match you with certified photo voltaic commerce ally contractors in your space primarily based in your pursuits. They will present custom-made bids with estimated incentives, tax credit, annual solar energy technology and utility price financial savings so you’ll be able to see the web prices for the photo voltaic or photo voltaic + storage system. Vitality Belief incentives are solely accessible for those who work with a certified commerce ally contractor. 

Study extra on Vitality Belief’s web site or name 1.877.777.4018.