Concerns over door-to-door solar sales reps prompted CUB to make this poster to give to members of the public. (Click the image to see a larger version.)
Solar is an excellent deal in Illinois, but that doesn’t mean every offer pitched to you is the right one for your home. CUB’s Scott Allen recently spoke to WGLT, the public radio station in the Bloomington-Normal area, to recommend that consumers use caution if a solar salesperson knocks on their door .
Allen, CUB’s Renewable Energy Policy Coordinator, says the consumer watchdog has received multiple reports of problems with door-to-door solar sales representatives across the state. Those reports include people being pestered by solar pitches; consumers confused about claims of “free” solar panels; and, in the worst-case scenario, people complaining about scams that robbed them of thousands of dollars.
The problem became such a concern that a social service nonprofit in southern Illinois requested that CUB create this poster for people to hang in their windows.
Scott told WGLT that the rapidly expanding solar market has created plenty of well-paying jobs–but the boom has also attracted some disreputable players. “In a lot of cases, the people coming door-to-door are probably not really involved in the solar industry at all,” Allen told WGLT. “They were probably hired by someone tangential to the solar industry and they’re just going out and selling some kind of product.”
The solar industry is aware of the need for standards. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the industry’s main trade group, is working on a set of transparency standards for solar companies to be recognized as SEIA certified installers.
In the meantime, there are many ways to tell if a door-to-door pitch is legitimate. Scott offers some tips to help people navigate the solar market and protect themselves from scam artists. If somebody comes to your door…
- Ask for identification that proves employment with a solar company.
- Ask to see a copy of the Illinois Power Agency’s Consumer Protection Handbook for solar customers in Illinois (the program is called Illinois Shines). Any reputable sales rep will make that available.
- Don’t be forced to say “Yes” at your doorstep–high-pressure sales tactics are a red flag. Ask for the sales rep to leave information that you can read on your own time–a reputable salesperson is willing to do that.
- Don’t rely on one pitch. Get at least three quotes before making a final decision. Make sure to look into well-established, local installers.
- Remember, there is no such thing as “free” solar panels. When a sales rep claims to offer free panels, that means they are pushing a solar lease. A lease could be a decent deal for some families, but with all the incentives available now, there’s a good chance that buying the panels outright is your best option. CUB has written about this.
- Got a complaint about a solar company? Call (1-877-708-3456) or email ([email protected]) Illinois Shines, the state’s solar program. You also can call the Illinois Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Fraud: 1-800-243-0618
For more information about solar power and making the best choices, check out CUB’s Clean Energy Page, including our Introduction to Rooftop factsheet. Also, learn more about Illinois Solar for All, the program making solar more accessible to income-qualified consumers.
Finally, remember that If your home isn’t right for solar panels, consider Illinois’ Community Solar program, which allows consumers to enjoy the benefits of solar power (lower bills), without having to install panels on your property.
