Purchasing for photo voltaic panels can really feel overwhelming, and stress from aggressive salespeople does not make it any simpler. In truth, the chatty, tablet-wielding photo voltaic gross sales rep at your door may be making an attempt to rip-off you.
As consciousness of the necessity for various power sources will increase and the expertise has grow to be extra inexpensive, curiosity in photo voltaic has skyrocketed. Based on the Photo voltaic Power Industries Affiliation, US photo voltaic has grown by a median fee 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 effective factor — however it’s include a slew of unhealthy actors within the {industry} and a rise in shopper complaints about sketchy photo voltaic firms in all places from Rhode Island to North Carolina to Utah. That is why it is extra necessary than ever to grasp tips on how to spot pink flags and take care of 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 a whole lot of unhealthy actors who get drawn to the {industry},” stated Micah Gold-Markel, founding father of Photo voltaic States, an set up firm in Philadelphia.
However as a result of photo voltaic is a comparatively new {industry}, it is not topic to the sorts of rules that shield customers 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 customers, 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 brand new invoice going into impact this yr. However most states nonetheless lack industry-specific rules to guard owners.
The right way 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? Listed here are some pink 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 truly doing all of your set up. That method, you will know who to carry accountable and have some recourse if one thing goes incorrect throughout or after set up.
Their firm lacks {industry} certifications: A simple strategy to display screen shady photo voltaic installers is to keep away from those that aren’t licensed by the North American Board of Licensed Power Practitioners. “That certification signifies that the installer or the set up crew 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 speak greater than they pay attention: photo voltaic firm needs to be concerned with studying about your wants, priorities and questions round going photo voltaic relatively than telling you what they assume you need 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 value hikes: Excessive-pressure gross sales techniques are one other pink flag. A disingenuous installer might stress you to signal by claiming that a terrific 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 accessible for a short while,” stated Jani Hale, assist desk supervisor with the nonprofit Photo voltaic United Neighbors. “As extra individuals get photo voltaic, it turns into cheaper.
They inform you you possibly can go photo voltaic without cost: Unhealthy actors might attempt to reap the benefits of confusion about federal tax credit and photo voltaic lease agreements, making an attempt to promote you on the concept you could set up photo voltaic for free of charge. It is simply not true, cautions Gold-Markel. “There’s nothing free on this world, and that features photo voltaic,” he stated. “They might say that there isn’t any upfront value, and that may very well be actually true. However there isn’t any such factor as free photo voltaic.”
You are feeling pressured to signal a contract throughout your first dialog: Excessive-pressure photo voltaic firms might practice their salespeople to strive for what’s known as a one-sit shut, wherein 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 a terrific gross sales technique,” stated Gold-Markel. “In my view, it will make for a disenchanted buyer.”
The right way to 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’t stress sufficient how necessary it’s to take a look at the historical past of the corporate,” stated Gold-Markel. Along with studying on-line critiques and asking about certifications, he recommends requesting referrals from happy prospects. Hale notes that newer companies within the market might 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 need to just be sure you’re doing enterprise with an organization that has a protracted monitor 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 couple of installers, store round and ask a whole lot of questions.” She recommends contacting her crew at Photo voltaic United Neighbors’s Photo voltaic Assist 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 among the finest methods to guard your self is to enter these conversations together with your wants, your finances and your timeline in thoughts, then follow it. Should you’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 most likely not the proper match.'”
Do not signal something till you have had time to assume: “Some salespeople could also be geared up with an iPad for a presentation. Don’t signal it,” stated Hale. “As a substitute, ask if they’ve brochures or supplies so that you can learn later.” A reliable installer provides you with ample time to analysis, contemplate your choices and consult with some other decision-makers in your house. “Should you’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 house is your largest asset. You need to take your time with this choice.”
Report unhealthy actors: Should you encounter deceptive on-line adverts, aggressive gross sales techniques or false claims in advertising and marketing supplies as you store for a photo voltaic system, let regulators and advocates know. Report photo voltaic scams to the Higher Enterprise Bureau, the Federal Commerce Fee or your state’s lawyer common. You may also file a criticism with SEIA or contact Photo voltaic United Neighbors, which tracks photo voltaic scams and deceptive adverts.
What’s one of the simplest ways to buy photo voltaic panels?
Each specialists agree that one of the simplest ways to buy photo voltaic panels is to do loads of analysis earlier than you could have a single dialog with an installer. That method, you will be armed with the info and fewer prone to be swayed by aggressive gross sales techniques.
If you’re able to go photo voltaic, create your individual shortlist by going to trusted sources for suggestions. Begin by asking mates and neighbors for referrals, verify the NABCEP web site for licensed installers in your space and vet the candidates by checking on-line critiques 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 decisions straight. “If you’re courting them they usually’re not courting you, that is a inexperienced flag,” Hale says.
As soon as you have met with a couple of installers, examine your choices by trying on the value per watt, not the fee per panel or total value of the undertaking to get one of the best deal. Learn set up agreements, warranties and any mortgage agreements rigorously, and be sure you perceive the info earlier than you signal.
Above all, Gold-Markel stated, wait to signal on the dotted line till you are assured that you simply’re making the proper 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 firms in your space and the certifications they’ve. 9 instances out of 10, you will come out very comfortable on the opposite facet.”
