HOW TO AVOID SOLAR FRAUD

Now more than ever in California, people are going green by adding solar panels to their homes. In 2018, California created a mandate that new single-family homes and multi-family dwellings up to three stories high must install solar panels. The California solar mandate took effect on January 1, 2020, and is part of California’s building codes.

Although going solar can be a big positive financially, it can also expose consumers to fraudulent business practices by companies that blatantly violate consumer protection laws and engage in shady business practices.

There are many good and decent solar providers doing business in California; However, there are also many deceitful Solar companies that use a variety of sales strategies in order to lure in consumers. These tactics range from misleading to outright fraudulent. Solar companies can be found liable for these fraudulent behaviors such as failing to maintain solar panels, failing to fix or replace defective solar panels or parts, overbilling customers for usage, failing to complete solar panel systems, elder abuse and outright breaching their contractual obligations.

The following are Solar Sales Red Flags, if any such claims are made by a solar sales representative make sure to do your research in order to avoid becoming a victim.

·      Claims the federal solar tax credit is ending.

·      Claiming you only have one choice when choosing equipment.

·      Claims your utility provider is going to raise electricity prices by an exorbitantly high amount each year. (Although electricity rates do go up you can find historical electricity costs for your area and judge whether or not a company’s estimate is an exaggeration.)

·      Claims you can save “up to XX%” on your electricity bill. Although it might sound great, that “up to” could be very misleading.

·      Claims your solar system is free.

·      Claims you can say your home is powered by green energy. This is only true if you hold on to the solar renewable energy certificates. In a PPA, you might sign those over to the solar provider.

If you need help reviewing your solar contract or If you have been a victim of solar fraud contact Bennett & Demera LLP at (559) 981-2588 or hello@bennettdemera.com.