If you are researching how to get solar without getting scammed, you are not alone. As solar power grows in popularity across East Tennessee, so do the number of aggressive sales reps knocking on doors and flooding Facebook with “too good to be true” offers.
Solar scams almost always rely on the same three tactics: confusion, high-pressure urgency, and paperwork that hides the real cost. The good news is that spotting a bad deal is easy once you know what to look for.
At Your Home Solar & Home Energy Solutions, we believe the best customer is an educated one. Use this simple checklist to protect your home and your wallet.
The Simple Checklist for Homeowners
You don’t need to be an energy expert to avoid a bad deal. If you are sitting down with a solar company, simply walk through these five steps.
1. Get Everything in Writing
Never rely on a verbal promise. If a salesperson says, “We will pay your first year of bills,” or “This battery will run your AC for three days,” demand to see it in the contract.
- What to ask for: An itemized quote that lists the exact model of panels (e.g., QCELLS, REC), the inverter type (e.g., Enphase, Sol-Ark), and the warranty terms.
- The Red Flag: If they scribble a price on a napkin or show you a number on an iPad but won’t email you the PDF to review, walk away.
2. Avoid “Today Only” Pressure
Scammers use urgency to stop you from thinking. They might say, “This state rebate ends at midnight,” or “We have a crew in the neighborhood just for today.”
- The Reality: Legitimate construction pricing does not expire in 24 hours. Real installers want you to take your time and feel comfortable.
- The Red Flag: Any company that bullies you into signing on the first visit is a company to avoid.
3. Ask “Who Installs It?”
This is a critical question for avoiding solar scams. Many “solar companies” are actually just marketing agencies. They sell the contract and then sell you to the lowest-bidding subcontractor.
- The Local Difference: Ask if the installers are W-2 employees of the company or 1099 subcontractors. You want a team that is accountable for their work, not a random crew you will never see again.
4. Confirm Permitting and Inspections
Solar is a major construction project. It requires electrical permits and a “Permission to Operate” (PTO) letter from your local utility, whether that is KUB, LCUB, or TVA.
- The Reality: Real installers handle this paperwork for you.
- The Red Flag: If a handyman offers to install panels “off the books” or without pulling a permit, you are putting your home’s insurance and safety at risk.
5. Understand the Payment Schedule
Be very careful with companies that demand 50% or 100% of the money upfront before scheduling the work.
- The Standard: A typical schedule involves a modest deposit to start the design, a progress payment when equipment is ordered, and a final payment after installation.
- The Red Flag: Never hand over full payment until you see panels on your roof.
Watch Out for “Too Good to Be True” Claims
When learning how to get solar without getting scammed, your biggest defense is your own skepticism. If it sounds like magic, it’s probably a trap.
“Free Solar” or “No Cost Solar”
Let’s be clear: Solar is not free. Ads promising “free solar panels” are usually disguising a 25-year lease or a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). In these deals, you don’t own the panels; the company does. You just trade your electric bill for a lease payment that often increases every year. While this can work for some, it is not “free,” and it can make selling your home difficult later.
“The Government Pays For It”
Scammers often impersonate government officials or claim that a “new federal program” covers 100% of the cost.
- The Truth: There is a federal tax credit (The Investment Tax Credit), which currently covers 30% of the cost for qualified homeowners. There is no program where the government writes you a check for the full amount.
“Guaranteed No Bill Ever Again”
No honest installer can guarantee a $0 bill forever.
- The Truth: Even if your solar covers 100% of your usage, you will likely still pay a small “customer connection fee” (usually $15-$30/month) to your utility company to stay connected to the grid.
Why This Matters in East Tennessee
We see these solar companies to avoid pop up in Knoxville every summer. They knock on doors in Farragut and Hardin Valley, sign as many contracts as possible, and then disappear when the cold weather hits.
Real solar is valuable. It adds equity to your home, protects you from rate hikes, and provides backup power. But it is a construction project with real variables, not a “get rich quick” scheme.
Want a Real Conversation with a Local Team?
If you are tired of the sales pitches and want a straight answer from a team that actually lives here, we are ready to help.
Call Your Home Solar & Home Energy Solutions at (865) 800-8702. We will look at your roof, review your power bill, and tell you the truth—even if that means telling you solar isn’t right for your home.