Using solar panels to provide your home’s electricity is good for the planet and there are various government programs that will provide incentives to install solar panels on your home, however, scammers are also posing as legitimate solar panel companies and al that they do is steal your money.  Scammers often go door to door promising free solar panels and tell you that you will never have to pay another electric bill because the government programs, grants and rebates will cover the entire cost of installation and the panels will provide for free all the electricity you need.  Sound to good to be true?  It often is.  While there are some government programs that pay for installing solar panels for qualifying consumers, installing solar panels generally isn’t free.

TIPS

Do your homework.  Be skeptical if a company offering to install solar panels on your home tells you that the government will pay for the entire cost or even tell you that they are affiliated with the government.  Both of those statements are false.  If you are interested in going solar get quotes from reputable, licensed companies.  Als check out the Department of Energy’s guide for homeowners. https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/homeowners-guide-going-solar

Make sure you fully understand any contract you are asked to sign.  It always makes sense to have a lawyer review contracts like this and don’t sign a contract electronically on a tablet provided by the solar company when you aren’t able to see the entire contract.  Warranties, cancellation policies, payment schedules are important aspects of any solar contract of which you should be aware and look for hidden fees.  Again, that is why a lawyer would be helpful

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