© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.
Some complaints involve homeowners spending significant sums without getting a working system in return.
Photo Credit: iStock
Homeowners facing steep energy costs may be tempted by promises of “free solar panels” or power bills that vanish.
However, the Better Business Bureau says those offers can end badly, with some buyers ending up with malfunctioning systems, surprise charges, and no real help when problems arise.
As 23ABC reported, the Better Business Bureau wants homeowners to slow down when solar deals come through a phone call, an online ad, or a knock at the door.
Warning signs include pitches centered on “free” panels, inflated claims about savings, or confusing statements about government incentives.
Want to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers in your area.
To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner.
Some complaints involve homeowners spending significant sums without getting a working system in return.
In one BBB ScamTracker filing, a man said he paid $52,000 for solar equipment and a battery, only for the system to begin shutting down without warning after the company went out of business.
A different customer reported being assured that the system would handle the home’s electricity needs, but said utility bills kept coming on top of a $128 monthly lease charge. The customer wrote that “my budget cannot sustain this.”
The BBB also warned that when solar installers shut down, customers can be left on their own to figure out repairs or technical issues. A project that was supposed to improve a home can instead become a costly source of stress.
FROM OUR PARTNER
Want to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers that can help you save as much as $10k on installation.
To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best local options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner.
Solar can still be a worthwhile investment, even with those risks, and survey data indicates most people who go solar are satisfied with their choice. The issue is that misleading sales practices can erase those advantages when homeowners are steered into agreements that do not match their finances, their property, or the system’s real-world output.
Done right, going solar is one of the best ways to save money on home energy over time. To avoid costly surprises, homeowners can use free tools from EnergySage to get quick solar installation estimates and compare quotes from installers before making a decision.
Misleading messaging can begin with the initial sales approach. In one ScamTracker complaint, a homeowner said a door-to-door salesperson was “claiming he could get me a new roof plus solar equipment, with a government rebate for 26% off cost, essentially paying for the new roof.”
Before agreeing to anything, homeowners should do research into the company. The BBB advises reviewing complaints, checking whether the business is BBB-accredited, requesting references, and collecting three written estimates.
💡Go deep on the latest news and trends shaping the residential solar landscape
It also makes sense to avoid salespeople who push for an immediate signature, to ask thorough questions about the contract, and to double-check any advertised federal, state, or local incentives.
Free comparison services can make that process much easier. With EnergySage’s help, the average person can save up to $10,000 on solar purchases and installations. Tools such as EnergySage’s solar map show the average cost of a home solar panel system on a state-by-state level, along with details on solar panel incentives for each state. Together, these resources can help readers get the best price for rooftop solar panels and access available incentives.
Adding battery storage to a solar setup is one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, save money on energy, and go off-grid. Homeowners interested in backup power can explore free tools from EnergySage for information about home battery storage options, including competitive installation estimates.
Get TCD’s free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.

source