Recent Scam Tactics Market Free Solar Panels to Consumers
A recent article posted by the Department of Energy explored a scam that could impact consumers with potential interest in Solar. Cold callers are reaching out to property owners offering free solar panels to interested parties, as well as claiming that legitimate solar companies are currently mandated by the federal government to offer free solar panels and installation. In all reality, no profitable company would be able to market free solar panels to customers and the federal government has by no means mandated them to do so.
The Risks of the Scam
In most scam situations the scammers are looking for financial information; these scams are no different. While the caller may be offering free solar panels they will likely ask for some form of bank information, social security number, or credit card number to secure a faulty deposit that they promise to return after installation. In other instances, scammers will use the allure of free solar panels as a means to market your personal information as a lead to reputable solar companies. One easy way to make sure you are working with a credible solar installer is by checking if they are certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioner (NABCEP). While some people believe these scams are far away from Montana, we have been contacted by a number of potential customers asking about free solar panels after receiving information from a scammer. For additional information on this scam tactic, checkout this article published by the US Department of Energy.
Solar Panels Are Dropping in Price
At this point, no one can or should be marketing free solar panels, but the truth is solar panels have never been more accessible to the American consumer. With constantly evolving technology in the industry, solar panels are dropping in price of manufacturing while increasing in energy generation efficiency. Additionally, when President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act in August of 2022, he extended the Federal Tax Credit for renewable energy projects to 2032. Biden was also able to increase the Tax Credit percentage to 30% of total project costs. In short, if you are looking to invest in solar panels, there has never been a better time.
While nothing in life comes totally free, at Northstone Solar we are proud to offer free consultations, site visits and preliminary designs for interested property owners. For more information on the viability of solar on your property, contact our team at Northstone Solar today.