7 Warning Signs You Got Scammed by a Solar Company

Solar energy can be a great investment — when it's sold honestly. Unfortunately, the rapid growth of the solar industry has attracted bad actors who use high-pressure tactics and misleading promises to close deals. Here are seven warning signs that your solar deal may not have been what it seemed.

1. Your Electric Bill Didn't Go Down

The #1 promise solar salespeople make is lower energy costs. If your combined solar payment and utility bill is higher than what you were paying before, something went wrong. Either the system was undersized, the savings projections were inflated, or the payment terms weren't what you understood them to be.

2. Hidden Escalation Clauses

Many solar leases include an annual payment increase of 1.5% to 3.9% — but salespeople often fail to mention this. Over a 25-year contract, a 2.9% annual escalator means your payment nearly doubles. If you didn't know about the escalator until after signing, that's a major red flag.

3. Door-to-Door High-Pressure Tactics

Legitimate solar companies don't need to pressure you into signing the same day. If your salesperson said the deal was "only available today," refused to leave written materials for you to review, or discouraged you from reading the full contract, those are classic high-pressure tactics.

4. The Contract Doesn't Match What You Were Told

Compare the verbal promises to what's actually in the contract. Common discrepancies include: the payment amount, the length of the term, who owns the panels, what happens when you sell your home, and whether there's an escalation clause. If the written terms don't match the sales pitch, you may have grounds for cancellation.

5. You Can't Sell Your Home

Solar leases create a lien on your property. Buyers often don't want to assume a 20-year solar obligation they didn't choose. If your home has been sitting on the market because of the solar lease, or if you've had to reduce your asking price, the solar contract is costing you far more than the panels themselves.

6. The Installer Has a History of Complaints

Check your solar company's BBB rating, Google reviews, and complaints filed with your state's Attorney General. If there's a pattern of similar complaints — broken promises, billing issues, poor installation quality — you're likely not the only victim.

7. You Were Told You Could "Easily" Cancel Anytime

Some salespeople tell homeowners they can cancel "anytime" or that getting out is "no big deal." In reality, most solar contracts have significant early termination fees or buyout clauses. If you were told cancellation would be easy but now you're finding it's anything but, you were misled.

What to Do If You Recognize These Signs

If any of these warning signs sound familiar, don't wait. Document everything you can remember about the sales process, gather your contract and utility bills, and get a free evaluation from an attorney who handles solar contract disputes. The sooner you act, the more options you'll have.