How to Avoid Common Solar Scams

Quick Summary

Common Phrases	Fact Check	Why This Matters
“You can still get the federal solar tax credit”	❌ FALSE. Ends in 2025 — no federal incentive for projects completed in 2026.	Scammers use outdated incentive claims to pressure you into signing quickly.
“Free solar” paid for by the government	⚠️ MISLEADING. Leases or PPAs mean you don’t own the system, and it’s not “free.”	Leasing can be fine, but it must be explained clearly. There’s no government giveaway.
“Solar is set-it-and-forget-it — no maintenance for 25 years”	⚠️ MISLEADING. About 5–7% of systems need service each year.	Believing solar never needs care leaves homeowners unprepared for issues.
“We have special cold-weather panels for this climate”	❌ FALSE. No such thing exists.	Vendors push false equipment claims to gain an “edge.”
“Battery systems don’t work and are dangerous”	❌ FALSE. Modern systems are safe, certified, and effective.	Many installers lack training, so they cast doubt instead of offering solutions.
“We could sell you a battery, but we just don’t believe in it”	❌ FALSE (usually). Generally a bluff to mask inexperience.	Few contractors know how to install batteries correctly — Valley Solar has installed 800+.
“We can get you a 3.9% loan”	⚠️ MISLEADING. Ultra-low rates often hide baked in “dealer fees.”	If it seems too good to be true, it is. Compare the actual amount financed.
“These panels work even when covered in snow”	❌ FALSE. Panels need light — no light, no power.	Accurate production estimates *must* account for snow losses.

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What This Means for Homeowners

With the federal tax credit ending in 2025, scammers are leaning harder on false or outdated incentive claims. Recognizing these tactics protects your wallet, your property, and your long-term solar investment.

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Step-by-Step: How To Protect Yourself

1. Confirm Incentives
   No federal solar tax credit after 2025. Always check MassCEC or official state sources.
2. Decide Ownership vs. Lease/PPA
   Both can work, but they have very different long-term impacts. Know which one you’re signing. Valley Solar has the size and resources to offer both options.
3. Know who will be installing the equipment
   Make sure the vendor is a Massachusetts contractor with a valid electrician license with active insurance. Valley Solar does not outsource installations and has a large, well trained electrician team.
4. Demand Equipment Transparency
   Get panel, inverter, and battery model names in writing, with full warranty details.
5. Think service first
   Solar is a long-term investment. Don’t be swayed by “low price come-ons” or unrealistically long warranty offers. Make sure installers have a credible plan to service your warranty and that they have a dedicated service department. Valley Solar guarantees system production in writing and proactively monitors systems through SunAlert.
6. Read the Fine Print
   Watch cancellation terms, performance guarantees, escalation clauses, and equipment substitution allowances.

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Helpful Tips & Watchouts

• Use the MassCEC vetted installer list for trusted contractors. 
• Avoid “sign today” sales pressure.
• Ask for exact panel and inverter models before committing.
• Be wary of too-good-to-be-true financing claims, or bogus warranty promises.

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