There has been an increase in residential solar scams lately, and we want to help you protect yourself. The Treasury Department has reported a rise in consumer complaints about misleading practices by some solar companies. These practices include deceptive claims about costs and savings and aggressive sales tactics.

There have been cases of false promises such as no electric bill, free solar panels, tax rebate checks, and companies posing as electric cooperative representatives or partners. These practices can result in homeowners ending up with ineffective solar panels and facing ongoing financial burdens.

As your electric cooperative, we recommend that our members stay vigilant, thoroughly research solar contractors, and report any fraudulent activity to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.FTC.gov.

Here are some simple tips to follow if you are in the market for solar:

1. Make sure you do your research
2. Verify credentials
3. Read reviews
4. Read the fine print
5. Ask questions