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TL;DR – How to Analyze a Solar Quote
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Beware of misleading sales tactics: Some companies present binding contracts as “just a design preview.”
Scrutinize financial projections: Ensure savings estimates reflect system degradation and realistic assumptions.
Understand tax credit claims: Not all parts of your install qualify—watch for non-eligible items like roofing.
Evaluate guarantees and warranties: Long-term (10+ years) production guarantees offer better value.
Choose transparent providers: Go with companies offering clear, pressure-free information and terms.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][/vc_section][vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_custom_heading text=”Common Red Flags” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:30|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”” el_id=”tactics”][vc_column_text css=””]
1. Misleading signatures.
The Claim: “Sign here. It’s just saying that we gave you a design preview/proposal.”
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Reality.
You just signed a legally binding contract just to see the proposal for solar! And the clock is ticking on cancellation.
Example Fee Risk: $500-$1,000 if you don’t cancel in writing within 3 days.
At A&R Solar, we believe a quote should be a quote—not a trap.
- We never require a signed contract to provide pricing.
- We clearly inform homeowners when they are entering a legally binding agreement.
- And we honor the full three-day cancellation period without pressuring anyone to commit on the spot.
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2. Shady Financing: “$0 Payments for 18 Months.”
The Claim: “No payments for 18 months!”
“Get $5,000 cash back after install!”
“It’s like getting paid to go solar!”
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Reality.
You’re paying yourself back — with borrowed money.
Here’s how it actually works:
- The installer inflates the system price to cover the so-called “cash back” or deferred payments.
- You take out a larger loan than needed, often $7,000–$15,000 more.
- They cut you a check or delay payments — but you’re still on the hook for the full loan amount.
- Over time, you pay interest on the inflated total, not just the true cost of your system.
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Real Example
Let’s dig into a real-world example.
Pro tip: If you use ChatGPT, you can upload your quotes and ask it to look for red flags.
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3. Inflated tax credit claims
The Claim: “Get 30% tax credit on the entire project–including your roof!”
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Reality.
No, no, no. The IRS only allows credits for:
- Solar panels
- Inverters
- Mounting hardware
- Solar batteries
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_section][vc_row][vc_column el_class=”.rounded-dark-background, ul.white-bullets li::marker”][vc_separator el_width=”90″ css=””][vc_custom_heading text=”Quote Comparisons (Real Examples)” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:30|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”” el_id=”shenanigans”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text css=””]Below are actual quotes that have been sent to us from two national solar companies for different projects. Both were using heavy pressure to get the homeowner to sign right away.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]
Quote 1: “Sunshine & Shenanigans”
5.06 kW system | $28,138 loan (through their lender) | 123% offset claim
- Projected Savings: -$267 over 30 years (yes, you lose money in the longterm)
- Production Guarantee: Only 2 year and doesn’t detail how you’d be compensated
- Gimmick: “$0 for 18 months” – paid back with your loan
- Issue: Paying more money than staying with your utility
- What’s Missing: Long-term performance protection, reasonable price, and transparency
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Quote 2: “Glow Hard Solar”
Includes full re-roof | $70,267 loan (through their lender) | $50,607 loan
- Tax Credit Misstatement: Claims $22k credit including roof–this is not allowed.
- Loan Trickery: “Low 3.99%” loan is tied to nearly $20,000 markup
- Actual System Cost: Inflated to cover financing
- Risk: IRS audit or penalties + a loan-term overpayment
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Quote 3: A&R Solar and Local Solar Companies
- Transparent quote, no signature needed to view!
- Legitimate tax credit guidance
- Realistic production estimates backed by real numbers for 10 years
- Long-term guarantees (10–25 years)
- No gimmicky loan structures
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator el_width=”90″ css=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][/vc_section][vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”How to Protect Yourself (With Real Examples)” font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:30|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”” el_id=”yourself”][vc_column_text css=””]Before signing anything, ask the right questions. What seems like a simple quote could turn out to be a binding contract—with hidden costs, misleading math, or vague protections.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””][wptb id=36261][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Not all solar companies operate with integrity. Some rely on misleading language, fuzzy math, and vague guarantees to close deals fast.
Solar is a big investment, and you should not be pressured to make a decision from a place of fear or misinformation.
When you ask the right questions and look past the surface, you’ll find the truth buried in the quote. Solar should be transparent, not tricky.
Companies like A&R Solar prove that solar done right can be a safe, low-risk investment with clear returns, fair terms, and long-term protection.
If you’ve received a quote that seems “off,” we’re happy to break it down and show you what’s really going on.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes”][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_btn title=”Give Us A Call” color=”green” size=”lg” css=”” link=”url:tel%3A%2B1%20(206)%20707-9937″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_btn title=”Request A Quote” color=”green” size=”lg” css=”” link=”url:%2Fcontact%2F”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][/vc_row][/vc_section][vc_section el_class=”.rounded-dark-background”][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”The Solar Scam Series” font_container=”tag:h4|font_size:30|text_align:center|color:%23FFFFFF” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=””][vc_column_text css=””]
This is just one of the many solar scams homeowners need to watch out for. Keep reading our Solar Scams Series to stay informed and protect yourself from other common tricks used by shady solar salespeople.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes”][vc_column width=”1/2″][gem_textbox content_background_color=”#F4F6F7″ rectangle_corner=”lt” border_color=”#DD9933″ border_radius=”10″][vc_column_text css=””] Exposed: The Tricks Hidden in Your Solar Quote[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”black” css=””][vc_column_text css=””]Learn how shady companies hide fees and overpromise savings[/vc_column_text][/gem_textbox][gem_textbox rectangle_corner=”lt” border_color=”#DD9933″ border_radius=”10″][vc_column_text css=””] The Truth Behind ‘Free Solar’ Offers[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”black” css=””][vc_column_text css=””]Uncover the fine print in those zero-cost solar ads[/vc_column_text][/gem_textbox][gem_textbox rectangle_corner=”lt” border_color=”#DD9933″ border_radius=”10″][vc_column_text css=””] Low Interest Rate? High Dealer Fees You Didn’t See[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”black” css=””][vc_column_text css=””]These ‘cheap’ loans may cost thousands more than you think[/vc_column_text][/gem_textbox][gem_textbox rectangle_corner=”lt” border_color=”#DD9933″ border_radius=”10″][vc_column_text css=””] No, You Can’t Claim Solar Depreciation For Your Home[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”black” css=””][vc_column_text css=””]This business-only tax perk is being misused in sales pitches[/vc_column_text][/gem_textbox][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][gem_textbox rectangle_corner=”lt” border_color=”#DD9933″ border_radius=”10″][vc_column_text css=””] Act Fast? Not So Fast—Solar’s Fake Deadlines[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”black” css=””][vc_column_text css=””]Why urgency tactics are a huge red flag in solar sales[/vc_column_text][/gem_textbox][gem_textbox rectangle_corner=”lt” border_color=”#DD9933″ border_radius=”10″][vc_column_text css=””] No, Your Roof Isn’t Covered by the Solar Tax Credit[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”black” css=””][vc_column_text css=””]Salespeople love saying it is—here’s why they’re wrong[/vc_column_text][/gem_textbox][gem_textbox rectangle_corner=”lt” border_color=”#DD9933″ border_radius=”10″][vc_column_text css=””] 100% Offset? The Myth of the Perfect Solar System[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”black” css=””][vc_column_text css=””]Promises of total energy savings often don’t add up[/vc_column_text][/gem_textbox][gem_textbox rectangle_corner=”lt” border_color=”#DD9933″ border_radius=”10″][vc_column_text css=””] Free Panel Removal Later? Think Again[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”black” css=””][vc_column_text css=””]What happens when your roof needs work and your installer ghosts you[/vc_column_text][/gem_textbox][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][gem_textbox rectangle_corner=”lt” border_color=”#DD9933″ border_radius=”10″][vc_column_text css=””] Vetted by Utilities? Check That Claim Twice[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”black” css=””][vc_column_text css=””]Some companies falsely claim their from your utility to earn your trust[/vc_column_text][/gem_textbox][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][/vc_row][/vc_section]
