Roughly eight percent of US homes now have solar panels.
And even more homeowners are considering the switch.
But before you sign a contract, know the pros and cons, because some buyers end up having to pay for years and years and never see the promised savings.
Angela Thompson was excited when her elderly brother signed on to purchase rooftop solar panels after a salesman promised he would save money on his electric bill.
But her jaw dropped when she looked at the contract her brother signed.
"He doesn't have enough income to cover it," Thompson said.
She said the salesperson got her brother to agree to $129 a month for nearly two and a half decades, paying $37,000 in total, including $15,000 in interest.
"They want him to pay for 25 years," Thompson said.
But her brother is 83 years old, meaning he is supposed to pay until he is 108 years old.
CNET: Be sure to do your homework
Andrew Blok is an editor at CNET. Unfortunately, he has seen this before.
He said the top selling points for solar include savings, environmental benefits and boosted reliability.
But Blok said it’s a bad idea to rush your decision.
That's where it's easy to sign a bad contract that can wipe out your savings.
"Talk to multiple installers," he said. "Don't go with your first quote."
Next, he said do your research.
That means reading reviews online and even asking your neighbors.
“Their first-hand experience is super valuable," Blok said.
He said if you're paying cash, "don't pay all of it until your system is installed and operating.”
Finally, he said to check for savings from the government.
“You can get a 30% tax credit on the investment,” he said.
Check homeowner's guide
Garrett Nilsen is the deputy director of the Solar Energy Technologies office at the US Department of Energy.
Their website features the Homeowner's Guide to Going Solar.
“Read through the whole thing and understand the process," Nilsen said.
If solar feels like a good fit, he said this is the perfect time to flip the switch.
But as Angela Thompson and her brother learned, a bad loan can lock you in for years.
That's why you need to ask a lot of questions before signing a solar contract.
“It's not going to save him any money at all," Thompson said.
That way you don’t waste your money.
__________________________________
"Don't Waste Your Money" is a registered trademark of Scripps Media, Inc. ("Scripps").
Follow John:
- Facebook:John Matarese Money
- Instagram: @johnmataresemoney
- Twitter: @JohnMatarese
For more consumer news and money saving advice, go to www.dontwasteyourmoney.com
