Should I Trust Solar Door Knockers?

Should I Trust Solar Door Knockers?

 

In recent years there has been an explosion in residential solar adoption due to a massive push federally, culturally, and locally in many places. With this huge transition many doorknockers have started coming to households. This raises a huge question, Should I Trust Solar Door Knockers?

It is easy to say "Not Interested," and push these individuals away, but solar is here to stay and door-to-door sales has become a common method of marketing solar products and installations by many companies. However, it's also true that many homeowners have concerns about the legitimacy and cost of going solar. In this extensive guide, we aim to address these concerns comprehensively and guide you through the process of making informed decisions about solar energy.

Section 1: Understanding the Door-to-Door Solar Sales Landscape

While it's easy to assume that all door-to-door sales are scams, the truth is more nuanced. To understand whether you should trust solar door knockers, it's essential to first grasp why this sales approach is so prevalent in the residential solar industry. Door-to-door sales offer a direct and personal way to introduce homeowners to the benefits of solar power. For many, door knockers are the only exposure they have had to the renewable energy push besides the occasional solar farm they see while driving along a highway.

Door knocking brings a product to you that is new to a market where customer ignorance is high. These knockers unknowingly are product ambassadors that educate people about something new and unfamiliar. If people knew solar programs inside and out, door knockers would not have a job. Product ignorance is why door knockers exist. A solar salesperson usually has far more knowledge about the nuances of solar programs. As a result, many are passionate about their work and see what they do as a positive impact on the environment and people's lives.

However, like any sales method, door knocking has its advantages and disadvantages. 

Advantages:

  • Knowledgeable source: Solar programs are different power company to power company, state to state. (Country to country even). You could be an expert electrician but that is only one piece of the puzzle. Solar is only taking off due to the infrastructure built around it to support it. A solar salesperson should have workable knowledge on the product, financing programs, power company programs, the current laws, and local benefits to solar. This is near impossible to find on google
  • Personal Touch: The reason that door knocking has stuck around is because it works. Putting a face to a company allows for a more personal experience than filling out an online form.
  • Convenient: The company comes to you, not the other way around.  

 Disadvantages:

  • Ignorance can be taken advantage of: Legitimate door knockers are there to educate, scammers are there to take advantage of this ignorance.
  • Annoyance: Door knocking should bring solar to everyone and gives a face to the idea. However, sometimes that face isn't the best representation of the industry. If you have ever dealt with rude or pushy salespeople, you begin to think they all are this way. Additionally, homeowners may face annoyance when 8 different companies each send their door knocker to your neighborhood.
  • Commission: Solar Sales are primarily done by commission. This inherently isn't bad, but it can create misaligned incentives. This reduces overhead for solar companies to only support performing representatives that bring in revenue and it incentivizes the rep to help as many people switch over to solar as possible. However, if a Solar salesperson gets paid when you go solar, they may push solar when it isn't even in your own self interest. If a rep has not been paid for the month because of no sales, and if bills are around the corner, it may be hard for them to say no to a nonqualified customer wanting solar even if the solar system does not benefit them.


With these downsides it is easy to understand why people may be worried about scams. Don't worry, there are ways to recognize the legitimate sellers from the illegitimate ones! 

Section 2: Recognizing Legitimate Door-to-Door Solar Sellers

Remember, door knockers are human too. Try not to dehumanize people because you heard scam companies exist. Just because you have run into a rude person before does not mean this person deserves to be guilty of another's actions. To ensure that you're dealing with legitimate solar sales representatives, here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Always ask for credentials and company information.
  • Verify the identity and licensing of the salesperson.
  • Be cautious if the salesperson pressures you into making an immediate decision or asks for payment upfront. A door knocker needs to gather energy usage information to see how much solar is required. These solar analysis are the equivalent of creating a bid, this should be a free service.
  • Even legitimate solar door knockers will still want to schedule

Remember that legitimate sales representatives will be happy to provide information about their company, certifications, and references from satisfied customers. 

Section 3: The Role of Trustworthy Solar Installers

Because a sales rep may be incentivized by commission, a major key to a successful solar transition lies in choosing a reputable solar installer. Here's why it matters:

  • Some states or power companies maintain trusted installer lists, which can serve as a valuable resource.
  • Trusted installers will not jeopardize their good reputation and hard earned trusted installer list with bad sales agents. A bad solar rep in a good company will be reprimanded and retrained or fired right away, depending on the severity of their actions.
  • Trusted installers ensure the quality and reliability of your solar system.
  • Trusted installers hold the liability if anything goes wrong with warranties and usually offer compensation for lost energy.
  • Getting multiple quotes from different installers can help you make an informed decision.

In addition to scrutinizing door-to-door sales, exploring trusted installers can be a prudent step towards a reliable solar journey.

Section 4: Debunking Common Solar Myths

One of the primary concerns that homeowners have about going solar is the perception that it's expensive. However, it's essential to debunk this and other common myths surrounding solar energy:

  • Solar would not be gaining massive popularity if it cost more than the power company.
  • It's an environmentally friendly choice that reduces your carbon footprint. Depending on manufacturing there may be a carbon footprint, but this is usually offset within the first 3-5 years.
  • Incentives and rebates are often available to make solar installations more affordable.
  • Financed Solar panels usually have zero down programs and payments that are equal to or less than what you currently pay for energy today.
  • Solar isn't just for long term savings. It can provide instant benefit day one with lower monthly payments and the equity it adds to the home.

If your home has a power provider that supports solar panel installation with good sell back programs, then solar from a trusted installer usually will save far more money than sticking to a utility company that will inevitably increase rates.

Section 5: Exploring Solar Products for Your Home

As we wrap up our discussion, it's worth exploring the wide range of solar products and solutions available for homeowners. As solar continues to gain popularity, it will appear more in household products as well. If you have some inherent doubt about the legitimacy of solar, then consider purchasing a smaller solar product to get first hand experience with the technology. A product that has been popular for years has been solar powered lights. Consider getting some on our website here.

Section 6: Making an Informed Decision

To make an informed decision about solar energy, it's crucial to weigh the pros and cons carefully. Here are some additional factors to consider:

  • If financing solar costs the same or less than your electric bill, is it really that expensive?
  • Compare the price of a solar system to the amount you would be spending on raising power rates over a similar payment horizon.
  • If Power Companies have been causing forest fires like in Hawaii, wouldn't one level of separation from them be nice?
  • If all else is equal to the power company, solar is still supporting the electrical infrastructure for Electric Vehicle adoption and creating a more environmentally friendly option.
  • If you plan on moving from your home, see what equity gain solar will add to determine if you should get solar for this house or just the next.

Section 7: Taking the First Steps

If you've decided to give the door knocker a chance, here is what the process should typically look like.

1. Energy Audit: Your energy usage will be analyzed to determine if there is benefit to switching over to solar. This often involves access to your monthly kilowatt usage.
2. Consultation: Once the audit has been done, it is often common for an experience solar representative to come by, break down the audit with you, and determine with you if you should go solar. Have a list of questions ready that concern you about solar and what you hope to get out of it. It is in the interest of the solar representative to have you sign paperwork same day. This is because the individual may be busy with many other clients and not have time for extensive follow-up emails or simply due to the fact that the odds of a sale happening are highest in a meeting and decrease each day past that. Before signing paperwork verify where the committal point is! Every company works differently so some may just give the mandatory 72 hour window, while other companies will extend the committal point as far back as you need.
3. Inspection: This can occur either before, during, or after the consultation, depending upon the solar company. The Solar company must check your roof, attic, electrical system to verify that the solar is compatible with your home. If this happens after your committal point, verify ahead of time that a failed inspection voids your agreement.
4. Research and Quotes: Request quotes from multiple solar installation companies. Compare their offerings, pricing, and warranties. Don't just go for the cheapest one and reject the original door knocker. A common business tactic to win bids is to undercut the competition by a little once they know what the original bid was. Either don't mention you are looking for other bids to get honest impressions of both companies or give the original company a chance to counteroffer with their best bid. Remember: a solar representative often works on commission, the original bid is what they feel comfortable selling at (5 sales in a month x $1000 commission = $5k month). However, a solar representative will lower their bid if competition is involved because they would rather earn some money on a deal than none.
4. Financing Options: Explore financing options, including solar loans, leases, and incentives, to determine the most cost-effective solution for your home. Options drastically vary in year term and even whether to buy down points. Many programs have extensive background or credit checks to verify there is no fraud with government incentive money.
 5. Choosing an Installer: Select a reputable solar installer with a proven track record and positive customer reviews. Ensure they are licensed and certified.
6. Installation and Monitoring: Verify you will have a monitoring system with the solar. If so then once you've chosen an installer, schedule the installation. Afterward, regularly monitor your solar system's performance to ensure it's working optimally. While rare, if there are issues with the solar, it usually will happen within the first year due to a faulty panel, mismanaged wires, or other fault in install.
7. Enjoy the Benefits: Sit back and enjoy the benefits of clean, renewable energy, reduced energy bills, and a lower carbon footprint.

    Conclusion:

    In conclusion, while skepticism is a healthy approach when dealing with door-to-door sales, it's crucial not to dismiss the potential benefits of solar energy altogether. By understanding the landscape of door-to-door solar sales, recognizing trustworthy representatives and installers, debunking common myths, evaluating the financial aspects, and taking the first steps toward solar adoption, you can make an informed and confident decision about embracing solar power for your home.

    Remember that a reliable solar journey begins with trust and knowledge. Should you have any further questions or require additional guidance, we're here to assist you on your path to cleaner, greener energy. Depending on the volume of responses, we may be able to personally assist homeowners in the solar process from beginning to end by researching their market to determine whether their home would be a good fit for solar, then reaching out on your behalf with solar companies to negotiate to their best offer. This would be done for FREE, but assistance is on first come - first serve basis. Reach out today to see if we can help.

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