RFP Staff
♦ Federal investigators are looking into allegations that some companies and contractors are price gouging consumers for installing solar electric systems on their homes. With no intentions of tarnishing any company’s good name, the allegations include the overpricing of solar photovoltaic installations, in order for the contractors to get a larger chunks of those consumers’ federal, and some states’, tax credits.
With some of the more unscrupulous installers, it’s not much different from the historic rehabilitation “racket”. So consumers should not get too caught up in the expiring state credits in North Carolina, and overpay by at least the amount of the soon expiring credits. When making a 10-year or more capital purchase, the looming threat of the expiring credit may cause a “hard sell” maneuver by some of the less scrupulous sales representatives.
Again, not singling out any particular installers in any region of the State. But the risk for consumers is falling victim to a year-end sales pitch for which they may have buyer’s remorse for the next decade.
