By Andrew Cohen (Director of Sales)
We are living in a pivotal moment for clean energy in the United States. More than ever, homeowners are looking to take control of their energy future by installing solar panels and battery storage systems. Rising utility rates, increased frequency of power outages, and growing environmental concerns have made solar adoption not only practical, but almost essential. Add in government incentives like the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), and the financial benefits become even more attractive.
But here’s the problem: that window of opportunity is narrowing—and fast.
While the ITC currently offers homeowners a substantial tax credit for installing solar and storage systems, the future of these incentives is uncertain. Legislative shifts, budget negotiations, and politics have left many homeowners wondering: Will I still qualify next year? Will the credit shrink or disappear altogether?
That uncertainty is pushing many families to act quickly—and rightfully so. But haste often leads to vulnerability. And that vulnerability is exactly what some solar companies are counting on.
The Rise of Predatory Pricing Tactics
In this urgent, high-demand environment, many solar companies are resorting to unethical sales practices to win business. One of the most common is a bait-and-switch tactic: companies lure in customers with impossibly low quotes, knowing full well those prices won’t stick.
Here’s how it usually works: a salesperson provides a quote that’s significantly lower than competitors. It sounds like a dream—thousands less for the same system. But once the homeowner signs a contract and the company performs the site evaluation, suddenly, that dream becomes a financial nightmare. The costs balloon through a series of change orders, permit adjustments, equipment upgrades, or vague “site-specific” conditions that weren’t mentioned earlier.
By the time the homeowner sees the final numbers, they’re often left with two bad choices: walk away and risk missing the tax credit window by starting the process over, or move forward and absorb the higher cost.
It’s a classic pressure tactic: get the signature now, reveal the truth later, and rely on urgency to force the sale. The sad reality? Many homeowners comply—not because they want to, but because they feel they have no other option.
“Buying cheap solar is like saving money by eating fast food; it will cost you a lot more in the long run.” – Andrew Cohen
This kind of manipulation underscores a fundamental truth in the solar industry—and in life: You get what you pay for.
Trying to go cheap on a major infrastructure upgrade like solar and battery storage is like trying to stay healthy on a fast food diet. Sure, it might seem cost-effective up front. But in the long run, you’ll pay more—through unreliable systems, poor warranties, subpar components, and yes, those infamous truck roll fee’s. Unlike fast food, you can’t just toss a bad solar system in the trash and start over. That cheap solar system with poor maintenance, or no company there to service it, will cost you far more than you save up front. Just one month of no production from a system could cost you hundreds of dollars. Just 8% more degradation in a cheap solar panel, or clipping from a poorly sized inverter can cost tens of thousands in savings over 25 years.
Solar is an investment—a decades-long one. The decisions you make today will affect your home’s energy production, safety, and resale value for 20 to 30 years. Cutting corners or trusting the wrong company can leave you stuck with higher bills, maintenance headaches, or worse, a system that simply doesn’t perform at all.
What to Look for in a Trustworthy Solar Partner
So, how do you protect yourself? The first step is to treat your solar purchase like the investment it is. Here are a few key tips to make sure you don’t get burned:
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- Ask if the pricing is final after the site visit.
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- Request a detailed breakdown of what’s included. Panels, inverters, batteries, permits..—get it in writing.
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- Research the company’s reputation. Look at customer reviews, Better Business Bureau ratings, and complaint histories.
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- Be wary of high-pressure sales tactics. If you’re being rushed to sign without time to review the contract, that’s a red flag. While promotions are often encapsulated with a deadline, never make a decision with a ticking clock in mind.
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- Insist on transparency. Any hesitation to explain costs or answer questions is a sign of future problems.
The NRG Clean Power Difference
At NRG Clean Power, we believe solar should be simple, honest, and fair. We never bait customers with too-good-to-be-true quotes, and we don’t bury our real prices in the fine print. We offer transparent, flat-rate pricing from the very beginning—no hidden fees, no last-minute surprises.
Our goal isn’t just to sell you solar; it’s to make you a solar success story. That means using only top-tier equipment, providing full-service support, and ensuring your system is designed for optimal long-term performance, not short-term sales wins.
We understand the pressure homeowners feel right now. We know the clock is ticking on tax incentives, and we know that bad actors are making the decision process harder than it should be. That’s why we’ve built our business around earning trust, not taking advantage of uncertainty.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Urgency Lead to Regret
Yes, the urgency is real. Yes, time is limited. But you don’t have to choose between speed and integrity. You can act now and work with a company that treats you with honesty and respect.
If you’re considering solar, take the time to do it right. Ask the hard questions. Understand the numbers. And don’t be afraid to walk away from a deal that doesn’t feel right—even if it seems cheap on paper.
Because the truth is, the cheapest option almost always ends up being the most expensive.
Choose quality. Choose transparency. Choose a partner who’s in it for the long haul.
Choose NRG Clean Power.
