Solar Spam Advertising
The first spam message was transmitted over telegraph wires in 1864. Ever since, companies have been struggling to say the right things to get their customers' attention. In regard to solar, you may have heard phrases like "Get solar at no cost!” or “Never pay utility bills again!” This would be considered solar spam. Whether it be a telemarketing call, mail brochure, TV or radio advertisement, or even an otherwise legit solar company, selling solar isn’t always easy because many people don’t understand it. So rather than educate their customers on the facts, some companies try to the bait and switch effect to get homeowners to make the move toward solar. At Green Solar Technologies, we do our diligence to provide you with only correct and useful information so that you can make a more informed decision. In this blog, we will shine the light of truth upon these spammy solar offers for you, Mr. and Mrs. Homeowner.
Some of the Most Common Solar Spam Offers
“SOLAR IS FREE”
Watch out. This statement can be deceptive. Yes, the information we provide is free. Also the energy of the sun is free and always has been. (Al Gore hasn’t figured out a way to tax it yet.) But the solar panels themselves take time, money, materials, and engineering to manufacture by certified builders. Then they need to be product-tested for efficacy and durability. Solar panel manufacturers like Mission Solar Energy are highly thorough in making sure that the solar panels you get can withstand rain, wind, snow, and even giant hail pellets belting at 260 MPH. Because of this, the solar energy system does cost money, but there are many finance options available. And once you cover the cost of the panels, you are only responsible for a meager monthly grid connectivity fee and the cost of any excess energy you take from the utility. This usually amounts to pennies on the dollar, which is why solar is just a phenomenal long-term investment, and even quite a good short-term one.
“EVERYONE IS QUALIFIED”
Well, not exactly. There are a few requirements to going solar. First, you have to be the owner of the property. If you’re not the property owner, we cannot legally sign you up for solar. Second, you need to live in a city that is generally sunny. So your amount of day time sun on average needs to work in your favor. Granted, you will generate some electricity even on cloudy days, but if it rains four days a week where you are, going solar is probably not the best option for you. Third, you will need access to a utility company that offers net metering for homeowners going solar. Net metering is critical for the utility company to be able to credit you for the energy you produce and even offer SRECs for overproduction. (If you wish to go entirely off the grid, battery backups are available for an added cost.) And fourth, it really helps to have a tax appetite. What this means is if you are liable for federal taxes, you can deduct them in the amount of up to 30% off the price of your system costs. This could be a huge money-saver for you, making an already really good deal amazing.
“GET YOUR SOLAR QUOTE INSTANTLY”
Actually, this is impossible. Anyone who can quote you on a system instantly is literally just making numbers up to amuse you. The reality is that a lot of work must necessarily go into the process for it to be accurate and useful to you. First we need to qualify you as a viable candidate for solar. Then we analyze your energy usage and local sun hour variables to determine the system size that would effectively cover your daily energy demand year-round. Once our engineers determine the optimum system size and approximate cost for your property, we show you the plans and run a credit check to see which financing terms you qualify for. From there, you select the plan that works best for you, and then we proceed with the rest of the process—namely the site inspection, gathering permits from the city, installation, and connectivity. So you see, we can’t just pull a number out of a hat. Solar doesn’t work like that! Our skilled solar consultants and engineers however are equipped with proprietary measurement software and 3D modeling technology to give you a 1–2 hour turn-around. So, not quite instant, but certainly very convenient and what’s more—it’s accurate and personalized for your specific energy requirements.
The Final Word about Solar Spam
To conclude, solar is a truly great way to win at producing your own electricity, reducing your carbon footprint, increasing your property value, and paying less for it. To learn more about going solar, visit our Solar University. Be sure to contact us for your free estimate so we can show you just how much you can save short and long-term with solar energy!
by Ged Friedman