We’ve all seen the warning signs: solar panels installed behind giant trees, nightmare stories on social media, or yet another solar company shutting down overnight.
Unfortunately, these situations aren’t rare; they’re signs of a deeper trust problem in the solar industry.
At Paradise Energy, we’ve spent over 15 years helping homeowners, farmers, and business leaders make confident, informed decisions about going solar. So let’s take a hard look at why the industry has lost trust—and more importantly, how you can avoid becoming another horror story.
1. High Pressure Sales & Misleading Offers
One of the most frustrating problems in solar? The sales process.
Many people are pitched offers like “free solar” or “no out-of-pocket cost,” only to later discover the hidden catches. These deals often come with long-term lease agreements or power purchase agreements (PPAs) that reduce flexibility and come with escalating costs.
Solar is a long-term investment that impacts your finances and taxes. It should never be a rushed decision.
How to protect yourself:
- Take time to understand the fine print
- Compare ownership vs. leasing options
- Watch out for pressure tactics or unclear claims
- Run your solar proposal by your accountant or financial adivsor for a third-party professional review
2. Unrealistic Warranties
Another major red flag? Installation companies offering extended warranties. If they sound too good to be true, they likely are.
Some solar companies promise 25- or even 30-year warranties on everything, but they don’t price that into the project. Warranty work costs money. If a company isn’t building those future costs into its business model, those warranties aren’t sustainable.
We’ve seen too many companies offer lengthy guarantees without any track record of profitability or long-term viability. And it’s often these same companies that are racing to the bottom with their pricing, having only been in business for a few years, with no real proof that they’ll be here to honor their promises decades from now.
How to protect yourself:
- Choose a company with a long-term track record of profitability
- Ask if they have an in-house maintenance and warranty service team
- Don’t be fooled by flashy warranty claims without digging into the details
3. Companies That Disappear After the Sale
Even if you get through the sales pitch and sign the contract, you’re not in the clear yet. A staggering number of solar companies go out of business just a few years after starting up.
And when that happens, you’re left with an orphaned solar system that has no service, no support, and no one to call when something goes wrong.
At Paradise Energy, we’ve had many system owners reach out to us for help with systems we didn’t install, because the original installer went out of business. While we’re always happy to help, this is not a situation you want to find yourself in.
How to protect yourself:
- Research how long the company has been in business
- Make sure they’ve weathered industry ups and downs
- Ask what their process is for service calls and warranty work
- Ensure you have all the important information about your system (system one-line drawings, warranty documents, etc.), so that you’re prepared if you need to work with another company down the road.
4. Poor Workmanship & Bad System Design
You’ve likely seen it before—solar panels partially shaded by trees or misplaced conduit. Unfortunately, these aren’t just cosmetic issues.
Poor design and sloppy installation can wreck your system’s performance and undermine the savings you were counting on. In some cases, poor workmanship issues lead to more than just cosmetic issues. They can lead to safety hazards.
Solar only works well when it’s installed well. That means doing the homework up front, which should include careful site planning, shading analysis, and experienced installers.
How to protect yourself:
- Ask lots of questions
- Read customer reviews and check installer certifications to ensure they have a proven track record
- Ask about the company’s design process and ask to see your design ahead of install day
- Make sure they conduct on-site evaluations before the design process begins – the earlier in the process, the better
How to Find a Trustworthy Solar Company in an Industry That Lacks Trust
The good news? Not every solar company operates this way. There are many solar companies that run their businesses and serve their customers in the right way.
At Paradise Energy, we’re not perfect, but we are committed to doing what’s right for our customers. That means:
- No-pressure consultations: We’ll tell you if solar doesn’t make sense
- Custom system designs: Based on location analysis, detailed shading studies, and your goals of investing in solar
- Industry-leading guarantees: our Triple Ten Guarantee backs our workmanship and guarantees the production for the first 10 years
Solar should be a wise, predictable investment, not a gamble. We’re here to make sure your solar investment performs for decades to come.
While there are bad actors in the industry, there are also companies like Paradise Energy that are committed to earning your trust every step of the way. If you’re considering solar and want a partner who puts your best interests first, we’d be honored to help. Reach out for a free, no-pressure consultation and let’s talk about what a solar investment could look like for you.
