I-Team: Georgians complain solar sales reps misled them about tax credit

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Published 2022-05-18
By Randy Travis
Published May 17, 2022

TEMPLE, Ga. - Powering your home with the sun is not cheap.

To help bring the costs down for home solar, Congress approved a big 26% tax credit — money you get directly back on your taxes.

But a hidden camera FOX 5 I-Team investigation showed how some companies leave customers wrongly thinking they qualify. And by the time they learn the truth, it’s too late to cancel.

"I hate a liar," complained Charles Schwable. "It feels like you got taken to the cleaners."

FULL STORY: www.fox5atlanta.com/news/georgians-complain-solar-…

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All Comments (21)
  • @wrxsubaru02
    I bet that sales guy was doing exactly how they trained him and they used him as a scapegoat to shift the blame.
  • I had a solar salesman tell me his panels are so durable you can drive a truck on them. I asked for a demonstration he told me well hypothetical speaking.
  • @back-woods
    It should be illegal to lie or distort the truth in order to sell anything (especially something so expensive)
  • Our solar system was $15,000. My wife works so we did get a 22% tax credit.
  • @Bremend
    These costs are way to high for the number of panels/batteries being installed (as shown at least)
  • @vinlago
    Don't ask utility companies about taxes. Ask a CPA. Ask utility companies if they buy back excess power and if they top up a minimal bill. For example if your connection fee is $15 and you have 0kwh do they charge another fee to bring up the monthly amount to $32?
  • @PapaSpades
    I hate that people are lying like this and making things difficult for the rest of us doing things the right way
  • @Rangerscott69
    "Protect our customers." Lolz. Contracts are to protect the business.
  • @ronkpaws1
    My wife asked me about solar and I told her that at our age it does not make sense. If I was 20 years old, I might consider it, but not at 69 years old. Finish paying off the house then all you need to do is pay for utilities and insurance.
  • @jpparker19
    One important detail is your utility company's monthly connection charge. My servicing EMC increased their charge from $13.00 to $45.00 for net metering. It's no accident they are trying to discourage solar.
  • Powerhome Solar is the biggest scam company out right now. Their CEO is FILTHY RICH off of this. He's sleazy too. Solar is the best modern scam.
  • @wolfejar
    Wow. Here in Colorado I was fortunate to work with an amazing local company. Solar is actually a really good investment for me. Mine pay offs in about 8-9years. I have 25 year warranty. At worse I have 16years of “free power” I’m over people and their greed to scam and take advantage of good innocent people like these people. Shame on these companies.
  • Most of the companies are charging around 10k just for installation and then mark up the parts by 40%. I've talked to at least 5 of these companies and they all have tried to tell me how they use the best parts and how that tax credit will help. They are scam artists playing salesman. Buy the system yourself and find a local installer will save you about 30% .
  • @ASmith-jn7kf
    No there's no excuse for that, that's a lot of money and that's just ridiculous to be willing to pay that without reading the contract.
  • @Betty-qd8st
    Wait.. so it’s for high income people. ? Thanks Congress
  • These systems are huge. Mine was. 15kw system with two Tesla power walls. $40k before tax incentive. Haven’t used energy from the grid since installed. However, Florida power and light now charges a minimum $25 energy charge, (plus the $9 charge for being connected).
  • @mtnbikr107
    Wow, this is a good deal. To get my monthly energy bill from $200 per month to zero via solar, I have to pay $70k for the solar install. The investment will pay itself off in 29.1 years.