4 Solar Mistakes You Can't Afford to Make!
When it comes to going solar, there are some major benefits – but there are also some gigantic and costly mistakes you can make. Sadly, far too many people make these mistakes and completely ruin some of the most important benefits of going solar. If you’re thinking about making the switch to solar, it’s really important to avoid these dead ends and money traps.
That’s where we come in – two guys who started out as total beginners, but through trial and error, plenty of research, and help from a few industry experts, learned what to do, and, more importantly, learned what not to do.
So, if you want to avoid these major mistakes and get the most out of solar, let’s get down to it. Trust us, your future self will thank you.
The Solar “Gold Rush” (and Why It’s Not All Good News)
Before we get into the four major mistakes, let’s talk about what’s happening in the solar industry right now. The current landscape is almost like a solar gold rush – utility prices are rising, the cost of solar equipment has dropped substantially, while federal, state, and local tax incentives are rolling out everywhere. All of this means that solar is looking more financially appealing than ever before.
But here’s the kicker: this “gold rush” isn’t exactly benefiting all homeowners. Financial lenders, local installers with virtually zero legitimate solar experience, and commission-based, door-to-door sellers and all trying to make a quick buck on the back of the solar industry.
The truth is, they don’t care about you, your financial situation, or even if the solar power system they sell you is the right fit for your home.
Basically, a lot of people that are getting into solar are also getting ripped off. Even worse, most of these people won’t even realize it until a few years down the line. Don’t be that person!
The Four Mistakes to Avoid
On that note, let’s take a look at the four most common and costly mistakes solar newbies make:
Mistake #1: Buying Solar Equipment WITHOUT Batteries
This one blows our minds. If someone is trying to sell you a solar power system that doesn’t even come with batteries, run away – like, Forrest Gump-style, just keep running.
Why? Imagine buying a car, but being told it doesn’t have a fuel tank. It’s kind of like that. Without batteries, you can’t store any power. In other words, if the grid goes down at night, so does your power. Basically, you’re in the same situation as your neighbour down the street who didn’t spend all that money to install a solar power system. All those shiny new solar panels on your roof? They’re pretty much useless.
A solar power system without batteries means you can’t store the power your solar panels work so hard to generate. You can’t use your solar power at night, during grid outages, or pretty much any time when you would need it most. At best, you’re just feeding your solar power back into the grid and hoping for the best. That’s not energy independence – that’s just a waste of time and money. Your solar setup is pretty much just a set up for disappointment.
Sure, a hybrid solar power system can certainly make sense for some people, but without batteries, you’re drastically limiting the overall practicality and financial benefits of going solar.
Mistake #2: Incorrectly Sizing Your Solar Power System
Ah, those annoying door-to-door salespeople. You know what they’re like – they knock, flash a shiny brochure, refuse to take no for an answer, and tell you pretty much anything you want to hear to secure the sale. This is typical for most door-to-door sales, but with solar, their upselling or one-size-fits-all sales tactics can really screw you over.
That’s because most of these professional sellers will tell you to base your solar power system size on your current electric bill. It’s a common sales tactic, and it’s pretty much terrible advice. It makes a solar power system seem like an obvious solution to your current problem.
Your solar power system shouldn’t be sized based on your electricity bills; it should be based on your overall power consumption – both current and what it will be in the future. You always want to aim a little higher than your current needs to account for growth. Kids? They’ll use more power as they get older. Thinking of getting a new EV, like a Tesla? Factor that in. Maybe you’ll start working from home or set up a home business in the future. These are all things that could greatly increase your power consumption.
With solar, more power is always better than too little. Because guess what? If your system doesn’t cover your needs, you’ll be paying both your solar financing and the utility company at the same time – a costly double whammy.
The truth is, many of these door-to-door salespeople are on 100% commission contracts and they don’t even work directly for the solar companies or the installers they are claiming to represent. They are just out there to secure the sale, so you shouldn’t let them talk to you like they’re experts when they probably only attended a two-hour sales seminar on a Sunday afternoon.
Mistake #3: Leasing Your System
Leasing a solar system might sound like the most affordable option, especially when it’s pitched as a “zero down” solution, but here’s the thing – leasing is the ultimate solar scam!
When you lease, you don’t own the equipment, meaning you miss out on all the juicy tax credits and rebates. Plus, these companies are raking in profits by locking you into long-term contracts with insane interest rates. They make money off of you financing, while you get stuck with a system that you don’t even own. When it’s all said and done, they keep the equipment. You’re basically letting a company use your property, then paying them for the privilege.
That’s why you see all these financial institutions jumping into solar. They’re not trying to help you, and they certainly don’t care about the environment or sustainability – they’re trying to make money off of you. Don’t let them. Own your system.
Whether you pay cash up front, take out a loan, or finance to own, you’ll come out way ahead in the long run compared to a leasing agreement. And by the way, if that door-to-door salesperson is pushing leasing options, it’s probably time to slam the door and do some of your own research. You should also thank your lucky stars and buy a lottery ticket because you just avoided getting saddled with one of the worst deals in the entire solar industry.
Remember, going solar isn’t as complicated as it seems in the beginning. Our videos and articles are proof. Just by taking the time to have a base level understanding of how solar equipment works, you’ll realize how easy it is to install some of this stuff yourself, and how badly most people are getting ripped off!
Mistake #4: Buying on Emotion
Emotional purchases can be a nice little reward when it comes to small things, like snacks, new clothes, or that little gadget you’ve had your eyes on – but when it’s your home’s power supply? Not so much.
Solar salespeople love to play on your emotions. They'll appeal to urgency and tell you that you’ve “got to act now”, or you'll miss out. Many will also push the environmental angle, or tell you that solar equipment prices are about to skyrocket. Don’t fall for it.
Never buy a full solar power system on impulse. It should be a measured decision where you have taken the time to do the research, talked to legit experts, and assessed your financial situation.
If you’re seriously considering going solar, take the time to do research that is tailored to your exact needs and situation, including how much power you need, how much power you can realistically generate, where you live, which tax incentives you can apply for, and what type of system you should install to meet your needs.
You can also talk to reputable DIY solar companies, like Signature Solar or Shop Solar, read and watch reviews on individual components, and make sure anyone you hire to help you install your equipment has the proper certifications.
Naturally, we’re huge proponents of solar, and think going solar is a great idea for most people – but only when those people get the right system, with the right components, and have it installed by the right people.
Our Final Words:
There’s lots more to learn about going solar, and we always encourage our viewers and readers to do their own research, but if you take anything away from this article, just remember to avoid the big four mistakes:
Get Batteries: Without them, you might as well go without a solar power system.
Size Your System Correctly: Think beyond your current electric bill, or what some pushy salesperson tells you that you need.
Own, Don’t Lease: Leasing will cost you way more in the long run than owning.
Don’t Allow Emotions Make Decisions for You: Do your research and avoid getting ripped off because a crafty salesperson got you to make an impulsive decision.
At the end of the day, going solar can be one of the best decisions you make for your home and your finances. Just make sure you do it the right way!
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