The growing demand for renewable energy has been brilliant for innovation and sustainability, but it has also created opportunities for companies using high-pressure or misleading tactics. Not all of these practices are illegal, but they can leave homeowners confused, out of pocket or stuck with systems that don’t perform as promised.
This blog helps you recognise warning signs early, while still keeping things balanced and fair.
1. Be cautious with anything described as “free solar”
As we explored in our first Solar Scam series blog, ‘The Truth Behind “Free Solar Panels”: What’s Really Going On‘, “free solar” usually isn’t free. It often involves:
- Finance agreements
- Leases or PPAs where you don’t own the panels
- Schemes where the installer receives the financial benefit, not the homeowner
These arrangements aren’t necessarily scams as some people genuinely benefit, especially under programmes like ECO4, but it is essential to understand the terms before signing.
Always check who owns the panels, who is responsible for maintenance and how aftercare works.
2. Beware of letters or cold calls about “grants” or “upgrades”
Covered in depth in our second Solar Scam series blog, ‘Upgrades, FITs and the £4,000 Grant Myth‘, many homeowners receive letters or calls claiming:
- They qualify for a £4,000 upgrade grant
- They can replace panels and keep FIT payments
- Their system needs a “free safety check”
- Their installer has “gone bust”
We’ve even met customers who have been told that Sunlit Solar had ceased trading, which was immediately disproved when Mike answered the phone.
These tactics are designed to create urgency or fear. A reputable installer will never pressure you into immediate decisions or tell you that your system is unsafe without proper evidence.
3. ECO4: A real scheme, but not always the right fit
In our fourth Solar Scam Series blog post, ‘The ECO4 Grant – What It Is, What It Isn’t, and Why Homeowners Should Approach It Carefully‘, we explained how ECO4 works and why many households legitimately qualify, including some who aren’t on the lowest incomes.
The scheme itself is not the problem, but the delivery model can lead to:
- Lower grade equipment
- Short workmanship warranties
- Outsourced installs with little oversight
- No clear route for aftercare
If ECO4 genuinely helps a household, that’s great, but homeowners should understand the trade-offs compared to a bespoke installation.
4. The risks of outsourced installations
Blog 3, ‘Think Bigger Is Better? The Truth About Nationwide Solar Companies and Outsourced Installs‘, explored this in detail. Many “nationwide” solar firms subcontract work to local teams. Sometimes this works well. Other times it results in:
- Systems with no MCS certificate
- Subcontractors not being paid
- No support or warranty follow-up
- Customers unable to reach anyone when things go wrong
Half of the enquiries we receive today come from homeowners who had another company install their system and now cannot get help.
Always ask:
- Who is installing the system?
- Who provides the workmanship warranty?
- Who do you call if something goes wrong?
5. If it feels rushed or pressured, step back
A trustworthy installer should:
- Encourage you to get multiple quotes
- Explain different products clearly
- Be transparent about pros and cons
- Give you time to think
- Answer questions without pushy sales behaviour
If the conversation feels scripted, pressured or evasive, trust your instincts.
Your Scam-Proof Solar Checklist
Before signing anything, make sure you:
If you’re unsure, we’re always happy to help
Whether you are:
- Considering an upgrade
- Unsure about a letter or cold call
- Confused by a “grant” offer
- Worried your current installer has disappeared
- Or simply want a second opinion
…we’re always here with clear, honest, no-pressure advice.
You don’t have to be a Sunlit Solar customer, we’re happy to help anyone who needs clarity.
If you’d like us to review an offer, a letter, or your current system, just get in touch via our website.
CONTACT USPhone: 01458 834 936
Email: info@sunlit-solar.co.uk
You might also like to see some of our top installations from the past few months:
Sunlit Solar Highlights: October’s Top Installations