Maine attorney general warns consumers of misleading solar power ads

Oct 24, 2024

Solar energy customers have been advised that Maine does not require homeowners to convert to solar and that the state does not offer incentives, grants, rebates or tax credits to install home solar panels.

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State officials have received a few dozen consumer complaints about misleading solar ads, prompting the Office of the Maine Attorney General to issue an advisory about possible scams.

The office advised consumers that Maine does not require homeowners to convert to solar; that the state does not offer incentives, grants, rebates or tax credits to install home solar panels; and that the state has not approved or selected a particular county, city, town or neighborhood for conversion to solar.

The attorney general cautioned consumers to be aware that although companies may advertise no upfront costs, similar to other consumer financing agreements, the product is not free. In addition, payments made over time may increase, and the consumer may not own the panels after they are installed. When selling a home, the owner may have to purchase the solar panels or reduce the selling price, the attorney general’s office said.

Consumers who are solicited and did not make the first contact with the business have the right to cancel the purchase within three business days of signing the contract. The business must inform buyers of the right to cancel and cannot require them to waive their right to cancel.

It also is illegal for the business to begin work during the three days if the work is to be done at your home.

Residential solar in Maine accounted for 26.7 megawatts of installed capacity in 2024, up from 21.7 MW last year and 14.8 MW in 2022, according to the Governor’s Energy Office. In contrast, community solar, or solar farms, accounted for 169.3 MW capacity this year.

A spokeswoman for the attorney general’s office said its Consumer Information and Mediation Service received at least nine complaints since 2020 related to solar advertisements, including four this year. The attorney general’s office issued the advisory because of its own concerns and those of other government agencies and organizations.

A spokeswoman at the Public Utilities Commission said it referred 25 complaints to the attorney general’s office, which has legal authority to address consumer issues.

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