What are the biggest red flags when hiring a solar contractor?

Solar contractor red flags are unusually high-stakes because solar contracts are typically 20-25 years and involve $20,000-$60,000 in installed system value, plus tax credits, lease terms, and a roof penetration with structural and warranty implications.

Door-to-door high-pressure tactics. "We can only offer this rate if you sign tonight." "The federal tax credit is expiring." "We're only doing your neighborhood this week." All three are scripts. Real solar economics don't change overnight, and any tax credit deadlines are publicly available (the residential ITC is currently 30% through 2032, scheduled to step down 2033-2034 — verify at IRS.gov). A reputable solar company will leave you a quote and give you a week to compare.

Lease-vs-buy bait-and-switch. The door-to-door pitch promises ownership ("you'll own this system in 20 years"), but the contract is actually a 25-year lease or Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The homeowner discovers at closing on the sale of the house that the lease must be assumed or bought out, often killing the sale. Defense: read the contract before signing. The words "lease," "PPA," "monthly payment," and "escalator" mean it's not ownership. Cash purchase or loan = ownership. Lease/PPA = not ownership.

Inflated production estimates. The salesperson claims the system will produce X kWh/year and offset 100%+ of your bill. The actual production is 70-80% of the estimate, because the estimate used a clear-sky model without shading analysis, soiling losses, inverter clipping, and degradation. Defense: require a written production estimate based on PVWatts or HelioScope with stamped engineering, and require the contract to include a production guarantee with a refund mechanism if actual production falls short.

Missing state electrical or solar license. California C-46 Solar or C-10 Electrical. Florida Certified Solar Contractor (CVC) or EC. Arizona C-39R or C-39C. Texas TDLR Electrical Contractor. Verify the license is active and the qualifying party matches.

No NABCEP-certified staff. NABCEP is not legally required, but its absence is a red flag in a 25-year purchase. NABCEP PV Installation Professional (PVIP) or PV Design Specialist credentials are verifiable at nabcep.org.

No signed utility interconnection agreement. Before installation, the utility must approve interconnection (PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, FPL, Duke, etc.). A solar installer who proposes to install BEFORE interconnection approval is gambling that approval will come through — and if it doesn't, you have a system that generates but cannot export. Walk away from any installer who proposes this.

Large upfront deposit. California caps solar deposits at 10% or $1,000. Anything above 20% upfront before equipment is on site is a phoenix risk.

25-year contract signed in one sitting. Solar leases and PPAs are long-term contracts. A reputable installer will let you take the contract home, have a lawyer review (or a HUD-approved housing counselor for elderly homeowners), and sign a week later. Same-day pressure to sign is the single biggest signal of fraud.

Roof condition not assessed. A 30-year solar system installed on a roof with 5 years of life remaining means you'll pay to remove and reinstall the panels at year 5 ($3,000-$6,000). A reputable installer assesses roof condition first and either delays install until the roof is replaced or includes a re-set quote in the contract.

Manufacturer warranty backing. Panel and inverter warranties (typically 25 years on panels, 10-25 years on inverters) require the manufacturer to still exist. Many panel manufacturers have gone bankrupt mid-warranty (Solyndra, Suniva, etc.). Tier-1 manufacturers (REC, LG, Panasonic, SunPower, Q CELLS, Canadian Solar) are safer bets.

Groundcheck (earthmove.io/trust) verifies state license, NABCEP where listed, court records (lease disputes, class actions), OSHA citations, and BBB complaints. It does not verify production estimates or contract terms — read the contract.