The S.C. Department of Consumer Affairs is hosting a free webinar and new online resources to help residents evaluate solar energy contracts and avoid scams.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs will hold a free webinar Wednesday to help residents understand solar energy contracts before signing them, according to the department.
The session, titled “Thinking About Solar?,” is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday and will cover laws governing solar contracts along with tips for consumers, the department said. Registration is available through the department’s website for anyone wanting to watch or listen online.
The department also outlined several steps consumers should take before agreeing to install solar panels. It recommends researching companies, asking for references from friends and family, and collecting bids from at least three providers. Companies should be certified with the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff, and consumers can check for prior complaints using the department’s Search Complaints tool.
Under state law, solar companies must give buyers two documents before a sale: a marketing pamphlet explaining consumer rights and key terms, and a disclosure statement detailing contract specifics, according to the department. Consumers have 10 days after signing to cancel a solar contract without paying fees or penalties.
The department warned that scam offers often include exaggerated claims, such as promises that a customer will never pay another utility bill or will automatically receive a government tax rebate. It said scammers frequently insist on unusual payment methods, including cryptocurrency, gift cards, wire transfers or payment apps.
Additional information on researching solar companies, understanding contract rights and filing complaints is available on a new page on the department’s website, according to the release.
The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs was established in 1974 and says it has worked for more than 50 years to protect consumers while recognizing businesses that operate honestly.
Based on a release from S.C. Dept. of Consumer Affairs.
