International Asia Global Alternative Energy Fraud Watch: Clean Energy Scams and What To Do About Them
- 11 years ago
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2009/08/clean-energy-scams-and-what-to-do-about-them
international asia global alternative energy fraud watch
As a clean energy installer, it really infuriates me when I read inflated and bogus marketing claims put forth by obvious scammers. What do you think we, as an industry, should do about this? Why don't you expose them? – Bill C., Clean Energy Installer
Bill, this isn’t the first time I’ve heard this question and now that we are in a clean energy renaissance, I expect it won’t be the last. To others out there, please feel free to send me examples by emailing solarsklar@aol.com along with any questions for further columns. To answer Bill’s question, I’d like to address both the installer and the consumer. Here’s my double response:
Dear clean energy business: If you see a store being robbed, you call the police. If you believe you are seeing a fraudulent business making bogus claims, drop a note to your State Attorney General’s Office. Some states have consumer offices or trade commissions that deal with deceptive advertising.
The best notification is a short note including a scanned PDF of the ad or promotional materials with a letter from your company saying you noticed this, have been in the clean energy business for X years. Include the URL to a publication or report that addresses an aspect of their claim. If you have a state SEIA, ASES or other clean energy group in the state, CC them as well.
Dear consumer: If the pitch is “too good to be true” it probably is fraudulent. If a company is offering an energy system at half the cost, and claiming twice the output, it is probably neither. Collect from the sales rep three references of installations with pictures in your area, and call them and ask questions — ask them if you can “come buy and look at the system.”
If the company claims it’s a member of a trade group, go to the web site of the group and check. If the company claims that the product is certified by a national or state entity, get on their web site or call to confirm. Solar tax credits, for instance, are conditional on equipment certifications.
On energy efficiency, I am even more concerned because hundreds of millions of dollars are being dispersed through state grants. Many states through their energy, housing and community action agencies have excellent training and great programs to insure proper installations for low-income residents. But some private sector companies seem to be taking advantage of middle-income residents, sometimes unintentionally, by providing piece meal services.
I am seeing selective use of insulation or the purchasing of expensive windows with minimal insulation in the walls. So I am appealing to the many full service energy efficiency providers to team up and be more proactive in watching your market and insuring consumers are educated....
international asia global alternative energy fraud watch
As a clean energy installer, it really infuriates me when I read inflated and bogus marketing claims put forth by obvious scammers. What do you think we, as an industry, should do about this? Why don't you expose them? – Bill C., Clean Energy Installer
Bill, this isn’t the first time I’ve heard this question and now that we are in a clean energy renaissance, I expect it won’t be the last. To others out there, please feel free to send me examples by emailing solarsklar@aol.com along with any questions for further columns. To answer Bill’s question, I’d like to address both the installer and the consumer. Here’s my double response:
Dear clean energy business: If you see a store being robbed, you call the police. If you believe you are seeing a fraudulent business making bogus claims, drop a note to your State Attorney General’s Office. Some states have consumer offices or trade commissions that deal with deceptive advertising.
The best notification is a short note including a scanned PDF of the ad or promotional materials with a letter from your company saying you noticed this, have been in the clean energy business for X years. Include the URL to a publication or report that addresses an aspect of their claim. If you have a state SEIA, ASES or other clean energy group in the state, CC them as well.
Dear consumer: If the pitch is “too good to be true” it probably is fraudulent. If a company is offering an energy system at half the cost, and claiming twice the output, it is probably neither. Collect from the sales rep three references of installations with pictures in your area, and call them and ask questions — ask them if you can “come buy and look at the system.”
If the company claims it’s a member of a trade group, go to the web site of the group and check. If the company claims that the product is certified by a national or state entity, get on their web site or call to confirm. Solar tax credits, for instance, are conditional on equipment certifications.
On energy efficiency, I am even more concerned because hundreds of millions of dollars are being dispersed through state grants. Many states through their energy, housing and community action agencies have excellent training and great programs to insure proper installations for low-income residents. But some private sector companies seem to be taking advantage of middle-income residents, sometimes unintentionally, by providing piece meal services.
I am seeing selective use of insulation or the purchasing of expensive windows with minimal insulation in the walls. So I am appealing to the many full service energy efficiency providers to team up and be more proactive in watching your market and insuring consumers are educated....