“Going Green”

06.30.10

Going Green Beware. The Arizona Registrar of Contractors encourages homeowners about the need to select a licensed and qualified contractor before signing a contract for a solar energy project. Consumers who want to “go green” and take advantage of state and federal rebates and tax credits could be preyed upon by unlicensed, unscrupulous, or unaware contractors.
Our neighbor to the west of us, California has many unlicensed contractors in several parts of California have been convicted or are being investigated on suspicion of taking thousands of dollars from consumers for solar energy systems that were incorrectly installed – or not installed at all. Consumers may not qualify for government incentives if contractors fail to enter into solar energy contracts correctly.
Sonora Solar Solutions offers the following tips before selecting a contractor for your home’s solar power installation:
• Always check for the contractor’s Arizona license. The state and federal government will not grant rebates or credits for a solar system installed by an unlicensed contractor. Ask the contractor to show you his or her pocket license and a photo identification to make sure it is the same person. Compare this to the license information at www.azroc.gov to make sure this individual is a legitimate member of the business indicated on the license.
• Check your contractor’s license classification on the AZROC website. Your utility company may require that a solar system be installed by a contractor with a specific classification.
• Don’t be pressured into signing a contract by intimidation tactics, such as losing out on government incentives for not acting quickly. This might be a hint that the contractor does not have your best interests in mind.
Legitimate, licensed contractors want customers to be comfortable and confident with the contracts they are signing. And licensees are more likely to do all that is required in order to receive available state and federal incentives for alternative energy.”