The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative is alerting its members to false and misleading claims by certain solar installation companies.
KIUC said it has received reports from members saying that solar PV and battery system salespersons have provided them with inaccurate or incomplete information on how solar installations interact with KIUC’s electric grid, rates and programs.
More specifically, some of these sales representatives have been going door to door telling people that KIUC will be de-energizing their neighborhood, which is not true, and that if they had a solar PV plus battery system, they could avoid disruption.
“We fully support our members’ interest in renewable energy and solar power,” said Beth Amaro, KIUC’s member services and communications manager, in a news release. “However, we’ve been made aware of cases where solar sales representatives are giving customers false impressions, such as threatening that KIUC will shut off their power and claiming KIUC endorses their product or service.”
KIUC did not name the solar companies making these false and misleading claims.
The cooperative said members are encouraged to contact KIUC directly to verify any information provided by third-party contractors before signing contracts or making financial commitments.
“Hopefully KIUC will be your first call when considering a solar PV system,” says Amaro. “We can give you an overview of our requirements, so you have some background before talking with a solar contractor.”
She added that KIUC does not partner with or work with just one solar contractor and does not go door-to-door selling PV or battery storage systems. Some answers to frequently asked questions are posted on the KIUC website.
“It is very concerning when we receive calls from members who feel they’re being pressured or scammed by individuals selling rooftop solar systems,” said Amaro. “We will absolutely follow up with the solar contractor if unprofessional conduct is reported.”
To report such activities, members can call KIUC at 808-246-4300.
They should provide as much information about the interaction as possible, including the solar contractor’s name, representative’s name, date and time of interaction, and location.
Source: The Garden Island