Solar Contractors....without a license
Buyer Beware. The solar industry has been attracting a lot of attention these days. There is a lot of buzz in the investment community and we have seen a lot of eco entrepenuers joining the ranks of the solar experts.
It is important for consumers to be very careful when hiring a contractor to install solar. In the State of California, it is illegal to solicit, sell, write contracts or install solar without a Contractors License. Notice that I didn't just say install.
If a Contractor advertises, the Contractor's license number must be on all advertising materials and contracts, including business cards. This includes website pages.
If a Contractor goes to a persons home to solicit or sell solar, they must have a license. If a Contractor hires a salesperson, that salesperson must be registered with the California State License Board (CSLB).
I noticed a company the other day that is advertising heavily in the San Diego area. I believe they had a green lizard on their advertisement. The company does not list their Contractors license on any of their advertising or on their website. A quick check with the CSLB shows that they are probably operating without a license.
What does this mean to you.
If they get caught, they could be jailed for 6 months and pay a $15,000 fine. Most likely, they will go out of business and your 10 year warranty will be worthless.
If they don't have a license, they won't be bonded, won't have workers compensation and won't have general liability insurance. If one of their workers falls off the roof, you will be the one paying for the medical bills.
If you want to check a contractors license, go to this site:
Be careful when hiring a solar contractor
