A U.K. homeowner shopping for solar panels and battery storage said a buy-one-get-one-free promotion did not look free at all.
"Run immediately," one commenter warned.
Here's what to know
On Reddit's r/SolarUK, the homeowner said the quoted price for solar climbed £300 ($397) — the listed price of one panel — when they added a second panel to their order.
"Surely that would be wrong? What am I missing?" they asked.
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Many agreed that something wasn't right — but not for the same reasons as the poster. One person cautioned that the low price likely meant the provider was subcontracting the work to the lowest bidder, so customer service could be poor and planning lacking.
Another suggested that this would only be a good deal "if you like to overpay for basic-level equipment installed by some random company you can't evaluate before you sign a contract."
Going solar is one of the best ways to save money on home energy, but the thread highlights why it's so important to compare offers. Free tools such as EnergySage can help homeowners get free solar installation estimates and compare quotes side by side.
What can be done?
Seek competing estimates and ask for itemized pricing. "The TLDR is that you should get at least three quotes from highly rated local installers who have been in business for a long time," one person offered.
There are also tools designed specifically to make comparisons easier.
With EnergySage's help, the average person can save up to $10,000 on a solar purchase and installation. EnergySage's solar map shows the average cost of a home solar panel system by state along with details on solar panel incentives in each state.
Together, these resources can help homeowners get the best price for rooftop solar panels and access available incentives.
For buyers considering a battery along with solar panels, storage is one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, save money on energy, and go off-grid. Homeowners can also explore EnergySage for information about home battery storage options, including competitive installation estimates.
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💡Go deep on the latest news and trends shaping the residential solar landscape
Where can I learn more?
Obtaining comparable quotes from vetted installers is the first step to avoid getting snared in a solar deal that may be too good to be true.
• A homeowner's zero-cost solar panel lease sparked debate over whether the savings were real.
• Solar experts showed how free solar panel advertisements can hide costs in fine print.
• Energy experts raised contract questions as zero-dollar-down solar panel deals promised savings upfront.
• In Australia, residents flagged an online scam offering free solar panels to lure homeowners.
• EnergySage's Charlie Hadlow broke down the mystery of solar panel costs for homeowners comparing quotes.
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