You’d prefer a solar energy expert to be your Dallas solar installer, right? Well, we found him. Meet the guy that’s making Texas solar scammers very nervous.
Smart Roof and Home Performance offers Dallas-specific solutions for solar roof projects. We like that Travis reviews energy usage and system payoff periods before recommending a solar roof.
CNN reports Texas will install more solar capacity than any other state by the end of 2023. With so many Texans using solar renewable energy to lower their utility bill, Dallas homeowners need a simple guide to select a Dallas solar installer.
Solar energy may be booming in Texas, but it’s still a newand highly unregulated industry. It’s common for Dallas homeowners to have solar representatives knock on their doors and pitch their services. But how do you know which companies are reliable?
HOMR created this Dallas solar guide by combining our own service data with expert research from Texas solar experts, government regulators and the Better Business Bureau.
We think that Smart Roof and Home Performance is the best Dallas solar installer for most DFW homeowners. They provide fair, transparent pricing and timeline strategy, and their owner (Travis Jones) is one of Dallas’ leading solar experts.
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Why Is the Solar Industry Filled With Scams?
The solar industry is incredibly new compared to older energy industries like oil and natural gas. There simply hasn’t been enough time to establish consistent, nationwide regulations for solar energy companies.
We think many solar energy providers act in good faith and aim to deliver value to customers. However, any poorly regulated industry attracts scammers — thankfully, it’s easy to avoid solar scammers if you know what to watch out for.
MarketWatch and CNet recently identified 4 widespread solar installation scams that are ruining the industry’s reputation and costing homeowners thousands of dollars:
Fake solar companies
Identity theft scams
“Free” solar panels
“The solar federal tax credit is ending”
Let’s discuss how to spot these 4 scams and simple ways to avoid falling for them:
Solar Scam #1: Fake Solar Companies
This involves a fake “solar rep” asking homeowners for a large down payment through a non-existent company, then never coming back to install solar panels.
How to avoid this scam: Refuse to pay large upfront down payments on solar installation. Reputable companies do not ask for these — as soon as a scammer realizes they aren’t getting money out of you, they’ll leave you alone.
Solar Scam #2: Identity Theft Scams
This solar scam involves homeowners being asked to fill out fraudulent forms with unnecessary information, which is then used to steal sensitive personal and banking information..
Avoid this scam by refusing to provide information that isn’t necessary to solar panel installation. Do not give out your social security number, bank account number, or credit card number to anyone claiming to be a solar energy provider.
Solar Scam #3: “Free” Solar Panels Aren’t Really Free
A solar company that offers to install free solar panels wants to charge you a monthly fee for their use. In other words, you don’t own the solar panels at all — you’re leasing them.
Avoid this misleading offer by knowing how it’s presented. You may be offered a power purchase agreement (“PPA”), which is inherently the same as a solar lease.
Instead, choose to finance the purchase of your solar panels for a fixed number of years. You’re still paying by the month, but you’ll own your solar panel system.
Solar panels are never 100% free. While an offer to provide free solar panels isn’t technically a scam, it is absolutely false advertising and highly misleading.
Solar Scam #4: “The Solar Federal Tax Credit is Ending”
Let’s be very clear: the solar federal tax credit is not ending. It is slated to remain at 30% through 2032. Any solar provider who claims otherwise is not telling the truth.
Avoid this scam by simply telling the scammer you know the solar federal tax credit isn’t ending, and that they’re being dishonest.
Protect Yourself from Solar Energy Scams!
If you aren’t sure whether a solar installation offer is a scam, HOMR encourages you to visit this excellent consumer guide from the U.S. Department of Energy.
The Data & Research: Why You Should Trust Us
We began our research by referencing the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR), which has an extensive list of criteria for selecting quality solar contractors.
Based on TDLR’s consumer protection information, HOMR established 4 key criteria to rate Dallas solar companies and solar contractors:
Expertise and Education. We like solar companies whose owners have taken extensive courses on solar power, energy and engineering. Our featured provider’s owner, Travis Jones, studied solar energy for 5 years before joining the industry.
Honest Home Solar Appraisal. The scams we listed above are scary. Eliminate that fear from your solar buying process by asking these 9 questions during your solar estimate. Only consider the contractors who answer all your questions in detail.
Transparent Cost Breakdowns. Ask for a detailed cost breakdown in your solar contractor’s quote. Look for individual line items for materials, labor and permits. Also, ask your solar provider for an estimate of how much value solar will truly add to your home. Travis provides detailed ROI information to Dallas homeowners who are interested in solar energy.
License and Insurance Information. Even though solar industry regulations are still loose, Texas state requirements for solar installers are solid. Ask your contractor to provide proof of insurance, their active license number, and proof that a certified master electrician is working on your solar panel installation project.
How We Chose the #1 Dallas Home Solar Company
CNET reports there are more than 500 solar panel installers in Texas. With several dozen Dallas solar installers to choose from, we took extra care to find the best one for your home.
HOMR started its selection process with Better Business Bureau (BBB) research. We eliminated any Dallas solar companies with a history of inferior installation service, or unresolved customer complaints. We complemented that data with thorough research of Dallas solar Google reviews.
Next, we analyzed recent Dallas home solar installation regulations and requirements. We did not select any companies that aren’t licensed Texas electrical contractors and don’t provide updated insurance policy information.
HOMR also eliminated any DFW solar contractors that hire inexperienced solar reps and salespeople. A good solar system provider employs reps who are well-educated on solar technology and best installation practices (south-facing solar panels, proper wiring, etc.)
We did not take company size into consideration. A large solar company doesn’t always deliver the best service — a good solar contractor answers all your questions and provides clear, measurable updates on your timeline. We chose response time as a more valuable indicator of quality than overall number of employees.
Finally, we preferred solar installers that offer upfront, transparent pricing and timeline information. You deserve to know precisely how much your job will cost, when it will be completed, and a rough estimate of your new monthly energy costs vs. what you pay now.
If all else was equal, HOMR preferred service providers with deep roots in our neighborhoods. We looked for companies in demand for repeat service as well as high rates of referral business.
In the end, we selected Smart Roof and Home Performance as DFW's best solar company.
Green Flags
✅ Long history of Dallas area service
✅ Understands Dallas solar challenges (hail, amount of sun)
✅ Expert knowledge of solar panel installation and technology
✅ High rate of repeat and referral customers
✅ Extensive online review history
✅ Willingness to honestly assess your property for solar system cost vs. value
Red Flags
🚫 Poor installation job history (check BBB)
🚫 Little to no presence of job reviews online
🚫 Pricing far above or below DFW average
🚫 Unclear pricing or vague job quotes
🚫 Inexperienced solar reps and salespeople
🚫 Inability to provide detailed facts about solar for your specific project
Did You Know? The top Better Business Bureau complaints about Dallas solar companies talk about bad installation jobs, slow timelines and a lack of transparency.
Our Pick for The Best Dallas Solar Installation Company
Featured Provider: Smart Roof and Home Performance (Best Solar Installer)
Why We Like Them: Travis tells Dallas residents when solarisn’t right for their homes. “You have to compare how much electricity your [solar] is producing, and how much it would just cost you to buy it through the grid,” he explains. “I met a guy paying $165 a month for his solar that was only producing $23.40 worth of electricity. Where’s the ROI on that energy bill?”
HOMR appreciates Travis’ transparent pricing breakdowns — we’ve seen him give up sales when it’s not right for people’s homes.
Non-Negotiables: You’d only want a surgeon that went to med school — so why hire a solar company that didn’t study? Smart Roof and Home Performance’s owner spent 5 years studying solar panel technology to become Dallas’ top expert on residential solar.
Smart Roof and Home Performance offers Dallas-specific solutions for solar roof projects. We like that Travis reviews energy usage and system payoff periods before recommending a solar roof.
You must hire a qualified Dallas solar company to install or maintain your solar panels. We’re not just talking about violating building code — an improperly installed solar panel system can lead to major home safety issues.
An improperly wired solar panel system can cause your roof to catch fire. In less frequent cases, poorly wired solar panels have exploded. Conductors that aren’t properly covered can lead to shock and electrocution while working on or near your roof.
These issues are easily avoided by using a licensed Texas solar installer. Here are the qualifications DFW homeowners should look for in a solar installer.
Texas Solar Installer Licensing
The Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR) has specific criteria for contractors to install, repair or maintain solar panels in Texas.
Every Texas solar installer or maintenance professional must hold a Texas Electrical Contractor license, or employ a master electrician licensed in the state of Texas. This is mandatory — not just because of regulations, but the dangers listed above.
Look for a license number on your solar bid. If you don’t see one, ask your contractor to provide it.
Here are the advantages to hiring a qualified, licensed Dallas solar installer:
Must Hold a Texas Electrical Contractor License (or Employ a Master Electrician)*
Must Be Educated on Current Texas Solar and Electrical Laws
Must Pass Standardized Exams on National Electrical Codes
Must Hold Proper Insurance to Cover Potential Damages
Must Undergo and Pass Criminal Background Checks
*A solar professional can employ a subcontractor to handle the installation work, but that contractor must be a licensed Master Electrician in the state of Texas.
Be Careful: A solar company does not need a Texas electrical license to sell you a solar panel system. That also means they won’t come back and install that system for you — you’re on your own. HOMR recommends buying your solar panels from a provider who can also handle the installation.
Dallas Solar Consumer Protection Tips
The TDLR offers excellent protection tips for Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex homeowners looking to purchase solar panels. Use these 6 tips when considering solar panel installation:
There’s no such thing as free solar panels. Beware of any installer who offers free or extremely discounted solar systems. This is generally a scam.
Never provide personal or banking information. There is no reason for a solar company to request your Social Security number or bank account information.
Never pay the full amount of a solar installation project upfront. Only pay for work that has been completed.
Ensure all required city inspections are completed. Your solar contractor should contact Dallas City Hall to schedule and conduct all necessary solar inspections.
Research your solar panel installer for recent sanctions. Check the TDLR website to see if a licensed electrical contractor has received a Texas penalty or sanction in the last 2 years.
Ask your neighbors for referrals and references. If your neighbors have solar panels on their home, ask who they used and if they had a good experience.
Conclusion
The best Dallas solar installers are educated about current solar technology and regulations. They’re licensed electrical contractors in the state of Texas who understand safe solar installation practices, and can protect your home against faulty installation concerns.
Most importantly, an honest solar professional will tell you if solar panels are a good choice for your home. They’ll provide a clear forecast of your solar energy costs, amount of power generated, and whether you’ll see any real savings on your monthly energy bill.
HOMR works with reliable, respectable Dallas contractors like Travis Jones of Smart Roof and Home Performance. Our network of featured partners pass a rigorous selection process to ensure service quality, simple communication, and clear pricing.
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