7 Red Flags in a Solar Proposal (Minnesota Edition)
Most bad solar deals announce themselves on the proposal page. Here are the seven warnings we’d want our own families to catch.
A solar system is a 25-year decision. A proposal that rushes it, hides its math, or leans on incentives that don’t apply to you is telling you something. Watch for these.
1. A residential federal tax credit in the math
The federal residential solar tax credit ended December 31, 2025. If a 2026 homeowner proposal still bakes a 30% credit into your “net price” or payback, the numbers are wrong — honestly or otherwise. (Commercial and agricultural systems are different; those still have the 30% ITC.)
2. A dealer fee hidden in a low APR
A “0.99% APR” loan often carries a 20-30% hidden dealer fee folded into the system cost. Always ask for the cash price next to the financed price — the gap is the fee. We cover this in predatory financing.
3. Fake urgency
“This price is only good today.” Real solar pricing doesn’t expire at midnight. Urgency is a sales tactic, not an engineering fact.
4. No production number in writing
If the proposal won’t commit to estimated kWh/year, you can’t hold anyone to it. Vague “you’ll save thousands” language is a flag.
5. A leased crew and an out-of-state office
Ask who installs and who services it. National sales orgs frequently subcontract the actual work to whoever’s cheapest that week.
6. A lease or PPA pushed as “free solar”
In Minnesota, iSolar doesn’t do residential leases or PPAs — you should own the asset that’s adding value to your home. “Free solar” usually means someone else owns your roof for 25 years.
7. A thin warranty
A 10-year workmanship warranty from a company that may not exist in year 11 is not protection. Look for long, insurance-backed coverage like Solar Insure.
Frequently asked.
What does an honest proposal look like?
Cash price and financed price side by side, a written kWh/year estimate, the full warranty stack, the install crew identified, and no countdown clock.
Is a high-pressure sales rep always a scam?
Not always — but pressure is a choice the company made about how to sell. Good solar sells itself with clear numbers.
Have a question we haven't covered?
Talk to a local iSolar expert — free, no pressure. Call (651) 565-1140.