Solar United Neighbors - National Help Desk
Know Your Solar Rights
Create state-specific consumer protection resources to educate members on their consumer rights
Posted October 28, 2024
Background & Context
SUN is a 501c3 non-profit that aims to help individuals and communities go solar and fight for their energy rights. The Solar Help Desk at SUN provides free, unbiased information and education to those who are interested in, or already have solar.
The solar industry is still relatively young, and consumer protection standards are still being developed by SEIA (Solar Energy Industries Association). This leaves consumers in a vulnerable position, with limited resources available about consumer rights and standards within the solar industry. At SUN, we are dedicated to educating consumers, so they are aware of their rights before making life-altering investments in solar.
We would like to develop state specific Consumer Protection Guides for consumers to better understand their consumer rights.
Immediate Problem
Some of the predatory sales tactics of the solar industry leave many homeowners uneducated about their investment, and forced into bad solar contracts. We'd like to educate consumers on how to safely shop for solar proposals and understand their consumer rights (based on state).
Work & Deliverables
-Research consumer rights and consumer protection guidelines in the state(s) assigned
-Create and share draft state specific Consumer Protection Guide with our members and staff
Preparation Phase
- Schedule background call and brief training with Solar Help Desk staff to understand scope of projec
Collaboration Phase
- Incorporate feedback from supervising attorney and SUN staff
- Research solar consumer protection standards in state(s) assigned
- Create draft State Consumer Protection Guide
- Incorporate feedback from supervising attorney and SUN staff
Wrap Up
- Finalize State Consumer Protection Guide
Solar United Neighbors - National Help Desk
Solar United Neighbors is a national organization dedicated to representing the needs and interests of solar owners and clean energy supporters. The National Solar Help Desk is a part of that work by helping anyone who’s overwhelmed by the prospect of going solar with personalized information based on their energy goals. We provide free, vendor-neutral, customer-focused offerings such as roof reviews, proposal comparisons and production app assessments. Our purpose is to help people wherever they are on their path. We regularly assist people very early on in their investigation of solar with services like basic education and resource sharing, proposal comparisons, and free roof reviews.
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Solar United Neighbors - National Help Desk
Solar United Neighbors is a national organization dedicated to representing the needs and interests of solar owners and clean energy supporters. The National Solar Help Desk is a part of that work by helping anyone who’s overwhelmed by the prospect of going solar with personalized information based on their energy goals. We provide free, vendor-neutral, customer-focused offerings such as roof reviews, proposal comparisons and production app assessments. Our purpose is to help people wherever they are on their path. We regularly assist people very early on in their investigation of solar with services like basic education and resource sharing, proposal comparisons, and free roof reviews.