A local company that installs solar panels for homes and businesses receives complaints every week.
Phone calls were not his business. Instead, they turn to him for help filling vacancies at other companies.
"I get phone calls from people saying, 'They're not going to let me finish our contract,'" says Dale Lock of Great Plains Renewables in Gretna.
Others have asked him to fix problems with their systems, even though any action on his part could jeopardize the other company's warranty.
"It's an individual thing," Locke said. "I get five to ten calls a week."
And his company is not alone in receiving troubling reports.
According to the Omaha Public Energy District, electric customers have reported an increasing number of aggressive and even fraudulent sales over the phone and door-to-door sales.
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Those who make false statements often claim to be "working with the OPPD," Jodi Becker, a spokeswoman for the OPPD, said.
"OPPD does not cooperate with any formulators," he said. "Any claim to the contrary should be a red flag."
Sam Heuser, another OPPD officer, added: “We've seen quite a number of complaints in the last two or three years. Many of the complaints involve high-pressure sales tactics. This includes complaints about scammers.
"We're getting complaints that vendors are finding it difficult not to say no," said Heuser, director of alternative energy clients.
Heuser said OPPD has a list of solar companies it has worked with that it believes potential customers considering solar should contact.
OPPD trains these business partners, so-called professionals with experience in the application process. They meet a list of qualifications and acceptable standards of behaviour.
"It's not an easy list," said Locke, whose company is on the list.
Heuser said that if one of the companies on this list installed the panels, homeowners would be eligible for a $2,000 discount.
The rise in customer complaints coincides with the growing interest in solar energy.
According to the OPPD, there were 835 orders for solar panels last year and 543 in 2021, though this year's forecast could be closer to 500.
According to the information provided by Liu, the advantages of solar energy include:
• Clean and renewed.
• There are cost savings. Solar panels can significantly reduce your electricity bills.
• Energy has independence.
• Solar panels require little maintenance.
• Can add value to a home.
OPPD recommends that interested parties follow these steps:
• Don't be pressured by solar energy companies. Do your homework before signing any contract.
• Visit OPPD.com/COG to check if solar is right for your situation There, folks will find helpful information, including answers to frequently asked questions, and a verified list of business partners for solar and other customer-owned generators. These are the companies that OPPD has worked with and recommend as a trusted source
• Always obtain multiple quotes from reputable solar contractors before signing any contract.
• Never allow unverified sellers into your home and never provide personal or financial information in person or over the phone.
An important note about solar panels, Locke says, is that they should be installed on the east, west or south side of the house and "definitely not on the north side".
Luke recently installed solar panels on Daniel Hershberger's home in Bellevue. He installed 30 panels in just two days.
"We knew we wanted to do this," Hershberger said of Solar, but after completing the study, his proposal was reduced to two.
One was Locke, which Hershberger eventually chose.
“There is no pressure with Dell. He gave us information in a way that we understood,” Hershberger said. About costs and what was expected of the system. Everything else is like a sales pitch, not something to fit in. We choose what is most comfortable.”
The Hershberger family paid for their system upfront and immediately saw huge savings.
"A year ago, our electricity bill in June was $240," he says. 'In June this year, it was less than 60 dollars.'
The atmosphere is also very relaxed.
"You don't hear anything," he said. "You don't even know it's there."
Great Plains Renewables has partnered with Leswee LLC to allow eligible Nebraska businesses to benefit from the USDA's Rural Energy for America program.
In cities with a population of less than 50,000, companies are eligible to receive 50% of their solar installations free if subsidies are approved. The scholarship writing process is covered by Great Plains. Farmers are also eligible to participate in REAP.
Locke said they plan to hold town hall meetings in October and November to provide more information.
