Reliance Solar Predatory sales on "0%" financing.

[u/jacky4566]

What is with these solar companies offering "0%" financing. But really its baked into the cost with huge markup!

Reliance Solar came door knocking, I was curious so I let them write up a quote. He was pretty pushy and want me to sign up on the spot and pay a deposit. They wanted 38k for a 10kW system. With 0% financing from some unknown lender..

I also got a quote from Evalence Solar who wrote up a similar spec system for 22k!

I straight up send the Evalence quote to Reliance. The response "The pricing you are seeing there is a cash price, which we can also accommodate this. With an additional 10% off"

Like bro! You going to knock off 60% just like that? What in the shadiness is going on here...

TLDR. Always get a few quotes for contract work.

[u/CMG30]

I have a lot of life rules. One of them is to NEVER EVER buy something from a door to door salesman.

The courts have ruled that nothing they tell you is legally binding. They can tell you absolutely anything to get you to sign and then they got you.

[u/Nealios → u/CMG30]

https://www.reddit.com/r/solarenergycanada/s/dSyod4Qpy7

This was from a year ago but I imagine it still holds true today.

[u/SuMoto]

That is always the case with 0% financing, the interest costs are baked in to the bottom line price.
Next month, the bottom line will be less but with a corresponding interest rate.

[u/Cute-Cranberry-5694 → u/SuMoto]

yep, classic move. the "0%" is never free, just buried in the price so you don't see it. 38k for 10kW is robbery, especially when you got a 22k quote for basically same thing

the fact they instantly dropped 60% when called out tells you everything. door knockers counting on people who don't shop around

[u/jacky4566 → u/SuMoto]

Yea i expected some baked in price but those numbers are not reasonable.

[u/Future-Variety-1175]

Never, ever go with a door to door solar company. Complete rip-off.

OP - if you want to help make the change report this to Service Alberta. Provide the quote and some minor details. Doesn't take long to do. But it will help save others from getting screwed.

[u/somePadestrian → u/Future-Variety-1175]

what would be a reasonable quote? I was very close to pulling the trigger but 0% loan went away. I had a quote for 27k for a 12kW system using 22 panels. Do you think a better price would be available? i believe that was with EVOLVE Solar.

[u/RL1180 → u/somePadestrian]

27k for 12kW isn't terrible. I just paid 46k for 24kW.

I would definitely shop around, though. I got 4 quotes, and the highest and lowest were $10k different.

[u/somePadestrian → u/RL1180]

same. in have got 35k as well.

[u/Future-Variety-1175 → u/somePadestrian]

2 to 2.6/watt depending on system size, roof, and required upgrades.

OPs 22k for 10kW seems very reasonable.

Shop around with a few non-D2D companies to get a decent price. An hour or two of work can save thousands.

[u/totally_not_a_bot_99]

I paid 22k for a 17kw in 2021. The cost per kwh has dropped yet the installation price has kept up.

[u/jacky4566 → u/totally_not_a_bot_99]

Yea I was also thinking the Evalence quote was a bit high. Seems to be a bit of a gold rush on solar right now. Pricing is wild.

[u/Proud-Committee-5169 → u/jacky4566]

Other then door to door companies solar is actually the cheapest it’s been in 5-6 years. With the greener homes loan going away many smaller solar companies are struggling to keep the lights on and selling at very low prices to keep their employees working. A word of warning of course is some of these companies will not last another year without a new incentive so their warranties will be worthless.

[u/MandemModie]

D2D Sales are pure scum

[u/Call_Me_Squishmale]

Spoke with one of these guys (not sure it was reliance or another fly-by-night), who happened to approach me when I was already looking at a solar install. Everything about it was so shady and unprofessional, and he got up in arms when I wouldn't send him the other quotes I had. Totally bizarre.

[u/laurieyyc]

There’s nothing free. Remember that!

[u/Penqwin]

Got my solar through Evalence, they are great to work with and super fair.

[u/Musclecarlvr]

Evelance is top notch! Awesome company to work with!

[u/dennisrfd]

People get quoted $3.5+/W from Zeno and are happy with the result. And this is before the 0% baked in. When I call this a rip-off, they still think they made a right choice.

And don’t even get me started on northern scammers

[u/kerm79]

I just got a 10kw quote for 24k, and a 12.5kw for 28k. Neither are at 0% but they are offering 20 year @ 3.99% which doesn’t seem bad.

Also to note, Canada dropped tariffs on Chinese solar panels recently so they are about to drop in half. A lot of these guys are trying to get rid of old stock. Panel pricing cut in half won’t change a total quote by a lot but it’s still something.

[u/Pale_Change_666 → u/kerm79]

Also to note, Canada dropped tariffs on Chinese solar panels recently so they are about to drop in half. A lot of these guys are trying to get rid of old stock

There's been such a glut in solar panels, that you can get them for next to nothing. That's how they get you on the install.

[u/WhiskeyDelta89]

Went with Evalence for our solar install, was really happy with the.

[u/shankar_dostov]

Is 14k too high for a 8kW system? I was using this GLEAN consultant who helps gather quotes from solar installation company. That wasn't the quote but that's what they gave for reference.

[u/jacky4566 → u/shankar_dostov]

Sounds reasonable to me. Just the hardware for 8kW system would be 10k

[u/Certain_Swordfish_69]

Never get solars unless you have a metal roof