Sharkproof Living is a movement helping people learn about their environment to make better decisions and control the outcomes. You learn to navigate with sharks as a pilot fish instead of becoming shark food.
This is a guest blog on home-based solar energy.
Blog author Rob Perks (202-286-7435), Energy Advisor, Solar Energy World
I recently met the author of a book aimed at helping improve financial literacy amongst consumers: "Sharkproof Living: A 7 Step Journey to Financial Independence on your own terms" by Nabil Bedewi. The “shark-proof” concept is essentially making yourself financially resilient enough that life’s unexpected problems—job loss, market downturns, emergencies, etc.—don’t control your future.
In a world of sharks (companies) and shark food (consumers), how do you spot a bad "Solar Shark" before it eats you?
I'm not here to say that every other solar company is a bad shark. I'm here to teach you how to recognize one.
There are a lot of good solar companies out there. There are also a lot of different ways a homeowner can end up with a solar deal that isn't nearly as good as it appears. And that's why I like the idea of the solar shark.
A shark isn't necessarily evil. It's simply an animal that knows its environment better than you do—and knows how to take advantage of an opportunity.
The same can happen in the solar business.
Most homeowners don't spend their weekends researching solar panels, financing options, utility rates, production estimates, warranties and 25-year contracts. A solar salesperson might do that every day. That creates an information imbalance. And whenever there's a big information imbalance, there's an opportunity for someone to get eaten.
So, What Is a bad Solar Shark?
It is a company—or sometimes a salesperson—that takes advantage of a homeowner's lack of knowledge to make a deal look better than it really is.
That doesn't mean the company is necessarily dishonest. It means you need to know what questions to ask.
Let's dive in! Here are a few solar sharks to watch out for...
🦈 The Price Shark
Solar systems aren't like buying a gallon of milk. There isn't one universally advertised price. Two companies can propose similar systems and come in thousands of dollars apart. The Price Shark relies on the homeowner thinking: “Well, that's what solar costs.”
Don't assume it. Ask:
How much am I paying per watt?
How does this price compare with other proposals?
What equipment am I getting?
Is the system appropriately sized for my home?
What exactly is included in the price?
You don't need to become a solar expert. You just need to understand what you're buying.
🦈 The Financing Shark
This one is particularly sneaky. The salesperson tells you: “Your payment is only $99 a month!”
Sounds great, right? But a low monthly payment doesn't automatically mean you have a good deal. Look at the entire financing arrangement.
What's the interest rate?
What's the term?
Is there a dealer fee?
What's the total amount you'll pay?
Does the payment change?
What happens if you pay it off early?
Don't judge a solar deal by the monthly payment alone.
🦈 The Savings Shark
This shark loves spreadsheets. A solar proposal might show you that your electricity bill is going to skyrocket over the next 25 years and that solar will save you hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Maybe.
But projections are based on assumptions. Ask what assumptions are being used for:
-Future utility-rate increases
-Solar production
-System degradation
-Financing costs
-Maintenance
-Incentives
-Electricity consumption
The bigger the promised savings, the more important it is to understand how the number was calculated.
🦈 The Contract Shark
Here's a simple rule: Never sign a contract you don't understand. Before signing, know what happens if you:
-Sell your home
-Refinance
-Pay the system off early
-Need a new roof
-Move before the agreement ends
-Have a problem with the equipment
If you don't understand something, ask. A good salesperson shouldn't be annoyed by questions. They should welcome them.
🦈 The “Too Good to Be True” Shark
You know the saying. If someone promises: No risk. Huge savings. No money down. Guaranteed results. And you need to sign today...
Take a breath.
Solar can be a fantastic investment for the right homeowner. But solar isn't magic.
The right system, at the right price, with the right financing and the right assumptions can make a lot of sense.
The wrong deal can do the opposite.
I'm not here to say that every other solar company is a bad shark. I'm here to teach you how to recognize one.
There are a lot of good solar companies out there. There are also a lot of different ways a homeowner can end up with a solar deal that isn't nearly as good as it appears. And that's why I like the idea of the solar shark.
A shark isn't necessarily evil. It's simply an animal that knows its environment better than you do—and knows how to take advantage of an opportunity.
The same can happen in the solar business.
Most homeowners don't spend their weekends researching solar panels, financing options, utility rates, production estimates, warranties and 25-year contracts. A solar salesperson might do that every day. That creates an information imbalance. And whenever there's a big information imbalance, there's an opportunity for someone to get eaten.
So, What Is a bad Solar Shark?
It is a company—or sometimes a salesperson—that takes advantage of a homeowner's lack of knowledge to make a deal look better than it really is.
That doesn't mean the company is necessarily dishonest. It means you need to know what questions to ask.
Let's dive in! Here are a few solar sharks to watch out for...
🦈 The Price Shark
Solar systems aren't like buying a gallon of milk. There isn't one universally advertised price. Two companies can propose similar systems and come in thousands of dollars apart. The Price Shark relies on the homeowner thinking: “Well, that's what solar costs.”
Don't assume it. Ask:
How much am I paying per watt?
How does this price compare with other proposals?
What equipment am I getting?
Is the system appropriately sized for my home?
What exactly is included in the price?
You don't need to become a solar expert. You just need to understand what you're buying.
🦈 The Financing Shark
This one is particularly sneaky. The salesperson tells you: “Your payment is only $99 a month!”
Sounds great, right? But a low monthly payment doesn't automatically mean you have a good deal. Look at the entire financing arrangement.
What's the interest rate?
What's the term?
Is there a dealer fee?
What's the total amount you'll pay?
Does the payment change?
What happens if you pay it off early?
Don't judge a solar deal by the monthly payment alone.
🦈 The Savings Shark
This shark loves spreadsheets. A solar proposal might show you that your electricity bill is going to skyrocket over the next 25 years and that solar will save you hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Maybe.
But projections are based on assumptions. Ask what assumptions are being used for:
-Future utility-rate increases
-Solar production
-System degradation
-Financing costs
-Maintenance
-Incentives
-Electricity consumption
The bigger the promised savings, the more important it is to understand how the number was calculated.
🦈 The Contract Shark
Here's a simple rule: Never sign a contract you don't understand. Before signing, know what happens if you:
-Sell your home
-Refinance
-Pay the system off early
-Need a new roof
-Move before the agreement ends
-Have a problem with the equipment
If you don't understand something, ask. A good salesperson shouldn't be annoyed by questions. They should welcome them.
🦈 The “Too Good to Be True” Shark
You know the saying. If someone promises: No risk. Huge savings. No money down. Guaranteed results. And you need to sign today...
Take a breath.
Solar can be a fantastic investment for the right homeowner. But solar isn't magic.
The right system, at the right price, with the right financing and the right assumptions can make a lot of sense.
The wrong deal can do the opposite.
So How Do You Become Shark-proof?
You don't need to distrust every solar company. You don't need to become an electrical engineer. And you certainly don't need to spend six months researching solar before making a decision. You just need to ask good questions.
Start with these:
1. What am I paying for electricity today?
2. How much electricity will this system realistically produce?
3. What exactly will I pay for the solar system over its lifetime?
4. What assumptions are being used to calculate my savings?
5. What happens if I sell my home?
6. What are the warranties?
7. What happens if my roof needs to be replaced?
8. What happens if something goes wrong?
9. What are my financing options?
10. How does this proposal compare with another reputable company?
If a salesperson can't—or won't—answer those questions, that's a pretty good indication that you should start looking for the nearest lifeboat.
Here's the Part That Might Surprise You
I'm a licensed solar consultant. So why would I tell you to compare proposals and ask tough questions? Because I don't believe homeowners should buy solar because a salesperson convinced them to. They should buy solar because the numbers make sense for their particular home.
If another company's proposal is genuinely better for you, you should know that. If solar isn't right for your home, you should know that too. And if solar is a great fit, you should be confident that you're getting a good deal.
That's the difference between selling someone solar and helping someone make a smart solar decision.
I'm Not Here to Tell You Every Solar Company Is a bad Shark
There are plenty of reputable companies in the solar industry. There are hardworking salespeople who genuinely care about their customers. There are excellent installers, quality equipment manufacturers and financing options that can make solar an excellent choice for homeowners.
But there are also sharks. And you don't need to be afraid of them. You just need to know how to recognize them.
That's what I want to help homeowners do. Because going solar should be exciting—not something you regret five years later.
Do your homework. Ask questions. Look at the numbers. Read the contract. And most importantly:
Don't get eaten.
You don't need to distrust every solar company. You don't need to become an electrical engineer. And you certainly don't need to spend six months researching solar before making a decision. You just need to ask good questions.
Start with these:
1. What am I paying for electricity today?
2. How much electricity will this system realistically produce?
3. What exactly will I pay for the solar system over its lifetime?
4. What assumptions are being used to calculate my savings?
5. What happens if I sell my home?
6. What are the warranties?
7. What happens if my roof needs to be replaced?
8. What happens if something goes wrong?
9. What are my financing options?
10. How does this proposal compare with another reputable company?
If a salesperson can't—or won't—answer those questions, that's a pretty good indication that you should start looking for the nearest lifeboat.
Here's the Part That Might Surprise You
I'm a licensed solar consultant. So why would I tell you to compare proposals and ask tough questions? Because I don't believe homeowners should buy solar because a salesperson convinced them to. They should buy solar because the numbers make sense for their particular home.
If another company's proposal is genuinely better for you, you should know that. If solar isn't right for your home, you should know that too. And if solar is a great fit, you should be confident that you're getting a good deal.
That's the difference between selling someone solar and helping someone make a smart solar decision.
I'm Not Here to Tell You Every Solar Company Is a bad Shark
There are plenty of reputable companies in the solar industry. There are hardworking salespeople who genuinely care about their customers. There are excellent installers, quality equipment manufacturers and financing options that can make solar an excellent choice for homeowners.
But there are also sharks. And you don't need to be afraid of them. You just need to know how to recognize them.
That's what I want to help homeowners do. Because going solar should be exciting—not something you regret five years later.
Do your homework. Ask questions. Look at the numbers. Read the contract. And most importantly:
Don't get eaten.
Note: Some content was edited by Nabil Bedewi (Founder of Sharkproof LivingTM) for consistency with the trademarked content and metaphor.