COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — As solar panel installations are on the rise, Colorado Springs Utilities says solar power scams are increasing as well.
The utility company says they are continuing to receive reports of people going door to door illegitimately claiming they’re with Colorado Springs Utilities.
“A lot of our own employees have reported it to us,” said Danielle Nieves with Springs Utilities, “employees who say somebody has come to their door claiming to be Colorado Springs Utilities.”
While those individuals attempt to convince residents to purchase the panels, Springs Utilities wants to remind customers that they do not actually install solar panels themselves. So if residents hear that claim, it’s an immediate tip off they’re part of a potential scam.
The utility company’s role comes in after a third-party installation, as they work with homeowners to store the excess energy their homes collect.
According to Springs Utilities, once a rooftop solar unit is connected, excess energy not used by someone’s home goes to “the grid,” which supplies energy to their system.
They regulate that system to give customers energy when their consumption exceeds the amount of energy their rooftop units have produced. And when their units produce more energy than they need, they see benefits.
Residents who contribute that excess energy can “bank” the energy as credits to use at another time or for bill credit.
Colorado Springs…
