consumer protection
Resource Portal
learn more
Smart Solar Guide
Over 4 million Americans across all 50 states have added solar to their homes and are now saving thousands of dollars on their electricity bills every year. However, going solar is a major purchase and you should have a clear understanding of all the solar options available to you before you make a decision for you and your family. Use this guide to get started on your path to going solar.
Read More ->
explore our work
Consumer Protection Principles
SEIA is committed to strong consumer protection for Americans who invest in solar and storage. For the solar and storage industry to realize its full potential as an American economic engine, and provide Americans with competitive power choices, customers must fully understand solar transactions and companies must hold themselves to the highest ethical standards and business practices.
Read More ->
SEIA’s Commitment to Education
SEIA and the solar industry are committed to educating all stakeholders about solar consumer protection issues. SEIA has published industry alerts and compliance materials to help industry better understand consumer protection rules and regulations. SEIA published its Consumer Protection Primer to catalogue key federal and state consumer protection laws and marketing topics that residential solar companies need to know. The primer is currently being updated to reflect changes in state law. SEIA has also released an installation best practices guide to promote quality system design and installations.
SEIA continues to host webinars and conference panels to provide consumers, government, media and the industry itself a greater understanding about the solar transaction and regulations.
In 2023, SEIA took several important steps to enhance its educational resources. SEIA launched its free Consumer Protection 101 video series, which traces key consumer protection laws and topics for the solar and storage industry. SEIA also released an updated version of The Consumer Guide to Solar Power and two new factsheets: The Solar Investment Tax Credit: What Homeowners Need to Know; and California Net Billing Info: Residential and Commercial Solar Customers. SEIA has also translated its consumer facing resources into Spanish and other foreign languages.
Protecting Our Customers
SEIA Solar Business Code
The heart of SEIA’s consumer protection work is the voluntary SEIA Solar Business Code. The Code was formally adopted by SEIA in 2015 and all SEIA member companies must abide by the Code. Many other non-members are choosing to follow its rules as well. The Code presents rules on advertising, marketing and consumer interactions and contracts, and reminds companies about state and federal laws and regulations.
Read More ->
ANSI Standards Accreditation
SEIA is approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as an Accredited Standards Development Organization. SEIA can convene industry stakeholders to develop national standards for the U.S. solar and storage industry and received the greenlight to develop consumer protection standards. The first set of consumer protection standards focuses on salesperson training, contract disclosures, and marketing claims. SEIA has also begun developing residential installation standards. All standards will be released for public review and comment.
Solar 101: Consumer Protection
Residential solar companies face a myriad of state and federal laws and regulations that govern activities from advertisements to telephone calls to contracts. This education program introduces viewers to relevant consumer protection rules and topics that companies to need to be aware to stay compliant with the law.
Read More ->
consumer protection
More Resources
learn more
All News ->Related Consumer Protection News
