How to Get Solar Panels for Free? Nothing Is Free.
It is 7:00 PM on a Tuesday. You are scrolling through your social media feed or watching a video online, and it pops up: a flashy advertisement featuring a homeowner holding a check, with bold text screaming:
“Oregon Homeowners! The Government is paying for your solar panels! Get them for FREE today!”
or
“New Washington Mandate: No Cost Solar for qualified zip codes!”
It sounds incredible. It sounds like the deal of a lifetime. And that is exactly what it is designed to sound like.
At Sunbridge Solar, we believe in radical transparency. After 15+ years of serving the Pacific Northwest, we have seen the damage these deceptive marketing campaigns can do to well-meaning families. We are here to set the record straight.
Here is the hard truth about free solar panels in Oregon and Washington: They do not exist.
Solar panels are high-tech construction projects involving electrical engineering, skilled labor, and advanced hardware. Nobody gives them away. When a company claims to offer “free solar,” they are usually selling you a complex financial product that benefits them far more than it benefits you.
Here is your guide to solar panel scams explained in the PNW, and how to navigate the market with your eyes open.
Decoding the Language: What “Free” Really Means
When a salesperson knocks on your door offering no cost solar in Washington or Oregon, they are engaging in a linguistic sleight of hand.
They aren’t giving you the panels. They are giving you the installation at no upfront cost, in exchange for signing away your roof rights and your financial incentives for the next 20 to 25 years.
This business model is typically a Solar Lease or a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
How a Solar Lease/PPA Works
- The “Free” Part: The solar company installs the system on your roof with $0 down.
- The Catch: You do not own the system. The solar company retains ownership.
- The Bill: You agree to buy the electricity the panels produce from the solar company, usually at a rate slightly lower than your current utility rate.
- The Escalator: Most of these contracts include an “escalator clause,” meaning the price you pay for that solar energy increases by roughly 2.9% every single year.
While this isn’t technically a “scam” in the legal sense—it is a legitimate contract—calling it “free solar” is highly misleading. You are simply trading one utility bill (PGE or Pacific Power) for another utility bill (the solar company), often with much less consumer protection.
The Cost of “Free”: Why Ownership Wins
To understand the true cost of solar panels, you have to look at who keeps the money.
When you sign a “free solar” lease, you are effectively acting as a host for the solar company’s asset. Because they own the system, they keep all the financial benefits that make solar such a lucrative investment in the Pacific Northwest.
1. You Lose the Tax Credit (ITC)
The Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) currently pays for 30% of the total system cost.
- If you Buy/Finance: You get that massive tax credit. On a $30,000 system, that is $9,000 in your pocket.
- If you Lease (“Free”): The solar company keeps the $9,000. You get nothing.
2. You Lose State Incentives
This is critical for solar lease vs ownership in Oregon. The Energy Trust of Oregon offers cash incentives for qualified installations.
- If you Buy/Finance: Those incentives reduce your net cost.
- If you Lease (“Free”): The leasing company pockets the cash incentive.
3. You Miss Out on “Net Metering” Value
When you own your system, every kilowatt-hour (kWh) you generate is free energy that you own. You trade it with the utility grid 1-for-1. Once the system is paid off, your electricity is truly free.
With a PPA, you never stop paying. You are renting that power forever (or for 25 years), often with rising rates that can eventually surpass utility costs.
The Real Estate Nightmare: Selling a Home with a Lease
This is the hidden trap that beware of free solar offers warnings often miss.
Life happens. You might need to sell your home in 5 or 10 years. If you bought your solar panels (cash or loan), they are an asset. Studies show homes with owned solar sell faster and for a premium because the new buyer gets a home with no electric bill.
If you have a “Free Solar” lease:
The solar panels are a liability.
- The Lien: The solar company places a UCC-1 filing (lien) on your home’s title. You cannot sell the house until this is resolved.
- The Transfer: You have to convince the home buyer to assume your solar lease contract. They have to qualify for the credit, and they have to agree to take over the monthly payments.
- The Deal Killer: Many buyers will refuse. They want the house, not your complicated solar contract. We have seen homeowners forced to pay $20,000+ to buy out their lease just to close the sale of their home.
“Zero Down” vs. “Free”: Understanding Solar Financing
We need to make a crucial distinction in solar energy education.
There is a massive difference between “Free Solar” (Leases/PPAs) and “Zero Down Solar Ownership.”
At Sunbridge Solar, we often install systems with $0 down. However, we do this through solar panel payment options like low-interest solar loans or Credit Union financing.
The Difference:
- Solar Loan: You borrow the money to buy the system. It is $0 down, but you own the system. You get the tax credit. You get the state incentives. You get the increase in home value. Once the loan is paid off, the energy is 100% yours.
- Solar Lease: You pay $0 down, but you own nothing. You are a tenant on your own roof.
Legitimate “Zero Down” is a smart financial tool. “Free Solar” is a marketing trap.
Red Flags: How to Spot a Scam
To avoid misleading solar claims, watch out for these specific tactics used by aggressive lead-generation companies in the PNW.
1. “The Government Program”
The Lie: “The State of Washington has a new program where they install panels for free to meet green energy goals.”
The Truth: Government programs (like the ITC or Washington Solar Sales Tax Exemption) help reduce the cost, but they do not make it free. The government does not install solar panels.
2. “We Need a Model Home”
The Lie: “We are looking for a model home in your zip code to showcase our work. We will give you the system for free in exchange for putting a sign in your yard.”
The Truth: This is a classic bait-and-switch. The “free system” is just a standard PPA lease, and every house on the block gets the same “model home” pitch.
3. “No Bill Guaranteed”
The Lie: “You will never receive a utility bill again.”
The Truth: Even with a perfect solar system, you will usually pay a small “base charge” or “connection fee” to PGE, Pacific Power, or Puget Sound Energy (usually $10–$15/month). Promising a complete $0 bill is a sign of dishonesty.
4. High-Pressure Tactics
The Lie: “This eligibility expires tonight. You have to sign now.”
The Truth: True eligibility is based on your roof, your credit, and the tax code—none of which expire at midnight.
Why Sunbridge Solar Advocates for Ownership
We built our reputation in Oregon and Washington by telling the truth, even when it costs us a sale.
We generally advise against leases and PPAs because the math rarely works out in the homeowner’s favor compared to ownership.
Our Approach:
- Transparency: We show you the cash price, the financed price, and the total cost of ownership over 25 years.
- Customization: We design systems based on your actual energy needs, not a sales quota.
- Education: We spend time understanding solar financing with you. We want you to know exactly how the 30% tax credit works and how to apply for it.
- Local Accountability: We are not a call center in another state. We are your neighbors. If you have a problem, we are here to fix it.
Takeaway: Nothing is Free, But Solar is Worth It
The irony of the “Free Solar” scam is that legitimate solar ownership is already an incredible deal.
- You get a 30% discount from the Federal Government.
- You get cash rebates from the Energy Trust of Oregon (if applicable).
- You get 0% Sales Tax in Washington.
- You lock in a fixed cost for power while utility rates skyrocket.
You don’t need a deceptive “free” offer to save money. You just need an honest design and a calculator.
If you are tired of the spam and want a real, no-nonsense conversation about the price of going solar, we are here to help.
Ready for the truth?
Click here to request a callback or call us at 360-313-7190. We promise: No gimmicks. No “free” nonsense. Just expert advice on how to own your power.
