Solar doorstep and cold-call scams: how to spot them

How solar scams usually start

A scam often starts when someone you do not know contacts you unexpectedly. It might be a knock at the door, a phone call, a text or an email, so stay alert in every case. Citizens Advice says that if someone pressures you or contacts you out of the blue, it is most likely a scam.

Not every unexpected visit is a scam, yet caution costs you nothing. You never have to agree to anything on the doorstep. Take time, ask for details in writing, and check every claim yourself.

A real case to learn from

In November 2025, GOV.UK reported that the Insolvency Service wound up a solar panel firm. Specifically, it said there were 80 complaints to Trading Standards and Action Fraud about cold calls and unsolicited house visits. Customers were often promised refunds from government grants that they never received.

Sales staff targeted people who already had solar panels fitted by other companies. They persuaded them to buy parts or maintenance plans with advance payments. The average age of those who complained was 76. As a result, older homeowners need to take particular care.

Common warning signs

Scammers use the same tricks again and again, so knowing them makes you harder to fool. Look out for the signs in the list below.

• Someone you do not know contacts you and starts talking about grants.
• You are asked to transfer money quickly or to pay in advance.
• You are asked to give away personal information, such as bank details.
• You get no written confirmation of what has been agreed.
• The caller says the offer ends today, or that only a few places are left.

Citizens Advice lists these as red flags for scams in general, and they fit solar sales well. If you notice two or more, stop and check.

Fake grant claims

A false claim about a grant is a common trick. Callers say the government will pay for your panels, or that you are owed a refund. In reality, real schemes have rules, and funding is never guaranteed.

For example, the English Warm Homes: Local Grant starts with an online check on GOV.UK, not a phone call. GOV.UK tells people to apply only on GOV.UK, and the council then contacts you if funding is available. Our guide to free solar panels explains what public money really covers.

ECO4 works differently again, because suppliers run it. Ofgem says ECO is not a grant scheme, and energy suppliers choose what they fund. It also says you should only agree to measures after you receive a contract, and you do not have to sign for work you think is unsuitable. Our guide to ECO4 and solar panels in 2026 covers what has changed, and the ECO4 scheme page has the basics.

Pressure selling and finance tricks

Some firms push you to sign on the spot. They may offer a “special price” that disappears when they leave. That is pressure, whereas a good firm will give you time to think.

Finance can add another layer of risk. A salesperson may arrange credit for you, yet bury the cost in the small print. Check who the lender is on the FCA Financial Services Register, and compare the total you will repay. Read our guide to solar loans and finance before you sign anything.

Know your cancellation rights

You usually have time to change your mind. Citizens Advice says you get a 14-day cooling-off period for services bought at home when the cost is £42 or more. The period begins the day after you enter the contract.

Therefore, cancel in writing and keep a copy. Credit agreements often have their own 14-day right to cancel too, since the Consumer Credit Act covers many of them. Ask the lender to confirm it.

Protect yourself before you pay

A few simple habits cut your risk a great deal, and none of them takes long. Use them every time someone offers you solar panels.

• Say you will think about it, and close the door or end the call.
• Check the company name, address and MCS details yourself.
• Get at least three written quotes before you decide.
• Pay by a secure method, such as a credit card.
• Ask a trusted friend or family member to read the contract.

Citizens Advice says credit cards offer the most protection, followed by PayPal or a debit card. For help with checking a firm, read how to check an MCS certified installer. The same advice applies in every nation, so see solar funding routes in England, in Wales and in Northern Ireland for the real schemes.

Extra care for older people and those on benefits

Pensioners and people on low incomes are often targeted, so take extra care. Read about solar panel grants for pensioners and solar funding if you get benefits to see which routes are real. If you help a relative, sit with them when a salesperson visits, because a second opinion often stops a rushed decision.

Where to report a scam

Reporting helps stop others being caught, because agencies can then act. Citizens Advice says offline scams, such as telephone, post and doorstep, can go to the Citizens Advice consumer service. You can also report the scam to Action Fraud.

Forward scam texts to 7726, the free spam-text reporting number. If you have handed over money, talk to your bank or card company straight away, since speed gives you the best chance of help.

If you want genuine quotes

Once you are safe, you may still want solar panels. While you decide, you can compare installers through our optional quote request page. That is a separate step, because we do not decide who qualifies for any grant.