THE SHORT ANSWER
The FTC warns about solar sellers falsely claiming government or utility ties. A utility name in a pitch is not evidence of affiliation. Verify the specific claim through a contact you obtain independently. [1]
Ask the seller to identify the actual company
Request the legal business name, the name under which the installation contract will be written and the precise relationship being claimed. “We work with the utility” can mean an installer submits normal interconnection paperwork, which is not the same as being the utility or its endorsed program. Ask what document supports the stronger claim if one is made.
Use the number on your own bill
Contact the utility through its official website or an existing statement, not a number supplied only by the salesperson. Describe the claimed program and company name and ask the utility to verify it. You do not need to hand over account credentials to make that inquiry. Keep a note of the answer and date, especially if the pitch relies on urgency or a limited enrollment claim.
Separate legitimate paperwork from broad access
A solar review may need usage and property information. That is not a reason to share your utility password, bank login or a one-time authentication code. Ask why each requested document is needed and share only the relevant pages through the agreed channel. Before signing an electronic document, check whether it is a consent, credit application, installation agreement or something else.
Make a no-cost claim describe an actual obligation
If a pitch says panels are free, ask who owns the equipment, who receives each payment, how long obligations last and what charges remain. A loan with no initial payment is still a loan; a lease is not a gift. Do not assume a claimed utility relationship removes contract obligations or makes the equipment automatically suitable for your property. Have the written agreement explain the arrangement.
Keep the response proportionate and documented
A vague statement is a reason to verify, not proof that every person involved committed fraud. Preserve messages and proposal pages if something appears misleading, and use the FTC’s reporting guidance when appropriate. Origin is a separate contractor, not your electric utility. In an Origin Direct review, ask the same questions you would ask any provider: who performs the work, what the agreement covers and which claims are supported by current documents.
Before your next conversation
- Identify the contracting business.
- Verify affiliation through the utility’s own contact.
- Read the document type before signing.
Primary sources
- FTC: How to avoid solar or clean energy scams
Primary reference checked September 9, 2026. Applies only to the named program or equipment; confirm current terms for your property.
Planning examples and questions are Origin’s editorial guidance, not a property-specific diagnosis, engineering design, tax determination or promise of savings. Manufacturer and utility references do not imply an affiliation with Origin.
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