SHREVEPORT, La. -- SWEPCO has issued a warning to its customers to be aware of solar panel salesmen working the area claiming to be a partner of the utility. “It’s important for our customers to know SWEPCO does not sell solar panels and is not partnered with any companies that do,” said SWEPCO’s Vice President of External Affairs William Bradford Jr. Solar panels can be an option for customers looking to reduce their environmental footprint and potentially the amount they pay for electric service, SWEPCO said in a news release Monday. “There are many factors that determine if that will make financial sense for a customer,” said Jeff Thigpen, Alternative Energy Resources manager. “That’s an important reason why SWEPCO encourages customers to ask questions and be informed before making any commitments, especially ones that could include hidden costs.” If installed correctly, solar systems will produce some electrical energy. Whether this self-produced energy saves the homeowner money or not is highly dependent on the amount the customer will be paying for the system. The payment will be in addition to the customer’s SWEPCO bill, which will not be eliminated completely, the news release states. “We believe that before a consumer makes any investment, they should take time to research the product, the costs, the company selling the system, and any long-term commitments to have the facts necessary to make the choice that’s best for them and their family,” said Paul Pratt, SWEPCO customer services & marketing director.
A few things to note:
- SWEPCO is not in partnership with any solar installation company, nor does SWEPCO endorse one over another.
- SWEPCO does not send anyone door to door to sell any product, including solar.
- If the customer account for electricity is active, customers will continue to receive a bill from SWEPCO. SWEPCO will also continue to have a meter at the customer’s property.
- It’s simply not true that purchasing a solar system will entirely eliminate an electricity bill.
- Solar systems without battery backup will not provide power during a grid power outage or at night.