Trump Tariff Threats Could Increase Home Solar Fraud: Here Is How You Can Stay Protected

The Trump Administration enacted a number of tariffs in 2025, most recently with an increase and expansion of tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, a key component of home solar systems. While this could cause an increase in installation prices, some installers may take this opportunity to overcharge for solar and blame it on the tariffs, leaving homeowners with lower savings. 

The solar industry doesn’t have the best reputation. A few bad apples have left a black eye on home solar, and the situation could potentially get worse. Here’s what you need to know about Trump’s tariffs and how to protect yourself from solar companies looking to take advantage of an uncertain situation. 

A history of tariffs and the solar industry

Trump’s latest tariffs impact steel and aluminum imports. Though tariffs were already in place on these products from his last presidential stint, the newly instituted tariffs remove exempt countries, shrink exclusions, increase aluminum tariffs from 10% to 25%, and expand the list of products subject to tariffs. 

The solar industry is no stranger to tariffs on imported products. The first tariffs levied on solar panels came in 2012 when the Commerce Department under President Obama initiated tariffs of between 24% and 36% on solar panels from China. 

The panels in question were being produced with significant subsidies from the Chinese government, then sold in the United States below the cost to produce them, a practice known as “dumping.” The tariffs were designed to protect solar manufacturers operating in America from having to compete with ultra-cheap foreign products. 

Despite these tariffs, solar manufacturers still struggled to produce panels in the United States at prices that could compete with Chinese products, and many Chinese manufacturers simply moved their operations to countries where the U.S. had no such tariffs.

In 2018, President Trump added several new tariffs on products from a much broader list of countries. These included the Section 201 tariffs on imported crystalline solar cells, which were extended in 2022 by the Biden Administration, and Section 232 tariffs on almost all aluminum and steel imports. 

These tariffs did prompt some manufacturers to set up shop in America, but simultaneously, they made business more difficult for solar installation companies who relied on a stream of low-cost panels for their business. An analysis by the Solar Energy Industries Association found the tariffs ultimately cost the industry 62,000 American jobs and increased installation costs for homeowners.

Will Trump’s new tariffs increase home solar prices?

The slew of new tariffs will lead to higher solar equipment costs. Tariffs placed on China earlier this year impact some rare-earth metals used in solar products, and aluminum is a key component in solar modules and racking. 

However, it’s not all doom and gloom. Solar equipment accounts for roughly 41% of a solar installation’s total cost, with the bulk of expenses tied to installation, soft costs, permitting and design, and profit margins. 

When you just consider the new metals tariffs, the solar installation costs would likely only increase by roughly 2.3%, impacting the cost of the aluminum used in solar module frames and steel used in racking systems. This would barely make a dent in a homeowner’s solar savings. 

How the tariffs can increase solar fraud

Tariffs have been all over the news lately, stirring panic over the cost of living and confusion about how exactly they work. According to our 2025 Solar Industry Survey, 56% of solar installation companies are concerned about potential tariffs. 

Unfortunately, some bad actors across industries will jump on this opportunity to increase their pricing substantially, even when they don’t have to. We saw a similar situation during COVID-19 when companies hiked prices, citing pandemic-related supply chain disruptions to increase their profits.

Some solar companies may exploit the confusion surrounding tariffs as a chance to inflate their prices, profiting off of unsuspecting homeowners. While slight price increases may be justified, it's important to remain cautious of excessively high quotes.

4 ways to stay protected against tariff impacts

Solar shoppers have many reasons to be cautious, including so-called “solar bros”— door-to-door salespeople who use high-pressure tactics (even allegedly falsifying signatures on loan documents) to get a homeowner to sign up for overly expensive solar installations. 

With the potential for price-gouging disguised as tariff-related increases — coupled with the Trump Administration’s push to gut federal government offices and weaken the Federal Consumer Protection Bureau (one of the few resources for homeowners dealing with bad companies) — it's more important than ever for homeowners to protect themselves.

1. Plan ahead

If you’re serious about going solar, it’s better to do it sooner rather than later. That said, don’t allow yourself to be pressured into a deal, and don’t always believe a salesperson who tells you that the price will increase if you don’t sign today.

However, tariffs are a key component of Trump’s economic plan, and there is a possibility that they’ll be here to stay, or even increase, as countries retaliate in escalating trade conflicts. 

It’s also important to note that the President hasn’t always been an advocate for solar. Despite buddying up to clean energy CEO Elon Musk and claiming he’s “a big fan of solar,” his energy policy plans are devoid of renewables, and his closest energy advisors are fossil fuel advocates. 

There have already been attempts to repeal portions of the Inflation Reduction Act, which contains important tax credits to offset the cost of installing solar panels. If you’re interested in solar power to save money, start looking now and be ready if you find a good deal.

2. American-made products

Another way to mitigate the impact of tariffs on your solar investment is by looking for solar products manufactured in the United States. There are plenty of major solar manufacturers assembling panels in the U.S. that make high-quality products that might be less impacted by the tariffs. 

It is important to note that while plenty of solar panels are manufactured in the United States, many of the components used are imported from other countries, meaning they won’t be fully protected from tariffs.

3. Read customer reviews carefully

Customer reviews can indicate what kind of solar company you’re dealing with, and it’s important to look at them with a critical eye to ensure you’re working with a trustworthy company. 

Even if you find an installer with recent positive reviews, be sure to read some of the negative ones. Homeowners can have an excellent initial experience with their installers but receive subpar service down the line. 

Keep that in mind as you read reviews and see if any patterns emerge in the types of positive and negative reviews a company receives. 

4. Shop around for solar installers

The best way to protect yourself from being overcharged for solar is to get quotes from multiple companies. Comparing solar quotes allows you to see what more than one company is charging in your area. Extremely high prices will be obvious compared to reliable companies’ quotes. 

Shopping around also gives you the opportunity to speak to multiple installers. Ask them if they expect tariffs to impact their pricing, or if they already have, and what you can expect from them in the future.