Owensboro Municipal Utilities is warning customers to be cautious after reports surfaced of a solar power distributor falsely claiming to be an OMU partner or preferred vendor.
OMU Communications and Public Relations Officer Sonya Dixon said the utility has received several calls from customers and even employees who’ve been approached by a company suggesting an affiliation with OMU.
“We do not have those partnerships,” Dixon said. “It’s disconcerting for us to have someone present themselves as a partner when they’re not.”
Dixon emphasized that OMU is not discouraging residents from pursuing solar energy, but wants customers to begin the process correctly: by contacting OMU first.
“The first step in securing solar for your home or business should be to contact OMU,” Dixon said. “We can make sure the system meets requirements, help run the numbers off your bill, and ensure that your setup is appropriately sized for your needs. Our engineering team can walk customers through the process safely and in line with our ordinances.”
She added that some solar vendors have provided misleading information about potential savings and system performance. By working directly with OMU, customers can verify that any installation meets system capacity standards and net-metering regulations.
“It is certainly an investment,” Dixon said. “We just want to help make sure you don’t overbuild or underbuild that system.”
Dixon also reminded residents that if anyone claims to be an OMU employee or representative, customers should verify their identity before engaging with them.
“If someone is in your yard or knocks on your door saying they’re with OMU, you can always call us at 270-926-3200 to confirm,” she said. “These types of situations happen to utilities everywhere, but we want our customers to be informed and protected.”
For more information about solar installations or OMU’s net metering program, visit omu.org/net-metering or call 270-926-3200.
