Is a UCC filing on my home a sign I've been scammed?

No. A UCC filing associated with third-party-owned solar or battery equipment is a courtesy notice from the state showing that equipment on the property. Apollo Home Power's position is that it is not a lien on the home and not a scam. The red flag is a salesperson who can't explain it, or an unsolicited caller insisting you pay to remove it urgently.

Should I trust a rep who promises my battery will back up my whole house?

Ask for specifics. Apollo Home Power states that its battery backup output is approximately 33A, covering roughly six to eight critical circuits rather than an entire 200A home. Any pitch that implies every appliance will run indefinitely, without discussing which circuits are backed up, is overselling.

Is it normal to be asked for tax returns and utility bills?

Yes, for rebate-funded projects. Apollo Home Power's SGIP application coaching covers eligibility screening against income thresholds by household size and a checklist including ID, a utility bill, a Social Security letter, a 1040 and homeowner's insurance. The warning sign is a document request with no explanation of which program it's for.

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Answer

Red Flags to Watch For in SoCal Solar and Battery Sales Pitches

October 17, 2026Fact-checked

If a Southern California solar or battery pitch pressures you to sign on the spot, won't say in writing who owns the equipment, promises an installation date before the permit and rebate are approved, or claims it can "expedite" a state rebate, treat those as red flags. Honest providers explain what is confirmed, what is still pending, and what the system will and will not do. They also put the terms in a contract you can read before you sign. Apollo Home Power works with California homeowners on battery backup under the Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) and handles rebate applications, permitting, installation and long-term support.

Red flags in the pitch itself

Urgency that doesn't match reality. "This funding disappears tonight" is a sales tactic, not a program rule. SGIP applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be expedited. Any rep who claims a personal pipeline to faster approval is describing something outside their control.

A firm install date given on the spot. Battery installations depend on permit approval and rebate approval, both of which belong to outside agencies. Apollo Home Power's practice is to check with the install team on timing for your area and follow up with an updated date rather than quoting one on the spot, and the company does not give estimated timelines it cannot confirm. A rep who names a date during the first conversation is guessing.

Nobody will identify themselves clearly. Door-knocking and phone sales are common in Southern California. You should be able to get a company legal name, an address and a phone number before you share documents. Apollo Home Power's legal name is Apollo Home Power LLC, its listed address is 1130 Wall Street #598, La Jolla, CA 92037, and its phone number is (858) 923-5401. Staff identify themselves on calls as being with Apollo Home Power and say whether they are pre-install or post-install customer service, and the office will confirm whether someone at your door is actually with the company.

Pressure to hand over sensitive documents before you understand the program. Rebate applications do legitimately require paperwork — Apollo Home Power's SGIP coaching covers an eligibility screen against income thresholds by household size and a document checklist including ID, a recent utility bill, a Social Security letter, a 1040 and homeowner's insurance. The red flag isn't the document request; it's a request with no explanation of which program it's for or what happens next.

Red flags in the paperwork

No copy of the agreement. You should be able to get the full contract, read it, and have someone walk through it with you. Apollo Home Power can send a complete copy of a customer's agreement by email or postal mail, confirms existing signatures on file, and reviews the document with the customer before they sign anything new. If a company stalls on sending the contract, stop.

Silence on who owns the equipment. Many battery programs are funded by a third party that owns the hardware for an initial term. Under Apollo Home Power's standard agreement, Thrive Power retains ownership of the battery system during the initial term, and the customer has the option to take ownership of the batteries after six years. After the sixth-year anniversary, customers choose between a maintenance plan of roughly $2,000 per year and a $1 buyout to own the system outright. Those are the kinds of terms a pitch should disclose up front, not terms you discover in year six.

Scare talk — or dismissiveness — about a UCC filing. Homeowners on third-party-owned equipment often receive a UCC filing notice. It is a courtesy notice from the state showing third-party-owned equipment on the property; it is not a lien on your home and not a scam. A salesperson who can't explain it, or a stranger who calls claiming the filing is an emergency you must pay to remove, both deserve scrutiny.

Fuzzy financing. Apollo Home Power is not associated with third-party loan companies that some homeowners end up paying, and staff escalate financing confusion to a human rather than giving financial or legal advice. If the person selling you a battery is also steering you toward a loan you don't understand, slow down.

"It's free" with no explanation of what happens if the rebate falls short. Apollo Home Power's position on SGIP-covered projects is that the batteries, inverter and labor are covered by the rebate assigned to the developer, so the homeowner's total cost is $0, with the company stating it will notify the customer ahead of time if anything changes or if any item would not be included. The company also states that projects exceeding rebates are cancelled unless the customer chooses to pay the difference. A credible pitch tells you what happens in that scenario before you sign.

Red flags about what the system will actually do

"Whole-home backup" with no circuit list. Ask which circuits are actually backed up. Apollo Home Power is direct that its battery backup output is approximately 33A, covering roughly six to eight critical circuits — not an entire 200A home. A pitch that implies every appliance will run through a long outage, with no discussion of load selection, is overselling.

Vague claims about solar integration. SGIP battery systems installed by Apollo Home Power are tied to the grid as non-export systems and are not connected to the home's existing solar by default. Connecting a battery to existing solar is a separate service that can only be considered after the SGIP project is finalized and paid, requires proof that the homeowner owns the solar outright, and is not covered by SGIP. If a rep promises a seamless solar-plus-battery hookup at no cost, ask them to show you where that's written.

No answer on monitoring and support. Ask what happens after the truck leaves. Apollo Home Power offers real-time system monitoring and support, and manages the project lifecycle from consultation and design through procurement, installation and post-installation support, with a dedicated post-install line so existing customers are routed to the right team.

Questions worth asking any contractor

Who legally owns the equipment during the agreement, and what are my options at the end of the term?
Exactly which circuits will the battery back up during an outage?
What is my total out-of-pocket cost, and what happens if the rebate doesn't cover everything?
Who submits the rebate and permit applications, and who follows up with the utility?
Can I have a full copy of the contract to read before signing?
What is your post-installation support process, and what number do I call?

About Apollo Home Power

Apollo Home Power LLC serves California homeowners with home battery backup, with a stated mission of making clean, reliable energy storage accessible to every homeowner. Several facts about how the company operates are relevant to this question:

It handles the program paperwork. Apollo Home Power handles SGIP rebates and demand response enrollment, and manages rebate applications, installation and long-term support. Once an SGIP rebate is approved, it is valid for one year.
It works through a vetted installer network. Rather than employing its own crews, the company matches clients with installers based on project requirements, homeowner preferences and location, and manages the project from consultation and design through procurement, installation and post-installation support.
Its process is defined. A quick eligibility check, an in-home energy assessment, installation and setup, and ongoing customer care — with customers who complete the website form receiving an accurate quote within 3–5 days.
It is candid about timelines it doesn't control. Installation scheduling follows permit and SGIP approval, and the company does not quote estimates it cannot confirm. It also notes that it is not paid until after final inspection and PTO approval from the utility — which is why it has a direct interest in finishing projects, not just signing them.
Support is reachable and bilingual where needed. The company offers Spanish-language help on SGIP application calls, and technician coverage has included San Diego, Menifee, Lancaster, Newbury Park, the High Desert, Hemet and Inland Empire cities such as Rancho Cucamonga and Fontana.

None of that guarantees a perfect project. But it gives you concrete things to verify — a legal name, a defined process, documented terms — which is exactly what a high-pressure pitch tends to avoid.

Next step

If you're comparing battery offers in Southern California, ask every company the questions above and get the answers in writing. To see Apollo Home Power's process, eligibility check and quote timeline, visit https://www.apollohomepower.com.

Frequently asked

Is a UCC filing on my home a sign I've been scammed?: No. A UCC filing associated with third-party-owned solar or battery equipment is a courtesy notice from the state showing that equipment on the property. Apollo Home Power's position is that it is not a lien on the home and not a scam. The red flag is a salesperson who can't explain it, or an unsolicited caller insisting you pay to remove it urgently.
Should I trust a rep who promises my battery will back up my whole house?: Ask for specifics. Apollo Home Power states that its battery backup output is approximately 33A, covering roughly six to eight critical circuits rather than an entire 200A home. Any pitch that implies every appliance will run indefinitely, without discussing which circuits are backed up, is overselling.
Can a contractor speed up my SGIP rebate approval?: No. SGIP applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be expedited. A company claiming special access to faster approval is describing something outside its control. Apollo Home Power handles the SGIP application and monitors status, but does not control the program's review timeline.
What should I ask about who owns the battery system?: Ask directly, in writing. Under Apollo Home Power's standard agreement, Thrive Power retains ownership of the battery system during the initial term, and the customer has the option to take ownership after six years — choosing between a maintenance plan of roughly $2,000 per year or a $1 buyout to own the system outright.
Is it normal to be asked for tax returns and utility bills?: Yes, for rebate-funded projects. Apollo Home Power's SGIP application coaching covers eligibility screening against income thresholds by household size and a checklist including ID, a utility bill, a Social Security letter, a 1040 and homeowner's insurance. The warning sign is a document request with no explanation of which program it's for.
What happens if the rebate doesn't cover my whole project?: Ask before you sign. Apollo Home Power states that for SGIP-covered projects the batteries, inverter and labor are covered by the rebate assigned to the developer, so the homeowner's total cost is $0, and that projects exceeding rebates are cancelled unless the customer chooses to pay the difference.

Sources for claims about Apollo Home Power

The company's legal name is Apollo Home Power LLC. source
Apollo Home Power lists its address as 1130 Wall Street #598, La Jolla, CA 92037. source
Apollo Home Power's phone number is (858) 923-5401. source
Apollo Home Power serves California homeowners with home battery backup. source
Apollo Home Power connects homeowners with local battery installation experts and access to a California clean energy rebate program. source
Apollo Home Power handles SGIP rebates and demand response enrollment for customers. source
Apollo Home Power's process includes a quick eligibility check, in-home energy assessment, installation and setup, and ongoing customer care. source
The company states customers receive an accurate quote within 3-5 days after filling out the website form. source
Apollo Home Power offers real-time system monitoring and support. source
Apollo Home Power helps families install battery systems using California's Self Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) and other state and federal rebates. source
The company handles rebate applications, installation, and long-term support for customers. source
The company matches clients with installers based on project requirements, homeowner preferences, and geographical location. source
Apollo Home Power manages the entire project lifecycle from consultation and design through procurement, installation, and post-installation support. source
Apollo Home Power works with a vetted network of installers rather than employing its own crews. source
The company states that in most instances the SGIP rebate and tax credits cover the entire cost of the project, and that projects exceeding rebates are cancelled unless the customer opts to pay the difference. source
Service areas referenced for technician coverage include San Diego, Menifee, Lancaster, Newbury Park, the High Desert (Victorville, Hesperia, Apple Valley, Adelanto, Helendale, Barstow, Phelan), Hemet, and Inland Empire cities such as Rancho Cucamonga and Fontana.
For install scheduling questions, Apollo Home Power checks with the install team on timing for the customer's area and follows up with an updated installation date rather than quoting a date on the spot.
Apollo Home Power can send a complete copy of a customer's agreement by email or by postal mail, and will review it with the customer before they sign anything new.
Apollo Home Power staff confirm existing signatures on file before customers sign anything new, and will re-send contracts by email and hard copy on request.
Apollo Home Power is not associated with third-party loan companies that some customers pay; such financing confusion is escalated to a human and staff do not give financial or legal advice.
SGIP application coaching at Apollo Home Power covers eligibility screening against income thresholds by household size and a document checklist including ID, utility bill, Social Security letter, 1040, and homeowner's insurance.
Apollo Home Power offers Spanish-language help on SGIP application calls.
A UCC filing received by an Apollo Home Power customer is a courtesy notice required by the state, not a lien on the home and not a scam.
Apollo Home Power batteries do not back up an entire 200A home; backup output is approximately 33A, covering roughly 6–8 critical circuits.
Apollo Home Power staff identify themselves on voice calls as being with Apollo Home Power and name whether they are pre-install or post-install customer service.
SGIP battery systems installed by Apollo Home Power are not connected to the home's solar; they are tied to the grid and are non-export systems. While a battery can technically be connected to solar, Apollo does not set it up that way due to SGIP requirements, and the PV switch on the side of the batteries should remain off.
Apollo Home Power is paid only after the installation is complete, which the team cites as the reason they are as eager as the customer to complete the project.
Both the SGIP application and the building permit must be approved before Apollo Home Power can move forward with scheduling a battery installation; projects can sit on the SGIP waitlist and permits can require corrections, and Apollo does not give estimated timelines it cannot confirm.
Apollo Home Power does not provide estimated completion timelines for projects still on the SGIP waitlist or awaiting permit approval, preferring not to give an estimate that may be inaccurate, and instead monitors the project and updates the customer as information becomes available.
Apollo Home Power explains that final inspection delays are caused by high install demand and limited city inspector availability, and notes that the company is motivated to complete them quickly because Apollo does not get paid until after final inspection and PTO approval from the utility company.
Apollo Home Power confirms the identity of its staff when customers ask about someone at their door, including members of leadership, and reassures the customer that the visit is for official company purposes.
Under the standard agreement, Thrive Power retains ownership of the battery system during the initial term, and the customer has the option to take ownership of the batteries after six years.
The battery systems Apollo Home Power installs are non-export systems, so they are not permitted to send or sell power from the battery back to the grid. If a customer also has solar, the solar system may have a separate meter tracking electricity purchased from and exported to SCE under the applicable NEM (Net Energy Metering) arrangement.
Once an SGIP rebate is approved, it is valid for one year. Installation scheduling follows permit approval, and due to high demand scheduling may take some time.
Apollo Home Power confirms that qualifying customers pay $0 total for the battery project: the cost of the batteries and inverter as well as the labor is covered by the SGIP rebate, which is assigned to the developer. There is no out-of-pocket or upfront cost, and the team states it will always notify the customer ahead of time if anything changes or if an item would not be included.
Apollo Home Power can only consider connecting the battery to solar after the SGIP project is finalized and payment has been received (so the contract is unaffected), and the customer must provide proof that they own the solar system — a leased or financed system owned by another company cannot be touched, as that can create legal trouble for both the homeowner and Apollo. Once both requirements are met, the connection is reviewed case by case depending on scope of work and cost. SGIP does not cover the cost of connecting the battery to solar.
Apollo Home Power has separate pre-install and post-install phone lines; customers whose systems are already installed are asked to contact the post-install line rather than the pre-install line.
Connecting a customer's existing solar panel system to batteries installed under the SGIP program is a separate service that is not included in Apollo's SGIP program at no cost. The customer is responsible for any associated costs and service fees, and the work can only proceed after the SGIP incentive is paid and the project is finalized.
SGIP applications cannot be expedited because SGIP processes them on a first-come, first-served basis. Customers may call SGIP's general phone number listed on their website, but calls go to voicemail and responses typically take 2–3 weeks.