One year ago, Cynthia and Ron Pederson of Mound City, Mo., were embarking on a new adventure as solar pioneers. They invested more than $30,000 from loans and savings to switch to solar power for their home.

The house would collect enough energy to be independent, they say they were told by the installer.

But their dreams of being energy-independent were short lived. Instead, the couple has gone through months of turmoil after discovering their solar panels were not installed properly or with the approval of their electric company, the Atchison-Holt Co-op. The Pedersons had to hire another company, the Energy Savings Store in Kansas City, to fix the system. And then they learned that even with the panels correctly installed, they would never “zero out” their electric bill, as they say they were promised. At best, they have had a 48 percent reduction of their electricity during the summer, 24 percent in the winter and must still use propane for heat.

They filed complaints with the Missouri Attorney General’s office and the Better Business Bureau, but to date, there has been no retribution. Their only recourse now, Mrs. Pederson says, is to consult an attorney, as has a Kansas City couple who had similar problems with the company and are currently in ligation.

“Unfortunately, it’s very common for unscrupulous businesses to make all kinds of outlandish claims based on what’s popular at the time,” says Travis Ford, spokesperson for Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster. “Companies that perform that service should do what they say they are going to do, but people need to take precautions.”

Ms. Pederson says she wishes they had taken more. Here are some things to do before giving away your green to go green:

GET A HOME AUDIT

Before considering solar or wind energy solutions, you should get an independent energy audit of your home, says Bob Solger, owner of The Energy Savings Store. An energy auditor will tell you what you can do to make your home more energy efficient. Check with your electric company for recommended companies. Mr. Solger says this company should be your advocate — not the same company that would sell you the products.

CHECK OUT THE COMPANY

“If you deal with a company that’s not licensed, you do it at your own risk,” says Kim Moore, the director of arbitration for the Greater Kansas City Business Bureau.

All businesses in Missouri are required to be registered with the secretary of state. And they should have a business license that can be verified at City Hall, Ms. Moore says. Check references and check with the Better Business Bureau and the Missouri Attorney General’s office to see if there have been any complaints registered. Ms. Moore suggests angieslist.com as another option for getting unbiased opinions on contractors.

HAVE YOU HAD TRAINING?

In the Pederson’s case, Mr.Solger says one of the big problems they discovered was in the installation of the system. “It wasn’t put in according to the national electric code. We’ve seen this with wind turbines as well.”

Ask about their professional accreditation, he says. Have they had training?

“There are a number of electric contractors who are getting in the business,” he says. “But the trend in the wind industry is that if you are an installer or re-staller, you have to come to training and be certified by the manufacturer. If it’s a non-certified installer, the warranty will not be covered.”

ARE THEY COVERED?

Don’t forget to check for insurance, worker’s compensation and auto insurance. If a worker gets hurt on your property and he’s not covered by insurance, Mr. Solger says, that may put you at risk. If you have doubts on coverage, check with the insurance commissioner, Ms. Moore says.

PAY ONLY WHEN IT’S DONE

“Almost 100 percent of the complaints we get in the office involve people paying in advance for things they haven’t received,” Mr. Ford says.

Don’t pay for promises, only for work when it’s done. If a company insists on a down payment, he says to pay no more than 25 percent up front, otherwise you are asking for trouble.

TOO LATE

If it’s too late for precautions and you think you’ve been had, file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and the Missouri Attorney General’s office. Ms. Moore says you also might try Problem Solvers (866) 369-4669 or Call for Action (816) 932-4321 or seek legal advice from the Missouri Bar Association.

Lifestyles reporter Sylvia Anderson can be reached at sylviaanderson@npgco.com