Project Stalled? A Guide for Customers of American Power Company

Are you an American Power Company client? Ever get excited about a major home project, only to find yourself stuck in a frustrating cycle of missed deadlines and unanswered calls? …What about when that project is the brand-new solar panel system for your home?

If you’re a customer of American Power Company, you might be living this exact situation right now. Sold on the promise of a smooth, professional installation… But nou now see your project stalled, leaving you with a lot of questions and very few answers. 🙂

When communication breaks down and your investment is in limbo, it’s easy to feel anxious and powerless.

My hope and thought is that you can find a clear path forward through this uncertainty. And you definitely don’t have to just sit back and hope that things will get better on their own.

The contract you signed was a promise of a completed project in a reasonable timeframe. Just because the company remains unresponsive doesn’t mean that promise is broken—it just means you need to be proactive to enforce it.

Ready to learn the strategic steps you can take to protect your investment and get your project moving? This post will (hopefully) walk you through everything you need to know, from identifying the warning signs to understanding your legal rights. Let’s start!

Looking for more solar installer statuses? View our comprehensive list here.

About American Power Company

American Power is a solar installation company that has operated in Texas and other states. They entered a competitive market with promises of delivering quality residential solar systems to homeowners. Like many solar companies, their business model involves sales, project management, and installation, all handled under one roof. However, recent customer experiences suggest the company may be facing significant operational challenges.

Reviews of the Company: A Pattern of Red Flags

A quick look at public-facing review platforms like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) reveals a troubling and consistent pattern of complaints from American Power Company customers. This isn’t about one or two unhappy clients; it’s a series of recurring issues that point to deeper problems.

The most common red flags reported by customers include:

• Extreme Delays: Many homeowners describe projects that remain severely stalled, often stretching for many months and sometimes over a year with little progress after signing the initial contract and paying the deposit.
• Communication Breakdown: A primary complaint is the near-total lack of communication. Customers report that their project managers remain unreachable, calls and emails go unanswered for weeks, and they receive vague, non-committal answers when they do manage to speak with someone.
• The Blame Game: When communication does happen, customers often report that the company shifts blame for delays to local utility companies, city permitting offices, or supply chain issues, often without providing any documentation to support these claims.

When you see the same story told by multiple customers in multiple locations, it’s no longer an isolated incident—it’s a clear warning sign about the company’s stability.

What is Going Wrong?

While every project can face delays, the pattern of issues at American Power Company points to significant internal distress. A healthy company communicates proactively, takes ownership of its projects, and has clear timelines. The widespread communication failures and extended, unexplained delays are often symptoms of a company struggling with cash flow, staffing, or other operational crises.

For you as a customer, this means your project is at high risk of being abandoned, leaving you with an unfinished system and a significant financial loss.

Is American Power Company Still in Business?

This is the critical question. While the company may still be technically “in business” and answering some calls, the customer experiences described above are classic signs of a company that is operationally failing. Companies in this stage often stop taking on new projects and struggle to service their existing ones before eventually shutting down completely.

It is crucial for current customers to operate under the assumption that the company is at risk of going out of business and to take immediate steps to protect themselves.

What About Your Warranty?

Your solar contract includes two essential warranties that become critical if your installer disappears.

1. Workmanship Warranty: This is provided by American Power Company and covers the quality of the installation labor—things like roof penetrations, wiring, and racking. If American Power goes out of business, this warranty becomes worthless, as there will be no one left to honor it.
2. Manufacturer’s Warranty: This covers the physical equipment itself (your solar panels and inverters). This warranty is provided by the manufacturer (e.g., Enphase, Qcells) and remains valid even if your installer goes out of business. You would file a claim directly with the manufacturer for any defective parts.

The FTC Holder Rule: Your Most Powerful Protection

If you financed your solar system, this next part is the most important information in this entire article. You are protected by a federal law called the FTC Holder Rule.

So…what is the Holder Rule?

This law states that the finance company that holds your loan is subject to the same legal claims and defenses you could have asserted against the seller. In simple terms, if American Power Company has breached its contract with you, by failing to install your system in a timely manner or by being unable to honor your warranty, you can hold the lender that provided your loan legally responsible for that breach.

This means you may be able to:

• Bring a legal action directly against the finance company.
• Stop making payments on a loan for a project that has been abandoned.
• Seek to have your loan completely canceled and recover payments you’ve already made.

The Holder Rule is your safety net. It ensures you are not left paying for a company’s failure.

Legal Actions to Take if Your Solar Panels Aren’t Working (Or Aren’t Installed)

If your project is stalled and the company is unresponsive, you need to move from being a hopeful customer to being a savvy project manager.

1. Move All Communication to Writing. This is non-negotiable. Stop calling and start emailing. If you do have a phone call, immediately send a follow-up email summarizing the conversation: “Just to recap our call, you confirmed X will be done by Y date.” This creates a factual, time-stamped paper trail, which is your most important asset.
2. Send a Formal Demand for a Plan. Draft a firm, professional email that outlines the history of missed deadlines. Then, state your demand clearly: “I require a detailed plan of action with firm dates for the remaining project milestones within five business days.”
3. Read Your Contract. Find the sections on project timelines, company obligations, and, most importantly, the cancellation and refund policy. Knowing your contractual rights is critical.
4. Notify Your Lender. Send a formal letter or email to your finance company. Inform them that American Power Company is in breach of contract due to non-performance. State that you are asserting your rights under the FTC Holder Rule. This officially puts them on notice.
5. Consult with an Experienced Attorney. When an installer is failing, the situation can become complex quickly. An attorney with experience in handling solar panel lawsuits can review your contract and your specific situation, and advise you on the most effective legal strategy, which often involves taking action against the lender.

Frequently Ask Questions (FAQs)

How long is “too long” to wait for an installation?

While timelines vary, a typical residential solar project should be completed in three to six months. If you are approaching the one-year mark with no significant progress (like permits issued or panels installed), your project is severely stalled and you should take action.

The company keeps blaming the utility. How do I know if that’s true?

Ask the installer for written proof of their submissions to the utility. If they can’t provide it, that’s a red flag. You can also call the utility’s solar department yourself and ask if they have an active application from the installer on your behalf.

Can I cancel my contract and get my deposit back?

This depends on your contract’s terms. However, if the company has failed to meet its own contractual obligations (a “breach of contract”), you may have a strong case for cancellation and a full refund.

I have a loan, but the system isn’t installed. Should I stop making payments?

You should never stop making loan payments without first seeking legal counsel. Your loan is a separate contract, and non-payment can harm your credit. An experienced attorney can advise you on how to properly address the loan using the Holder Rule.

What is the difference between a BBB complaint and a legal claim?

A BBB complaint can create public pressure but has no legal authority. A legal claim is a formal action to enforce your contractual rights and seek financial damages or other remedies through the legal system.

References

• American Power | Better Business Bureau® Profile. bbb.org.
• Consumer Protection | Office of the Attorney General. texasattorneygeneral.gov.
• What Is the Holder Rule and How Does It Protect Consumers? – Prevost Law Firm. prevostlawfirm.com.