Lawyer for Suing a Solar Company

As of late 2023, 16.5% of Texans who signed a solar panel contract either lost their agreement or saw their solar company suspend services.

This alarming issue with solar panel installations is not limited to Texas. Across the U.S., state offices, including the Office of the Attorney General, are investigating. They taking legal action against solar energy providers for deceptive sales practices, improper installation, and breach of contract actions. 

Misleading Information, Damages, Pressured Sales

In Texas, consumers filed numerous complaints with the Office of the Attorney General and the Better Business Bureau. They accuse the companies of misleading them about installation timelines, energy bill savings, and the overall performance of their solar energy systems.

If you’ve experienced roof leaks, water damage, unexpectedly high energy bills, or felt pressured into signing solar leases or power purchase agreements without fully understanding the fine print, you’re not alone.

These are all common complaints from homeowners and business owners alike. Many of whom fall victim to high-pressure sales tactics and deceptive marketing tactics from unscrupulous companies.

Good News: There are Legal Remedies

The good news? You may have legal remedies, from arbitration clauses to civil court like the . Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA) , the FTC Holder Rule and Truth in Lending Act (TILA) exist to protect consumers from solar fraud and provide a pathway to recover damages. That includes attorney’s fees and potentially even punitive damages. 

Seeking legal advice early can reduce your financial burden and clarify your legal grounds.

In this guide, we’ll break down how to sue a solar company, what kind of law firms or business litigation attorneys to consult, and the steps to take before moving forward. We’ll also offer a free consultation to help you understand your options. 

With decades of legal experience and thousands of solar-related cases handled across the U.S. in less than a year, you can trust that you’re not alone in seeking justice and a fair resolution with Prevost Law Firm.

Understand Your Legal Rights as a Homeowner

As a homeowner with solar panels, understanding your legal rights provides the foundation for any potential legal action against a solar company. Twenty-five states, including Texas, have passed solar access laws that protect homeowners’ right to install solar. These laws serve as your first line of defense when problems arise.

Solar consumers are protected by multiple layers of federal and state law. Agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have taken action against deceptive marketing and predatory lending practices in the solar industry. These protections are especially important for homeowners who were misled about the cost, performance, or financing terms of their solar systems.

One key protection is the Holder Rule, a federal regulation that allows consumers to bring claims against a lender if a product or service purchased with financing turns out to be defective or misrepresented. This means that even if the solar installer has gone out of business or filed for bankruptcy, you may still have a legal path forward by pursuing action against the lender. Understanding these rights is essential if you’re considering legal action for unresolved solar issues.

Potential Legal Claims

When considering hiring a lawyer for suing a solar company, understanding the potential legal claims is crucial. These typically include:

• Breach of Contract: When companies fail to deliver on the agreed terms, such as installation timelines, system performance, or financing arrangements.
• Fraudulent Misrepresentation: If the company made false claims during the sales process (e.g., overstating savings, misleading about tax credits, or claiming system ownership when it’s a lease).
• Deceptive Trade Practices: Under consumer protection laws (like the Texas DTPA), when companies use misleading, false, or unfair practices to close a sale.
• Property Damage: Due to poor installation leading to roof leaks, electrical issues, or structural problems.
• Negligence: When the company fails to meet standard installation or service practices, resulting in damage or danger.
• Unjust Enrichment: If the company received payment or financing disbursement without delivering the promised system or services.
• Warranty Violations: When companies fail to honor promised service or equipment warranties, or mislead clients into buying third-party warranties with limited coverage.
• Improper Financing Practices: Including failure to disclose loan terms, enrolling homeowners in financing without consent, or pressuring customers into loans under false pretenses.

Signs You May Have a Case Against a Solar Company

Recognizing deceptive practices is crucial when determining if you need a lawyer for suing a solar company. Consumer complaints to federal agencies about solar panel issues have increased by 746% from 2018 to 2023. Let me share the warning signs that indicate you may have a legal case.

Financial misrepresentations often appear as hidden markup fees. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found that some lenders build fees into loans that increase costs by 30% or more above the cash price. Moreover, these “dealer fees” can reach 40% when financing a system.

Beware of tax credit misrepresentations. Many salespeople promote the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit while presenting loan principals as a “net cost” that assumes you’ll receive this credit. Consequently, if you don’t qualify, you could face substantially higher monthly payments.

Watch for these common signs according to consumer complaint data:

• False promises about bill elimination: Claims that solar will completely eliminate your utility bills
• Ballooning payments: Unexpected payment increases if tax credits don’t materialize
• Aggressive sales tactics: Door-to-door salespeople insisting on same-day decisions or using scare tactics about rising energy costs
• Forged documents: Customers reporting signatures were forged without their knowledge

Nonetheless, physical evidence problems can also justify seeking a lawyer for suing a solar company. Many homeowners report installations that never pass inspection or connect to the utility, underperforming systems that don’t generate promised output, and unrepaired roof damage.

Therefore, if you’ve experienced poor workmanship, notice your system isn’t producing as promised, or discover your contract contains hidden terms, these are all grounds for potential legal action. Meanwhile, difficulty getting customer service after installation or discovering you’ve been sold a system by an unlicensed contractor are additional reasons to consult with a skilled attorney like Prevost Law Firm.

How to Take Legal Action Against a Solar Company

If you’re dealing with a faulty solar panel system, deceptive sales practices, roof leaks, or sky-high energy bills after signing a solar contract, it’s time to consider legal action.

Prevost Law Firm is here to help.

We are the skilled legal team for solar panel lawsuits, with extensive experience and thousands of solar-related cases across the U.S., including many right here in Texas. 

Whether you’re facing a breach of contract, misrepresentation, improper installation, or ongoing issues with your utility company or solar financing provider, we know how to help. 

We make it easy to get started.

Step 1: Get a Free Legal Consultation

Start with a free consultation from our experienced legal team. We’ll review your solar panel contract, analyze the legal grounds of your situation, and advise you on next steps. No commitment required. Many clients come to us with basic legal questions, unclear contract terms, or frustration after trying to resolve issues on their own. If you’re unsure whether you have a case, let us give you a second opinion based on real legal analysis.

Step 2: We Handle the Heavy Lifting

Once we’ve reviewed your case, our attorneys take over the legal process for you. From communicating with solar providers and finance companies, to preparing a civil case or navigating arbitration clauses buried in the fine print. We gather evidence, assess potential damages (including property damage like roof leaks or water intrusion), and pursue financial compensation for clients who’ve been misled or harmed by solar panel installers and companies.

We’re not just familiar with the laws. We’ve helped shape the fight for Texas homeowners dealing with solar fraud, deceptive marketing tactics, and improperly executed solar panel installations. We know how to leverage consumer protection laws like the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA) to pursue justice, recover attorney’s fees.

Step 3: Let Our Experience Work for You

Our attorneys help with legal remedies available to consumers who’ve been taken advantage of. We’ve worked with clients who:

• Lost their warranty due to installers going out of business
• Were misled about tax incentives or monthly energy savings
• Discovered ballooning electric bills despite their solar investment
• Suffered roof damage due to improper solar panel installation
• Found out their solar contract was with a different provider than the installer
• Had installations that failed city inspections or never connected to the utility grid

If any of this sounds familiar, Prevost Law Firm is ready to take action. We know what to look for, how to prove your case, and what it takes to win.

Don’t Wait. Protect Your Rights Today

The sooner you act, the stronger your case. We’ve helped clients sue solar companies for breach of contract, deceptive trade practices, and outright solar fraud. We can help you too. If you’ve been a victim of solar panel fraud or are overwhelmed by the financial burden caused by a bad installation or shady financing, contact us today.

At Prevost Law Firm, we make the legal process simple, clear, and actionable. The process starts with a free consultation and honest guidance about your options.

You don’t have to navigate this alone. Let our legal team handle the fight, so you can focus on moving forward.

Conclusion

Navigating legal action against a solar company certainly requires preparation and persistence. Throughout this guide, we’ve covered essential information to protect your investment and rights as a homeowner. Knowledge of consumer protection laws, particularly state-specific provisions like the Texas DTPA, empowers you to stand against deceptive practices.

Important Reminders

Remember, documentation stands as your strongest ally when building your case. Photos of faulty installations, records of promised performance versus actual output, and all correspondence with the company create a compelling evidence trail. These materials significantly strengthen your position whether you pursue direct resolution or legal action.

Additionally, timing matters greatly in these situations. Quick action not only preserves evidence but also maintains your legal standing within applicable statutes of limitations. Many homeowners hesitate to pursue claims, yet those who act decisively often achieve more favorable outcomes.

Finally, selecting the right attorney makes a substantial difference in solar dispute cases. An experienced consumer protection lawyer familiar with solar industry practices will guide you through complex legal terrain while maximizing your chances of success. You deserve proper compensation for misrepresentation, poor workmanship, or contract violations.

Though the process may seem daunting, you now possess the knowledge needed to protect your solar investment. Armed with information about your rights, warning signs of deceptive practices, and steps for legal recourse, you can confidently address problems with your solar installation and hold companies accountable for their promises.

Get a no-cost case review to get started today.