Continuously-updated news on solar industry lawsuits, settlements, regulatory enforcement, and consumer protection developments. Sources: federal court filings, CFPB enforcement orders, FTC actions, state AG announcements, and verified consumer reporting.
California Attorney General filed a new enforcement action targeting Sunrun and its third-party dealer network for systematic violations of California Civil Code §1689.5 (door-to-door contract rescission rights) and elder-financial-abuse statutes. Action follows years of dealer-network complaints in San Diego, Riverside, and Sacramento counties.
Department of Energy Office of Inspector General investigation into Sunnova's use of federal loan guarantee program in conjunction with reported dealer fraud has advanced from preliminary to civil referral stage. Investigators are now coordinating with DOJ Civil Division. Sunnova has declined to comment publicly.
A coalition of consumer advocacy law firms filed a multi-state class action targeting Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) loan administrators for predatory targeting of elderly, Spanish-speaking, and low-income homeowners with non-recourse property-tax-lien financing on solar systems. Action consolidates allegations from CA, FL, and MO.
Arizona family was awarded contract voidance plus damages after dealer rep represented system would "eliminate" their electric bill — actual savings under 10% with 4.5% annual PPA escalator. Sets precedent for similar AZ cases. Family is now organizing a broader cohort of Sunnova customers from same dealer territory.
Nationwide class action filed against Solar Mosaic LLC alleging the company concealed the true cost of solar systems by burying dealer fees of 18-25% into the financed amount without separate disclosure as required under Truth in Lending Act. Class period covers 2020-2024.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau consent order requires Solar Mosaic to refund $18M to affected borrowers and pay $4M civil penalty for deceptive practices including misrepresented payment amounts and undisclosed fees. Restitution checks began issuing in Q1 2025.
Massachusetts Attorney General settlement requiring ADT Solar to refund customers harmed by misrepresented solar tax credit values and improperly disclosed financing terms. Settlement also implements MA Solar Disclosure Rules across ADT Solar's MA operations.
Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated all federal GoodLeap solar-loan class actions into MDL 3168 in the Eastern District of California. Lead plaintiff structure being established. Discovery expected to begin Q1 2026.
SunPower Corporation filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Tens of thousands of SunPower leases and PPAs continue to be billed by successor entities holding the UCC-1 liens. Quiet-title actions have begun filing across multiple states by former SunPower customers seeking lien removal.
Confidential individual settlement after forensic examiner confirmed signature on solar PPA was traced or forged. Sunrun agreed to remove panels, void contract, and pay damages. Case establishes forensic-signature analysis as standard tool in solar consumer protection litigation.
Individual settlement on behalf of 82-year-old California homeowner with diagnosed cognitive decline sold a 25-year solar loan with $94,000 financed cost on a system valued at $34,000. Court voided contract and ordered $2.4M restitution. Establishes elder-financial-abuse pathway as primary recovery theory for senior homeowners.
Connecticut Attorney General settlement requiring GoodLeap to refund excess fees to 1,800+ Connecticut homeowners and adopt new dealer-fee disclosure standards. Restitution checks issued through escrow agent.
Texas Attorney General settlement with Vivint Solar (acquired by Sunrun) covering door-to-door sales abuses, false advertising of utility-rate increases, and contracts signed without statutory cooling-off period disclosures.
Federal Trade Commission enforcement action settled with a $98M consumer redress fund covering misrepresented savings claims and bait-and-switch tactics from third-party sales contractors operating under Sunrun's banner.
If your solar provider has been the subject of an enforcement action or settlement, you may already be eligible for inclusion in restitution — or able to file an individual claim alongside or after the class action. Run the Pre-Check to find out where you stand.