Solar Photovoltaic Power Generation Fraud

Does rooftop solar have a fraud problem?

Rooftop solar has a fraud problem. The industry is working to build back trust A crew installs a solar array on the roof of a home in Frankfort, Ky., in 2023. PHILADELPHIA — The solar power industry is booming and that growth helps the world meet its climate goals by replacing fossil fuels.

Are people deceived by solar financing companies?

We don't want people deceived, though,” says Adam Welle, a lawyer with the Minnesota Attorney General's Office who is pursuing a case against solar financing companies. Beyond the industry’s reputation, real people – many of them already financially vulnerable – have been hurt.

Are solar panels a scam?

Here’s how to steer clear of the scams: Do some research. Avoid solar companies that say a government program will cover the whole cost of solar panels — or say they’re from (or affiliated with) the government. These are lies. If you’re looking at solar energy for your home, get quotes from reputable providers with a valid license.

Was DC Solar a scam?

It was the largest criminal fraud scheme in the history of the district, which includes Sacramento and Fresno. According to prosecutors, from 2011 to 2018, DC Solar manufactured mobile solar generator units and, because they used solar energy, buyers could obtain federal tax credits. The reality was much different, authorities say.

Why is Minnesota suing a solar loan company?

Minnesota is suing firms who finance solar power systems for homes. The case alleges that four lending companies deceived customers with hidden, upfront fees in exchange for lower interest rates. “It's misleading people about the price of the system and misleading people about the price of financing,” says Assistant Attorney General Welle.

Would DC Solar defraud new buyers?

DC Solar wouldn’t just defraud new buyers to pay earlier ones. By holding itself out as a legitimate solar company, it would give all of them—new and old—cover to drain millions of dollars of tax credits from the U.S. Treasury. The American taxpayer, that is, would subsidize the scam.