Has Your Solar Company Been Sued? How to Find Out

## Why Lawsuits Matter More Than Reviews Online reviews can be gamed. BBB ratings can be maintained with template responses. But lawsuits and enforcement actions are public record, and they tell a story that companies can't control. When a state attorney general sues a solar company, when the FTC takes action, or when a class-action lawsuit is filed, it means the problems have reached a level where legal authorities have determined intervention is necessary. Here's how to find out if your solar company — or one you're considering — has been sued. ## Step 1: Search Your State Attorney General's Website Every state AG's office maintains a database of enforcement actions, consumer alerts, and press releases. This is your most important first stop. **How to search:** 1. Go to your state AG's website (search "[your state] attorney general") 2. Look for sections labeled "Consumer Protection," "Press Releases," or "Enforcement Actions" 3. Search for the company name — try both current and former names 4. Check for consumer alerts or advisories mentioning solar companies **What you're looking for:** Lawsuits filed by the AG, consent decrees (settlement agreements), cease-and-desist orders, and consumer alerts. **Notable solar AG actions:** - New Jersey AG sued Momentum Solar for Consumer Fraud Act violations - North Carolina AG investigated Pink Energy for defective installations - Connecticut AG issued cease-and-desist orders for misleading solar savings claims ## Step 2: Search Federal Court Records (PACER) For federal lawsuits, PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) is the official database. **How to search:** 1. Go to pacer.uscourts.gov 2. Create a free account (you get $30 in free searches quarterly) 3. Use the PACER Case Locator to search by party name 4. Look for both the company name and the parent company name **What you're looking for:** Class-action lawsuits, FTC enforcement actions, SEC filings (for publicly traded companies), and bankruptcy petitions. ## Step 3: Check the CFPB Enforcement Database The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau maintains a public database of enforcement actions against financial companies, including solar lenders. **How to search:** 1. Go to consumerfinance.gov/enforcement/actions 2. Search for the company name 3. Review any consent orders or enforcement actions **What you're looking for:** CFPB enforcement actions typically involve deceptive lending practices, hidden fees, or unfair collection practices. ## Step 4: Search State Court Records State-level lawsuits often contain the most actionable information for individual consumers. Each state has its own court record system. **How to search:** 1. Search "[your state] court case search" or "[your county] court records" 2. Search by the company name as a party 3. Look at both civil and small claims cases 4. Check the case types — consumer protection, breach of contract, fraud **What you're looking for:** Individual consumer lawsuits, contractor licensing actions, and breach of warranty claims. ## Step 5: Check the FTC's Enforcement Database The Federal Trade Commission maintains records of all enforcement actions on its website. **How to search:** 1. Go to ftc.gov/enforcement/cases-proceedings 2. Search by company name 3. Review any complaints, consent orders, or final orders ## Step 6: Search Your State's Contractor Licensing Board Contractor licensing boards track complaints, disciplinary actions, and license revocations. **How to search:** 1. Search "[your state] contractor license lookup" 2. Enter the company's contractor license number (it should be in your contract) 3. Check for any disciplinary history, complaints, or licensing issues ## What to Do With What You Find ### If you find lawsuits BEFORE signing: This is valuable information. Consider it alongside other research, but recognize that a company with multiple AG actions or class-action lawsuits represents significantly higher risk. ### If you find lawsuits AFTER signing: Don't panic, but do act. The existence of lawsuits may strengthen your position if you're seeking contract cancellation or dispute resolution. Specifically: - **Class actions:** Check if you're an eligible class member - **AG actions:** Contact your state AG's consumer protection office - **Bankruptcy filings:** Check the bankruptcy court for consumer protection provisions ## Companies With Notable Legal History Several major solar companies have significant legal histories that consumers should be aware of: - **Pink Energy:** Multi-state AG investigations, class actions, company collapsed - **Momentum Solar:** NJ AG lawsuit for deceptive practices - **SunPower:** SEC investigation, Chapter 11 bankruptcy - **Sunlight Financial:** Bankruptcy, CFPB monitoring of loan transfers - **GoodLeap:** CFPB investigation into dealer fee practices ## Need Help Understanding What You've Found? Interpreting legal records and understanding how they apply to your specific situation can be complex. [Get a free, no-obligation contract review at BreakYourSolarContract.com](https://breakyoursolarcontract.com) to have an expert assess your situation based on the specific legal landscape affecting your solar company.