Austin-area homeowners among thousands across country having issues with bankrupt solar energy firm

[mahatmakanejeeves]

DEFENDERS

Austin-area homeowners among thousands across the country having issues with bankrupt solar energy provider

The KVUE Defenders found that for dozens of Texans, including residents in the Austin area, turning to solar power has only cost them more.

Author: Jenni Lee
Published: 9:09 AM CDT July 14, 2023
Updated: 10:18 PM CDT July 14, 2023

AUSTIN, Texas — Conservationists have long claimed going green will not only help save the environment, but help save customers money on their utility bills. ... But the KVUE Defenders found that for dozens of Texans, including residents in the Austin area, turning to solar power has only cost them much more.

The Defenders were told by some customers that they've been forced to keep paying for solar panels that don't work. Investigative reporter Jenni Lee visited homeowners to see the issues in person.

{snip}

{Bastrop homeowner Justin Small} and {southwest Austin residents} the Reyes family are among about 50 Texas consumers who have filed complaints against Pink Energy with the Texas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division. ... They join thousands of customers in nine other states – North Carolina, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Pennslyvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia – accusing Pink Energy of deceptive practices and leaving them without working solar installations.

As a result, attorneys general in those states have sent notices to five lenders – [link:As a result, attorneys general in those states have sent notices to five lenders – Dividend Solar Finance, Sunlight Financial, GoodLeap, Solar Mosaic and Cross River Bank – asking them to suspend loan payments. Those lenders include the three involved with Small and the Reyes family.|Dividend Solar Finance], Sunlight Financial, GoodLeap, Solar Mosaic and Cross River Bank – asking them to suspend loan payments. Those lenders include the three involved with Small and the Reyes family.

{snip}

If you live in Austin and are considering solar power, Austin Energy has a list of approved providers.

Jenni Lee on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

KVUE on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

[jimfields33]

1. It's probably a good idea but to save money is not it

My neighbor is getting a new roof. She has to pay a company to take off the solar panels and put them back on once the roof is replaced. Hidden costs they don’t tell you. The cost is at least five grand.

[TeamProg]

3. Your neighbor might have received a tax deduction when purchased

back in the day.

Otherwise, if a more recent installation then a little forward thinking re: roof is required.

Over a 15 year period, panels should save a home owner money.

[jimfields33]

4. She did get the credits. But you still have to front the money

I’m not sure if she can write off the 5 grand though for this new charge.

[Javaman]

5. we replaced our roof prior to our panels.

we have had our panels now for 13 years.

we have someone come by yearly to check our roof.

he suggested to wait for hail damage before replacing the roof in the future.

then the cost of the removal and reinstall of the panels is covered.

[jimfields33]

6. Her roof is twenty years old. I believe she got the panels around 11.

[LiberalFighter]

2. I think Pink Energy came to my house in Indiana.

Glad I said no.

[Shipwack]

7. I'm in the Austin areas (Elgin) and just got solar.

Now I’m worried a bit. No complaints so far, and I didn’t go through Pink, but I want to know if my contractor was on the approved list.

Unfortunately, the link above doesn’t go to the right place. I’m leaving this here to book mark for later.