Lots of Solar Companies in Indiana have been building up complaints

 After more than three years of work we have finally been getting cases pushed through to conclusion helping Indiana customers of Power Home Solar/Pink Energy get out of fraudulent contracts, and out of oppressive loans.  While we have been getting results that matched our expectations, the process was longer and harder than we initially anticipated. Like most things though, the more you do it, the easier it becomes.  

We wanted to get a big picture of all the solar companies that were building up complaints in Indiana, so we did an Open Records Act request to the Indiana attorney general's office.  Keep in mind most people ripped off by companies of every type don't file formal complaints, and some formal complaints aren't meritorious, but looking at the list of solar complaints is still instructive.  

The Attorney General's office identified 73 solar complaints from 1/1/2019 until early January 2026.  Of those 30 involved Power Home Solar aka Pink Energy.  This was by far the largest share.  Number 2 was Modern Mill Solar with 7 complaints. Universal Solar Direct of Indiana had 5 complaints. Blue Raven Solar, Solar Mosaic, Next Level Solar, and Sun Power Solar all had 3 complaints. Nationwide Solar Installer Services LLC had 2 complaints and Suns OUt Solar Inc. had 2. There were a host of other providers with one complaint.  

So here is the rundown

Number 1 with a Bullet - the Runaway Complaint Leader with 30 complaints

Power Home Solar Inc. (aka Pink Energy

Number 2 - 7 Complaints

Modern Mill Solar

Number 3- 3 Complaints (tie) 

Blue Raven Solar

Solar Mosaic

Sun Power Solar

Next Level Solar USA

2 Complaints

Nationwide Solar Installer Services LLC

Suns Out Solar Inc.

Companies with 1 complaint:  Better than average?  

American Dream Solar and Window Inc. 

Sun Warrior

Shine On Solar LLC

Pro Terra Solar

Hightec Solar Inc.

Ohio Valley Solar

Posey Solar Inc.

Note that we also received from the Attorney General a separate list that was separated from the results above. I believe it was from a separate search on different criteria. My guess it included complaints that were not specifically linked to Solar contracts. It included complaints against

Go Green Education

G.E. Security

US. Solar Solutions

SOlar Energy/Solar Exxpress

Security Inc.

Home Solar

Blue Raven Solar

Renew solar - 5 complaints

Solar Strategies

Pro American Solar

Solar Energy

These complaints against Blue Raven and Renew Solar suggests that maybe these companies should have been higher in the master list.  

Some big companies are notably absent from this list: Sunrun and Sunnova.   This doesn't include solar lenders like GoodLeap (LoanPal), Sunlight Financial, Solar Mosaic, Dividend Finance, Technology Credit Union and Cross River Bank.  As a practical matter solar claims often have to be raised against the lenders. 

If you are looking for an Indiana attorney to help you with a problem relating to a residential solar system contract, I urge you to contact us at Hofer Hagan LLP.  As far as we can tell, we are the only law firm in Indiana that is actively representing consumers in solar contracts in an organized way.  Call us at (317) 349-0887 or fill out an inquiry at our website here.  https://www.hoferhagan.com/solar-energy-lawyer/

Coalition of State Attorneys General Call for Pink Energy's Lenders to Suspend Payment Obligations

 I am quite frankly amazed that the attorneys general in the 9 most afflicted states have gotten together and presented a common front, not just against Pink Energy - but against the lenders, practically demanding them to suspend payments.  From my point of view, it's the right thing to do - I've just never seen it happen before. I've seen tons of fraudulent operations where the fraudster works arm in arm with the lender, but the attorneys general won't do anything to upset the big money behind the lenders. 

Anyway - I'm treating this as a really good sign.  We are reassessing our strategy from scratch in light of this announcement.  

https://www.wsmv.com/2022/11/22/tenn-ky-ags-seek-help-customers-pink-energy/?outputType=amp

Prisoner's Dilemma and Debt Negotiation

 I love having a partner (Keith Hagan) who an expert in game theory.  We have business clients (multiple) who are just mired in debt to multiple creditors, any one of which can shut them down to the point where they can't pay any of them.  My partner uses the Prisoner's Dilemma scenario to keep the creditors at bay. To overly simplify, the knowledge of each of the players is the key to the outcomes on the prisoner's dilemma scenario.  Keith takes this very academic theory and finds ways to apply it in real life.  It is amazing to watch him work sometimes.  

Prisoner's Dilemma

Indiana Law Firm Hofer Hagan LLP is beginning work on Pink Energy / PowerHome Solar cases

 We are in the early stage of working up a number of  Pink Energy solar panel installation cases.  The deeper I get into it, the more that I see that it is a major project involving a lot of challenges.  I can see why a lot of lawyers want nothing to do with these cases. The company that created the mess, Pink Energy, is bankrupt. The potential clients didn't pay a lot up front, probably don't have a lot of money to spend on a lawyer, but are on the hook for a big loan to a mean old finance company.  The actual subject matter of the contracts is very technical and complex. Just figuring out, explaining and proving the defects is challenging.  

What we have going for us that a lot of lawyers don't is experience in using the FTC Holder Rule against lenders in consumer cases.  Pursuing claims against these lenders could yield very good results and has the potential to protect the clients against having to pay for nonfunctional systems for years to come.  

By the way, here's a good story from CBS4 about the problems of Pink Energy customers in Indiana. 

https://cbs4indy.com/cbs4-investigates/dozens-of-customers-heated-after-installing-solar-panels/

Hyundai is jumping the shark over its response to the auto theft scandal

 Hyundai has been under intensive heat after youtube posts showed how easy it is to steal certain Hyundai models. After a shocking delay, Hyundai announced a solution - an antitheft kit that can be purchased from and installed by dealers - for about $750.00.  As this article points out, an owner might be able to get an equivalent fix outside the Hyundai network for half that amount.  

I suspect that the class action lawyers are going to prevail on this and Hyundai will eventually be sending checks for $750 to affected owners, but that might be years from now.  Meanwhile, Hyundai is losing customers because they deserve to.  

I don't have and don't want cases involving defective Hyundai.  This is just a comment from an outsider looking in.  

The Fall of Pink Energy (also known as Power Home Solar): Don't let the lenders pull one over on you.

 Two years ago, Pink Energy, formerly known as Power Home Solar, was riding high. It was one of the leading companies in home solar installations and a two billion dollar valuation. This week, the company announced that it was shutting down operations and laying off the remainder of its 2,100 employees.

The company had built up a backlog of discontented customers relating to systems that weren't completed or were not working. Pink Energy blamed most of the problems on suppler Generac, but really that doesn't help any of the property owners stuck with problematic Pink Energy systems.  

I have been trying to find out more information about the finance companies used by Pink Energy.  Consumers who did not get what they were promised may have a full or partial defense against payment to the lenders if Pink Energy referred them to the lenders.  Lenders that I am looking at include Sunshine Financial and Technology Credit Union, but there may be many more. 

IF you have a Pink Energy system AND YOU LIVE IN INDIANA, please call me at 317-662-4529.  If you live in another state, go to www.consumeradvocates.org/find-a-lawyer and find a NACA lawyer in your state to talk to.  I can't return calls and emails from people not located in Indiana.  https://www.wral.com/hours-after-5-on-your-side-report-solar-company-goes-out-of-business/20487543/

Broadening our Horizons in Floorplan Defense - Kinetic Advantage, Carbucks, XL Funding, Backlot Cars

 Keith Hagan and I have represented hundreds of clients, defending them in lawsuits brought By Nextgear Capital and Automotive Finance Corporation, but in recent months, we have worked cases involving other floorplan lenders as well, Kinetic Advantage, XL Funding, Backlot Cars, and fielded questions regarding Carbucks.  If you have issues regarding any of these lenders, call Steve Hofer at 317-662-4529 or Keith Hagan a 317-531-4575.