Retiree Frank Deni wanted to cut expenses at his California home in 2023 by installing solar panels. He chose SunPower Corp., one of the largest US solar companies, which offered a 25-year “complete confidence” warranty.
He paid $36,470. Six months after installation and inspections were completed, SunPower filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Deni, 76, contacted SunPower, the judge overseeing its bankruptcy, consumer protection agencies, and panel manufacturer Waaree for answers. Enphase Energy, Inc., the maker of microinverters used with the panels, said it will honor its warranty, but there’s no information about Waaree or SunPower’s SunVault battery.
“People are trying to help the environment and reduce energy costs, but once the deal is done, you’re forgotten,” Deni said. “If tomorrow the equipment doesn’t work, I don’t even know who to call.”
Thousands of homeowners are left without repair services or support for systems installed by solar companies that later went bankrupt. California alone has over 820,000 abandoned installations, according to Solar Insure data.
Many are stuck with leases for incomplete installations or systems that don’t function, according to interviews, letters to bankruptcy courts, and complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau.
Solar installers, heavily reliant on government subsidies and financing agreements, have struggled to stay afloat. In the past two years, rising interest rates, warranty obligations, and increased scrutiny have led to at least 10 solar bankruptcies.
This article was originally published by Bloomberg Law.
Angélica Serrano Román 