Dimming the Benefits of Residential Solar in Texas

How Harmful Market Practices are Undermining the Potential of Residential Rooftop Solar

Cover of solar panel report, Dimming the Benefits of Residential Solar in Texas
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The power generated from rooftop solar has the potential to benefit the Texas grid and family budgets, particularly with hotter summers and an increasing incidence of power outages. Amid positive consumer experiences, there has been a sharp uptick in solar panel-related frauds, scams, and consumer harms. The result is that many Texans are left feeling cheated and find themselves in worse financial shape because of their experience with solar panel door-to-door sales, lenders, contractors, and companies.

This report details problems and features complaints submitted to the Texas Office of the Attorney General and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

We recommend that Texas lawmakers adopt expanded consumer protections that address the fraudulent and harmful practices identified by this study. New protections are necessary in order to ensure accountability for bad actors and encourage a fair market.

Report Authors

  • Ann Baddour, Director, Fair Financial Services Project
    Texas Appleseed

Select Top Findings For This Report

  • The number of consumer complaints related to solar panels that were submitted to the Office of the Texas Attorney General and to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation skyrocketed from 2018 to 2023, increasing by 818% and 576% respectively.
  • Residents in 141 of the 254 Texas counties submitted solar panel-related complaints to the Office of the Texas Attorney General, indicating that problematic practices are wide-spread.
  • Among the complaints submitted by Texans, 45% noted problems with false or misleading statements, and 37% mentioned unsatisfactory service.
  • Many of the harmful practices targeted older Texans and people who are not native English speakers, and included misleading statements that there would be no electric bills after installation of the panels, false promises of government tax credits, and forgeries of signatures or other deceptive practices used to execute financing contracts.