Solar company ordered to pay $5M in Connecticut lawsuit, but won’t be able to

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — A Hartford Superior Court judge has ruled that a solar company must pay $5 million as part of a lawsuit brought about by Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, but the business will likely never pay it.

Vision Solar was accused of violating the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act, among other state laws, by pressuring customers into loans for solar panels, according to Tong. The company sometimes never activated the panels, or finished work without getting the proper permits that allow the systems to be connected to the grid.

However, since Vision Solar has filed for bankruptcy and isn’t trying to organize, Tong said the company won’t have the money to pay.

“Vision Solar’s predatory business practices were some of the worst we have seen,” Tong said in a written announcement. “We were looking forward to taking this case all the way to trial. While Vision collapsed before that could happen, today’s judgment sends a clear warning to any remaining solar businesses engaging in this type of abusive, deceptive conduct. We continue to receive complaints regarding numerous solar companies, and our suit against SunRun and its related businesses remains pending. We’re going to keep fighting for Connecticut consumers to ensure honest, fair practices across the solar industry.”

If the bankruptcy is finalized, Vision Solar customers who are owed money or services can submit a proof of claim to bankruptcy court to get up to $25,000 from the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection’s home improvement guaranty fund.

News 8 attempted to reach out to Vision Solar for comment, but the company no longer has a working email address.

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