WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — An investigation has led to a default judgment in opposition to a solar energy gross sales and set up firm. Sedgwick District Attorney Marc Bennett stated Design 1 Group LLC engaged in “reckless and misleading practices and practices.”
The firm, primarily based in Tennessee, works in 17 states, together with Kansas. Bennett stated some Wichita-area clients complained, and the District Attorney’s Consumer Protection Division bought concerned.
According to the DA, investigators say Design 1 Group LLC violated the Kansas Consumer Protect Act by:
- Contracting for companies and not using a license,
- Making false representations relating to the issuance of permits,
- Make false representations relating to the coordination and scheduling of inspections,
- Make false representations about rebates,
- Improper set up of photo voltaic methods by customers,
- Failure to put in the right gear required by Evergy for connection to {the electrical} grid,
- Failure to reveal the influence of photo voltaic panel orientation on power financial savings, and
- Failure to provide a correct three-day discover of cancellation.
Judge Faith Johnson signed a default judgment in opposition to the corporate. It calls on Design 1 Group LLC to pay:
- $106,780 to refund to clients,
- $110,000 in civil penalties, and
- Other court docket prices and investigation charges.
Bennett stated the overall was $220,977. He stated the court docket additionally ordered Design 1 Group LLC to cease doing enterprise in Kansas. The ban will stay in place till the corporate is licensed and obtains all essential permits.
KSN News has reached out to the corporate for a response. We have not heard but.
Advice on shopping for a solar energy system
The district legal professional says there are a number of issues patrons ought to take into account earlier than signing a contract for a solar energy system.
- System Life and Migration:
- How lengthy do I plan to remain in my dwelling? (Most photo voltaic methods are designed to remain on a house for at the very least 20 years).
- If I transfer, will the contract switch?
- How will the photo voltaic system have an effect on the worth of the home if I resolve to promote?
- If the system is financed, will a property tax lien stop me from promoting my dwelling till the mortgage is paid off?
- Costs:
- What is the precise price of a photo voltaic system?
- How can I pay the system?
- Do I perceive how and once I can obtain any rebates or tax credit supplied?
- Advantages:
- Do I perceive the power output of the photo voltaic system and what’s the offset it offers?
- Do I perceive how the system saves energy?
- Do I perceive which route the photo voltaic panels ought to face for optimum power era? (The south is the most effective. The north is the worst.)
- Seller/Warranties:
- Is the vendor correctly licensed?
- Do early buyer opinions of the photo voltaic firm counsel they stand behind their methods?
- Do I do know the required steps to be taken by Evergy to connect with {the electrical} grid?
- Do I perceive the system upkeep necessities and guarantee protection?
- Who is chargeable for harm to the photo voltaic system from excessive climate and different sources?
- What about roof substitute if the roof is broken however the photo voltaic panels nonetheless work?
To file a client criticism with the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office, go to the DA’s web site. The web site consists of cellphone numbers, e-mail addresses and an internet criticism type.
