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 mentioned 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 mentioned some Wichita-area prospects complained, and the District Attorney’s Consumer Protection Division obtained concerned.
According to the DA, investigators say Design 1 Group LLC violated the Kansas Consumer Protect Act by:
- Contracting for companies with no 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 programs by customers,
- Failure to put in the correct gear required by Evergy for connection to {the electrical} grid,
- Failure to reveal the affect of photo voltaic panel orientation on power financial savings, and
- Failure to present 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 prospects,
- $110,000 in civil penalties, and
- Other courtroom prices and investigation charges.
Bennett mentioned the full was $220,977. He mentioned the courtroom 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 crucial 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 lawyer says there are a number of issues consumers 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 residence? (Most photo voltaic programs are designed to remain on a house for no less than 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 determine to promote?
- If the system is financed, will a property tax lien stop me from promoting my residence 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 after I can obtain any rebates or tax credit provided?
- Advantages:
- Do I perceive the power output of the photo voltaic system and what’s the offset it gives?
- Do I perceive how the system saves energy?
- Do I perceive which path the photo voltaic panels ought to face for max power technology? (The south is the perfect. The north is the worst.)
- Seller/Warranties:
- Is the vendor correctly licensed?
- Do early buyer evaluations of the photo voltaic firm counsel they stand behind their programs?
- Do I do know the required steps to be taken by Evergy to hook up with {the electrical} grid?
- Do I perceive the system upkeep necessities and guarantee protection?
- Who is answerable for harm to the photo voltaic system from excessive climate and different sources?
- What about roof alternative 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 contains cellphone numbers, e-mail addresses and an internet criticism type.
