Over two dozen plaintiffs recently filed a class-action lawsuit against New Jersey-based solar company Vision Solar. The plaintiffs claim that the company pressured customers to pay for their solar products and services that failed to live up to the salespeople’s promises.
According to the suit filed, the company often failed to obtain proper permits from the city before completing the installation, leaving customers with a system that was not connected to the power grid. Additionally, salespeople would allegedly mislead potential customers about the savings they would obtain through the use of the solar products.
The Lawsuit
The class action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey. However, the legal trouble does not end there. Vision Solar is also accused of deceptive practices in Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.
Plaintiffs are seeking a number of remedies including:
- Refunds
- To have the panels removed
- To have the panels properly installed
- Repair damage to homes
- To be released from financing agreements
According to the lawsuit filings, the company used fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair practices to win business. The company allegedly used high-pressure sales tactics to convince homeowners to purchase or lease solar panel systems. Some of the plaintiffs are low-income, disabled, and elderly individuals.
Additional Litigation
In addition to private litigation, Vision Solar faces action by Connecticut Attorney General William Tong. The AG’s office is investigating the company’s practices after it received more than a dozen consumer complaints. In a statement, AG Tong said that Vision Solar’s practices were “far and away the worst” they had ever seen.
The Importance of Unfair Trade Practices
This lawsuit alleges that Vision Solar violated numerous state laws prohibiting unfair trade practices. Unfair trade practices cover a variety of activities, but these laws were passed to protect consumers from harmful corporate conduct including fraud, misrepresentation, and oppressive or unconscionable acts. Prior to the passage of unfair trade laws, consumers who were subject to these practices had no recourse, even when they suffered financial or other economic harm. These laws incentivize corporations to act with honesty and integrity in dealing with consumers.
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