Solar panel company signed dying man to 25-year loan, leaving family to settle debt

A North Texas family is stuck dealing with debt they say their father was tricked into taking on.

[@douglasstone3813]

There needs to be a 5X to penalties and sentences for robbing the elderly.

[@user-zp7jp1vk2i]

Elder abuse, fraudulent intent, the crime list goes on and on. Do something , now.

[@OPV305]

you can impose better penalties. just have to want it enough.

[@rustyshackle917]

As opposed to robbing the young or middle age? 😂 Welcome to USA where corporations have the legal rights of a person but none of the responsibilities.

[@Shiesty9168]

@@rustyshackle917 fucc usa

[@palepride7530]

@@rustyshackle917cognitive skills decline with old age like they increase. We protect minors and we should with the elderly who can’t anymore.

[@shawndevoid9813]

They should do a class action lawsuit, as these homeowners weren’t in the state of mind to sign these contracts.

[@nunyadambusiness3530]

This happened to me but not with solar, my mother had $30K of credit card debt (she was always on-time w/ her payments, and thats 35% of her old credit line), and they tried to go after me to pay it, when I'm on SSI & SSDI, I cannot afford $780/mo to paid off her debt, and they threatened to take my home & vehicle to pay for it. So I had to put my Car & my Home in my life-long best friends name for 8 years until it fell off my records. I paid for the taxes and I still paid everything on-time when it came to my house & car. But I shouldn't have to temporarily transfer property ownership, just to prevent garnishment.

[@amio_roseto1]

They should start that asap

[@gopplergoppler8827]

It wont matter, demonrats and chynheeese party making money and promoting solar, their currently in charge of most of our government. Thats why this stuffs happening to begin with

[@theindivisible]

@@nunyadambusiness3530put it in a trust

[@mikeylopez9625]

Can't do shit about it

[@user-nv8xi7pj2j]

This is elder abuse and should be investigated and prosecuted.

[@blak3brutus229]

Not elder, dementia. And it’s fair game, moneys money.

[@CaptainBuggy1965]

@@blak3brutus229I hope you gain a 25-year debt that your family must burden once you pass

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

​@@blak3brutus229 The 2 go hand in hand, and it's totally not fair game.

[@blak3brutus229]

@@CurlyFromTheSwirly it sounds like fair game to me, if I’m stupid enough to know I could end up in a position where I’m mentally unfit to handle my belongings in a manner such as this, I would have done prep work to ensure that when I am as wealthy as this, that I’m being watched by an actual professional and not some little retirement home helper who ain’t gon do shit but leave me in my pee and poo at 97 years old!

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

@@blak3brutus229 Some people make arrangements, others don't. It's still morality and legally wrong to take advantage of people.

[@ihatecrackhead]

$700 electric bill for a double wide is a SCAM

[@ciara7172]

Insane

[@spencers4121]

Texas has a private power grid, it's what they wanted.

[@ihatecrackhead]

@@spencers4121 texas pays 14.61 ¢/kWh, below the national average of over 16

[@florida1289]

Ya but they saved a couple dollars so I'm sure that was exciting

[@Saferal11]

Everything's bigger in Texas!

[@Asiablue]

This has nothing to do with solar panels, and everything to do with greedy, unscrupulous businessmen.

[@tsudagenam6292]

It’s capitalism for ya 😂

[@tsudagenam6292]

Don’t let the government get involved cuz that bad. Let them resolve it between the company vs customer. 😂 no government laws, no gov involvement, love capitalism

[@francismarion6400]

The whole thing is an A to Z scam.

[@francismarion6400]

​@@tsudagenam6292Chernobyl

[@bobroberts2371]

If this guy was so out of it, the family should have applied for a conservator-ship making any decisions he made invalid.

[@kimc7699]

This problem is across the country. My elderly father was given a solar panel sales pitch of $60K for panels on his roof. Fortunately, he's healthy and has all his faculties, so he asked them a lot of questions about how it all worked (because he's got a scientific mindset, and probably wanted to waste their time a little) and then said no.

[@methujeraya]

Your father is OG

[@billybegood466]

I'm still trying to figure out how debt can legally be transferred from a parent to a child, when that child did not agree to anything or sign any contracts accepting that debt on the death of their parent.

[@gimpygardner3377]

​@@billybegood466 The loan is a 2nd mortgage on you house. Only unsecured loan die with you. (i.e. credit cards, doctors bills)

[@gimpygardner3377]

I get 4 or 5 calls a week, I also like to waste their time. I've threatened to start scheduling appointments if they don't stop calling. (Hint: nobody in India is named Trevor)

[@bigmacattk]

Why waste their time? They get paid to close, and your father doesn’t. In essence, he is wasting his time and not getting paid. He is the bigger fool here

[@jesusmejia1239]

Worked for a company like this couple years back. I remember I knocked on a door and this elderly lady opened it for me. I was about to sign her up, but I could see how lifeless she was, countless pill bottles on the table, breathing with an oxygen tank. I felt terrible. I told her we are a scam and never open the door to people like me. I quit the next morning.

[@fictitiousnightmares]

I'll take 'things that never happened' for $1000 Alex!

[@jesusmejia1239]

@@fictitiousnightmares looks like you lost $1000

[@fictitiousnightmares]

@@timchamberlin9280 I'm not the one making up stories on social media for clout from gullible strangers.

[@MaiRaven3]

Bravo

[@jamesstrong593]

So if you knew it was a scam, then why did you even take the job? How many people did you scam while you were employed with that company?

[@chrismaggio7879]

Disgusting!! And the family should NOT be required to cover this. All of the company's personnel need to check their morals and change their lives.

[@bryanspilner7370]

Most salesmen are crooks, someone knocks on your door it’s best not to answer.

[@roveriia6334]

The salesman is just the start of the evil. All contracts are reviewed and all you have to do is add the age to the length of the loan minus life expectancy

[@slowedversion6393]

I sent them off. Try somewhere else little buddy

[@marilynhudson5805]

I'm not going to answer my door especially now that there's no telling where the illegal immigrants will be floating around. And I don't answer my phone only for my Children. Don't answer any unknown numbers if the call is important they will leave a message.

[@timafiggy]

Exactly

[@tommyl5319]

I wouldn't jump to "most" unless you have some sort of source. I've known very decent people who were salesmen, but there are definitely a lot of unethical/immoral ones

[@TheTruthSeeker756]

This is CRIMINAL. I hope there are some attorneys out there that will take this family's case.

[@beverlyweber171]

maybe the Institute for Justice?

[@RUTHLESSambition5]

Texans getting what they voted for😂😂😂 Republicans dont believe in government oversight and you get predatory companies like this

[@RealMexFoodShouldntGiveUDrrhea]

These salespeople are so predatory. I had a scary encounter with a pair of them that literally returned when it was nighttime and I actually was close to calling the cops on them. I can’t even think of how they pressure older folks who might not be in their right mind.

[@AZHITW]

I had a nasty one call me on the phone, he was exceptionally rude and I'm guessing he was trying to bully me into getting solar panels, I don't bully easily, told him to shove the solar panels where the sun don't shine. He laughed and hung up. Despite what you were taught growing up you don't have to be polite just because you're a lady.

[@jenniferashley99]

When you have a loved one dealing with this, power of attorney is very important

[@danielhurst8863]

They aren't selling solar contracts, they are finding vulnerable people and CREATING contracts. The are solar squatters who then want to charge you for their squatting.

[@rebeccacervantes8420]

We had someone come to our house today trying to get my Mom to take on another financial transaction just four months after my Dad’s death! Everything is hitting her at once with various expenses and unexpected repairs on our house. I have to be very wary of these types of people. 😢

[@RUTHLESSambition5]

No oversight in states like Texas and Florida. Companies love states like that

[@JamesCook76131]

I had solar panels, added 40k to my house, made 50k off the transaction when selling my home. Get educated, solar is great if you understand what you’re getting yourself into plus the tax rebates.

[@chrismichael1841]

By law, if you’re incapable of signing the contract under this instance, they are not responsible for it legally

[@marilynhudson5805]

That's exactly true facts 💯.

[@thomasdalton1508]

Sure, but they would need to prove their father's state of mind when he signed the contract. How are they going to do that? It doesn't sound like anyone had power of attorney, so hadn't gone through the process to establish that he was incompetent. It would be very difficult to do that retroactively after his death.

[@IceSkater8491]

​@@thomasdalton1508 If the dad was seeing a doctor for his senility and other issues the doctor statement would be a big help.

[@djpcinema]

@@thomasdalton1508 With medical records of demetia

[@alexlabs4858]

@@thomasdalton1508That would be done extremely easily by the dozens of healthcare professionals and medical records their father incurred while dealing with stage 4 liver disease. They need to lawyer up.

[@debugdan_]

People need to remember you can’t inherit debt. Just because you are related to someone doesn’t mean you take the debt. If a family member is in debt and dies, you are NOT responsible for it!

[@Seraphim_Belisarius]

Which is why they wanted his daughter to sign it as well after the fact.

[@this1foo]

All the ppl who filed those complaints should start a class action suit and sue that company into the ground.

[@NurseryEnterprises]

Thank you CBS Texas for showing us all over the world what Sunnova is doing.

[@jamesstpatrick8493]

CBS is fake news. They are bought

[@eriks8382]

Sunnova bitches

[@USMC978]

I’m at my 3rd solar company in 8Yrs. One of those companies was messed up. I should have known when they offered me $50/hr as a lead installer. We installed dozens of systems. The boss would send us home when it’s almost done. We found out he never commissioned the system or make sure everything was working. But having the system look complete. He was able to get his final payment. We were his only crew. All 6 of us quit. We filed a complaint to the department of labor and got a lawyer. We are going to trial soon. Anyways, if you are unsure about the company or the guys doing the work. Ask them if you can come watch them do a few installs at other customers homes. If they are legit, that will not be an issue.

[@Sashazur]

And: 1. make sure they are licensed and bonded in your state. Your state’s website should have that info. 2. Check their reviews, but keep in mind those can be fake. 3. Ask them for references from people they have done recent jobs for. Talk to those people and look at the work.

[@leosirias4116]

That sucks I was passionate about Solar years ago started off not knowing anything years later I’m doing installs on my own had ran crews as as lead throughout the 7 years in solar but the body can take so much to top it off someone dropped a solar panel on my head 😅freak accident so I went into sales and realized it wasn’t all that it seems greedy salesmen ,fake smiles and ,shady contracts I quit . Then started off as an apprentice In LA doing new construction electrical three years later I own my own company doing residential electrical here in Florida

[@USMC978]

⁠​⁠​⁠@@Sashazuryes definitely make sure all the licenses are up to date. Every journeyman, master electrician, engineer, etc. My current company is almost 7 years old and are doing jobs in 8 different stales with over 2500 installs. 684 reviews at 4.8. 🥰🥰

[@USMC978]

⁠@@leosirias4116Some of my family moved to the Orlando area. I wouldn’t mind working there as an installer, but I would have to take a big pay cut. I know cost of living is a lot cheaper down there. Congrats on your company! That would be a dream for me. I was thinking about starting a service one. Just to fix issues with customers who’s company no longer exist.

[@VoidDragon82]

You Americans have labour laws??? When did that happen??

[@aw8079]

"it's just business"...... like when a hospital turns away a destitute person or when the sheriff performs an eviction. Money destroys humanity.

[@kathyr.8135]

Satan does

[@Rink03]

Hospitals cannot turn someone out, its an illegal practice

[@93rwolf]

No, laziness and people who want things but dont want to pay for those things are what destroys humanity. No person alive is entitled to anything that another person owns. This includes another person's time, knowledge, or labor.

[@93rwolf]

@@kathyr.8135 No, I'm not lazy. That's why i don't have the same problems as these people who complain about paying hospital bills.

[@kathyr.8135]

@@93rwolf and one day it can all happen to you . Nothing is guaranteed

[@Geckotan]

Back in the day, when I was installing alarms I had a job that I drove 50 min to get to. When I got there it was an old couple, nice people etc. I walked in and started looking for the best place to put the panel etc, just general walk thru stuff. As I was doing it I opened the back door and heard a chime. I went around the house and opened various windows and doors to see if I could hear that chime again, and sure enough I did. I hunted for the panel but couldn't find one anywhere on the walls. I asked the people if they already had a system and they said no. Confused I started walking around and eventually found it just sitting on their night stand by their bed. The exact same system I was suppose to install. I mean, nobody in their right mind installs an alarm panel and just sits it on the night stand... I was extremely confused at this point and asked them when they had this installed because alarm contracts are normally 3 years by default, and I didn't want them to get stuck with some kind of disconnect fee or early termination fee. They couldn't remember. So I asked them if they could call their kids and they did. I talked to their daughter who told me they had dementia and alzheimers and they just got that other system the week before. She explained that they are always getting new contracts with this or that. I was pissed. I was pissed that the sales person would do this to an old couple. I called dispatch, cancelled the job, and bid them a nice day. I did not get paid for my day. When I got back to the office I talked to the owner and told him that was bullshit and the sales people need not do that kind of selling. Because since I was the only alarm tech they complied and "understood". Eventually they got another guy and let me go. I was never so happy to lose a job in my life lol.

[@btrueeth]

Why should the family shoulder the man's debt? The agreement was with the man not the family.

[@bountiful5732]

The lenders are putting lein s on the home

[@jaxturner7288]

The family thought they would inherit the man’s property with everything all paid off. Now they figure out they have to pay for the solar panels to get the property clear of leans.

[@DistrustHumanz]

When someone inherits something, that includes the debt.

[@btrueeth]

I will just give up the solar panels

[@jaxturner7288]

@@btrueeth yeah but in reality, leans don’t work like that. Instead you would have to either give up the property over the lean or pay them off. Leans against the entire property, not the panels. 👊

[@ProCoach2373]

My father in law just went into hospice at his own home and some jokers selling solar panels knocked on the door and continued to pitch it to anyone who would listen. I had to run them off. Unbelievably inconsiderate. Less than a year later they caught my mother in law home and sold her panels. In fact, she bought them once, and they never worked. Then another company sold her again and luckily she couldn't qualify. Sickening....

[@user-zp7jp1vk2i]

this is the "new" vacuum cleaner salesman con, and now the numbers are HUGE. No way solar panels cost anywhere NEAR that much. WE can plate an entire roof in Canada for chump, well under 10 grand , zero hydro, but only use ACCREDITED companies.

[@pearlsswine]

Why do you leave your incapacitated parents alone, Billy? Kind of selfish of you.

[@TheScrubmuffin69]

​@@pearlsswine bro did someone name Billy molest you as a child? Why do you keep calling people that while also being rude?

[@naekosl3059]

Chinese made "Tofu Dreg" solar panels. I wonder if these companies are owned by chinese companies and they then hire these sales people who work only on commission. The profits are mostly going to China and not the sales force.

[@dank3720]

Ya mom don’t learn

[@theyaden]

I've heard several complaints about people that were told it was going to be free under a government program but that they needed a SSN to check eligibility. As soon as it's given they reportedly put in a loan that the owner only found out about later.

[@LiPo5000]

I never give mine out! And when I don't give it, they get super mad because I will not do it!

[@Rink03]

Never, EVER give your SSN number to Anyone

[@jjthe]

Like other's have said definitely never give out your ssn. That being said, what you are describing is wildly illegal.

[@theyaden]

@@jjtheTrue, but good luck proving it. If you do somehow prove it the company will claim it was a rogue salesman and only have to pay civil damages.

[@jjthe]

@@theyaden The company is still liable for the actions of their employees. Whether they allow that kind of behavior or not really isn't relevant. As long as one can prove that it was done without consent the company would likely be slapped with a fine on top of civil damages. It's really more a matter of if they bother pursuing charges against the company

[@maryjanebrown4667]

The children would not be responsible for paying this loan unless the solar company put a workman’s lien upon the property, or unless their name(s) appear on the title to the property.

[@robertomorffi6856]

The loan gets paid through the estate so in essence the kids do pay, that's less inheritance they get etc

[@jaridkeen123]

$95 for a years worth of electricity sounds suspicious as hell. Those panels definitely produced more than $95

[@FantomMisfit]

They were shit ass 100w panels with low efficiency probably

[@charmio]

​@@FantomMisfitNo it's simply that utility companies don't pay you much for feeding your excess power back into the grid. There's good reasons for why dispite how annoying it is as a solar system owner. Hence why it often makes sense to install batteries if you're going solar (FYI, I'd recommend lithium titanate battery chemistry, those things are awesome! They'll easily put up with 20+ years of rough abuse with no maintenance needed).

[@FantomMisfit]

@charmio Probably some of both only offgrid Solar is worth doing

[@insomnia20422]

energy companies are set up to fulfill the needs of their customers and if you come and provide extra electricity they have to manage that extra, its pretty much just a hassle which is why they dont pay you shit for it... its also not baseline electricity which they could plan for, its very fluctuating so they cant plan with it but have to look out that it doesnt exceed their maximum voltage ratings on really sunny days if lots of solar farms create lots of power

[@jseehowitsbeen3177]

People should stop buying from these predatory companies and file a class action lawsuit.

[@DM-lc2cf]

So true, but the companies often exploit by preying on the unknowing.

[@austinh1028]

I'm not aware of any companies that DON'T do this kind of practice. they all just scam people until they get bought out by Tesla...

[@bobfraples4446]

⁠​⁠@@DM-lc2cf I come from home/car warranty, home security, solar and these companies only care about revenue, they have knowledge and resources to protect the llc (limited liability corporation)

[@richrigney4610]

Contracts aren't legal when they're signed by people who don't have the mental capacity to sign. This contract would easily be voided in court.

[@jjthe]

The problem comes up when it comes to proving that they didn't have the capacity unfortunately

[@santfam3835]

This is why I ALWAYS tell those same individuals at the big box stores to get lost when they approach me to sell me this or other crap. And I never feel bad doing so either. These people are snakes.

[@marilynhudson5805]

I'm 75 and thank God 🙏 that I kept telling those people that was calling me every day to put them on their Grandparents house and leave me the hell alone. They finally got tired of me because they knew that I wasn't going to fall for it. I feel so badly for my Senior Citizens Peers for all the countless Scams and neglect amongst other things that we endure.😢😢. This is a Travisty that was done to this Elderly Man I hope that his family can recover his money back. Senior Citizens beware because so many people are out to get what we have worked for.😢 Safety and Love to all of my Senior Citizens Peers.

[@starventure]

Folks, this is why it is important to obtain power of attorney over any parent who is unable to make decisions anymore that are in their own best interests. At least one of the kids in this case should have been watching the mail and phone voice mails to stop this nonsense from happening. They knew he was ill and still let him alone to get scammed by unscrupulous conmen. Always be prepared to “take the keys” from a parent when they get older because you don’t know when the day is going to come when they start signing papers without your knowledge that could do harm later on.

[@js-wq6zy]

More than just a POA, get a court to explore them incompetent. Get the house and all assets out of their name, become a trustee for any income sources.

[@FantomMisfit]

The parents aren't always willing to go along with that though.

[@ilyaalister8193]

It’s illegal in most cases for the mentally unfit to sign legally binding documents. Usually documents would be found null and void so most people wouldn’t even think about this. This company is using a loop hole in legislation.

[@JAM661]

Wow who do you think you have the right to take someone keys just because of your standards and because of there age. My kids do that to me and they are not getting one dime and all my money would be going to charity. Whether the family like it or not it is his money and not theirs. If he was 10 years younger would people like you telling him to take there keys away. People get scammed everyday no matter what age they are. Look how many people lose money off romance scams. It is time for family members to stop pretending your parents money is yours. Maybe if you get scammed at the age of 30 we should take those people keys also.

[@insomnia20422]

well as long as you have guardianship over them it doesnt really matter what they sign and what not because its all invalid anyways

[@Effervescent_Smegma]

Contract Law is pretty clear on people that aren't able to sign them. These contracts aren't enforceable. Stop paying them and go to court.

[@user-jb1ex2lm9l]

Time for attorney and class action lawsuit, do not delay ASAP.

[@SunnyWu]

That sounds great but then all Sunnova has to do is declare bankruptcy...

[@txtime475]

This needs to be put on repeat and spread to everyone about solar companies went thru same problem and I'm finally putting it to rest.

[@TheRealCaptainFreedom]

We need laws to stop these old fools from giving all their money to scammers.

[@wsol80]

Take them to court and use their own statements to nullify the contract. Then bar them from the land and you get free solar panels.

[@JohnnyArtoff]

this company needs to be held fully liable in the highest court in the country

[@ryanclark2289]

I live in Arizona and the solar panels do NOT pay for themselves. $60,000 for a 25 year loan. And that does not include interest. And here’s the kicker, the panels need to start being replaced after 15 to 20 years. So you have to buy new panels before your loan is even paid off. Your electric bill goes from $150 a month to $800 a month with solar. And if the sun isn’t out, you are ALSO paying your normal electric bill and the $800 solar payment. ITS A JOKE! PS, I don’t have solar. I chase those guys off every time I see them. But my neighbors got suckered into it. What a ripoff.

[@aas061189]

At least in Florida that isn't true. My loan was $20,000 and I didn't have to pay anything out of pocket. My contract that I signed included the panels being replaced for free every 15/20 years, they also come out and clean them too for free. Even with days of no sun my electric bill has never been more than $60. It mostly usually runs under $10. And I have been paid by the electric company for extra power that the solar panels have collected. Even with my bill for the loan I don't pay anywhere close to what I used to pay in electric bills. I have had them for almost 4 years now and have zero complaints.

[@ryanclark2289]

@@aas061189 I do not for a second doubt that you have had a positive experience. People and companies who are granted government subsidies (taxpayer dollars) to offset the cost of a solar panel system usually do have a positive experience. Whether you received the subsidies or the subsidies went directly to your solar company, I don't know. BUT, if people had to pay the TRUE cost of wind and solar with no tax payer help, the cost would be through the roof and would not make financial sense. It also makes a big difference whether or not your heating system in your home, the stove, the hot water heater run on gas or electric as well. Whether you know it or not, there were government subsidies and/or incentives to offset the cost of your system.

[@jonathanberry2857]

Hmm, your math doesn't add up. Solar as a technology does indeed work, but if you're paying $650 a month for 65k worth of solar panels over 25 years.. yeah that's bad. I assume you're just making these numbers up, otherwise the issue is with the installation company, not the panels and tech.

[@ryanclark2289]

@@jonathanberry2857 You are correct. I should clarify. WITH government subsidies and incentives, yes, the payment is lower. And of course, if you source the materials and do the installation yourself, you have a much lower cost. I do not have solar and I do not want solar. But my neighbors have solar and they saved about 45% with the write off's. Their $60,000 system (which they had installed included). The solar company shows you the $60,000 price tag BUT then immediately show you the deductions from the government subsidies. Just saying, without the government subsidies artificially lowering solar cost, it wouldn't make financial sense...

[@reeddeer793]

@@jonathanberry2857solar works as long as you don’t get scammed by getting tricked into a PPA agreement.

[@marilynnschroeder4436]

Despicable! Why isn’t the attorney general investigating this matter?

[@logandecker2030]

Because there’s a very good chance they are being paid under the table to push it aside. It’s a corrupt company. Destroying lives for their own good is what they know.

[@insomnia20422]

Didnt you hear at the end that the federal government (and the state government probably too) is subsidizing them to make them expand their business? The government is not working for you guys, you really need to wake the fuck up...

[@ll2323]

The system is collapsing in front of our eyes. The fact that they’re grasping to elderly shows u how low they have to go.

[@Melissa404Vee]

My Dad passed away less than a year ago. Listening to stories like this hits differently...😔😔 #RipDad

[@user-tr6fw8yo2t]

If he had dementia why didn't any of his family have power of attorney over him? His contract would be completely void and invalidated.

[@timc9893]

Many families feel like this would be cruel to their elder. Others likely don't know that this solution exists, while others yet likely can't even afford the legal fees to do so.

[@FantomMisfit]

What happens when the parents aren't willing to cooperate? You're gonna force it on them against their will?

[@theyaden]

Trouble is a power of attorney doesn't prevent the person from signing things it just gives the POA holder the ability to also sign in their name. If they are declared incompetent no longer having legal right to sign things that prevents this and few are willing to make this acknowledgement.

[@CrizzyEyes]

@@FantomMisfit Yes? Take a look at Britney Spears. There's a reason why a conservatory was created for her. Woman is not right in the head. You can assess the situation and protect those you love, or you can let them fall to ruin. Your choice. It's even worse if you have to inherit their debt.

[@imchris5000]

@@FantomMisfit yes, they have an entire court system for this its called probate court they will get their own lawyer given to them by the state to protect them from shady family members but all they do is work this system so they tend to go with the person who applied for guardianship

[@pistolgrip44mag]

Crooks.

[@user-jm5lg1gq1i]

I often wonder if people really realize howbad “HELL” is gonna be when they die.

[@lerrin]

there is a special place in hell for those salesmen...

[@ai4px]

The really frustrating part about this is that solar really does work but with these scheisters on the prowl, solar gets a bad name.

[@OtisFlint]

It depends. My residential quotes made sense, my business quotes did not. It's really case by case.

[@williamjohnson1105]

You apparently prefer a Darwin Award or apparently just too small since you can’t seem to think outside your personal interest. Stay dirty my friend 😂​@@AdirondackHomestead

[@williamjohnson1105]

@@OtisFlintI mean if you been outside lately it all my sense but I get you you’re talking financial wise

[@loganq]

You sound vaccinated.

[@user-zp7jp1vk2i]

Most solar in Canada are a liason with govt. grant programs., and oversight by Hydro, and licensed installers. We don't see these perps. up here so much as a result of oversight. Some of my neighbours homes are ZERO hydro use as a result.

[@billybegood466]

How is it legal that debt transfers from parent to child? The children didn't agree to that, they didn't sign a contract. When someone dies, that should be it. All their debt disappears into the void.

[@back-engineered]

This is part of the scam. The salesmen knew that this man was close to death and they knew that he could never pay it. They also knew that someone would be inheriting the property. The solar contract puts a lien on the property. It's a win win for the solar company. They either get paid the full amount by the inheriting family or they end up getting the entire property due to the lien. That is the scam.

[@user-vf6ru8gm9p]

It didn't transfer to the children the debt goes along with his estate. So when the children go to sell the property it will be deducted from the sale.

[@chrispaul1117]

contract tied to the property

[@reeddeer793]

@@back-engineeredand then they do it to the wrong guy and that salesperson is no longer alive to enjoy his unethical commission. Womp Womp 😂

[@JimsEquipmentShed]

The property is his asset, not theirs. So his debts are paid from the estate leaving them with nothing.

[@dickrhodes2788]

When I moved my dad out of his house to live with me in his final few months, I discovered he'd been paying $850/month for a company to "remotely update his PC" which was of course bullsh!t. That anger combined with feeling of helplessness is something I never want to experience again, we're thinking about offering a free service to elderly to go over their finances for them to look for any sign they've been taken advantage of.

[@insomnia20422]

I think there should be laws prohibiting contracts that go against common sense which only goal is just to cheat elderly and incapacitated people. Those contracts should all be invalid. Its a big control law in the free market but I think its possible to make it work.

[@DB8ed]

This is grounds for a lawsuit, They need to go to the courts for this.

[@coachanderson2704]

No if they didn't sign the contract the family does not have to pay them back. The BBB has issued an alert for Sunnova, citing a pattern of complaints including deceptive sales practices, poor customer service.

[@pearlsswine]

Lol the BBB is literally just a company. That's like literally saying "Yelp has issued an alert on them".

[@slewone4905]

My mother decided to renovate her kitchen I said hell, no, because we always fight. SHe said she is hiring professional.. She stated that would increase property value. I told her, no, unless your selling. She quoted some people on some do it yourself channel, that everytime you renovate it increase property value, I said that doesn't make sense. No one will notice any renovation except the last. She asked me to check out if they had any complaints. I keep asking for the name. The guy bailed on us midway. SHe yelled and blamed me, because I never told her his history. I told her she never gave me his name or contractor number. she told me to look those up on the internet, just look it up. she finally gave me his business card, and showed her, his long history of complaints.

[@nikkimcdonald4562]

​@@slewone4905that was a wild ride.

[@coachanderson2704]

@@pearlsswine NO shit.

[@fictitiousnightmares]

The deceased ESTATE has to pay them back. If the family is accepting the estate's assets then they are liable for the debts (the estate is liable for the debts).

[@mominthe209]

The old adage, good deals don’t come looking for you. Yes there needs to be a class action lawsuit against these solar companies

[@fuzzylumpkins6034]

Here in the UK that would be abuse of the elderly and the company would not only be fined or shut down but face prison. Unless it was a government company then they get a pass.

[@fictitiousnightmares]

How exactly do you put a company in prison again?

[@fuzzylumpkins6034]

It is very common here for the board, board members and staff to be charged, albeit our prison does not work like yours. We do not put people in prison for life for stealing bread and give rich criminals probation.@@fictitiousnightmares

[@hectorrivera66]

Have the elderly mans doctor sign a document stating he was not mentally capable of entering into a contract

[@Slide61]

That was my experience with many installers when researching my project. It was incredible how many scammers are in that business.

[@joet7136]

Green energy is about 75% a scam. Just a lot sketchy, shady car salesmen involved.

[@Divedown_25]

There is nothing so bad as a greedy company.... and Sunnova is as bad as you get. Here is where the state should sue the crap out of Sunnova.

[@roveriia6334]

This is a small company greedy people. The board of directors pictures can be found on the Sunnova website. There you will see what evil looks like. If they would not sign contracts for people no older than life expectancy minus the length of the loan they could not sell to someone say 79-30= 49 that is not going to happen.

[@michaelortiz778]

Debt should not be the families problem when someone dies.

[@Royale_with_Cheeze]

I'm in MA. In 2017, I contacted a solar provider after asking a neighbor who has solar how it works and who they use. I signed up for a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) in a 20-year contract that starts off at a decent rate per kWh generated with a 2.9% annual increase. The contract also has a buyout option after 6 years. In my personal experience, I only ever paid for the energy produced, not a penny more, didn't pay any upfront costs for the panels or installation and, after the 6 year mark (this past August), I did opt to buy out the contract. I now own the panels, free and clear. My total cost, 6 years in the contract and buyout: just under $14K. Done and done. Because I'm in MA, I get full credit for all the electricity that goes back to the grid. I haven't paid the grid directly since March of 2018. I hear so many horror stories concerning solar panels and somehow costing in excess of $50K to the homeowner. Mine is a true story and because I am not naming the company I signed with, I am not a shill.

[@jpmcfrosty]

Glad to hear you’re having a positive experience as you should. Just like any industry, there are crooked vermin reps like whoever facilitated this news report, and stellar honest reps.

[@cakeman58]

Back in 2016, we found out that Solar City had initiated a 20-year lease for solar panels with my dad two year prior, who was 91 at the time. They were in assisted living and had the maximum amount of equity out in a reverse mortgage, which became due when they moved out. We let the home go to foreclosure, but Solar City had a lien on the house. After much discussion, asking them why they would pursue a 20-year lease with someone was in their 90s, they agreed to remove the panels and lien. The bank got free new shingles on 3 of the 4 sides of the roof.

[@Itslavishbitch]

Intyesting u added “the bank” at the end.

[@Itslavishbitch]

The banks corporations and the government I hate them

[@cakeman58]

@@Itslavishbitch Well, they owned the house at that point.

[@randys6220]

How does that small home have over a $800 monthly electric bill? It looks like a single wide trailer home. Unless that is due to paying back the loan for the solar panels.

[@back-engineered]

Yes. The 800 includes the solar payment

[@FantomMisfit]

​@@back-engineeredHonestly idk if the property is worth that

[@randys6220]

@@back-engineered That is a terrible return on investment except for the solar panel company, their salesman with his commission and the electric utility company with the lousy low credit they give.

[@ihatecrackhead]

6kw an hour, 24 hours a day = $800 that would mean the dryer, water heater, oven and electric heat never shuts off at any point someone's meter is scamming them

[@barrybb5409]

You end up paying to generate power with the panels, you still pay for the power used too. Theyll tell you the solar will cover everything you house uses but really it only takes care of maybe 25% at best. They charge you like 15 cents a kilowatt and pay you a percentage of s penny for each kilowatt you generate for the power company.

[@deafmute2501]

this is definitely criminal and should not see a day in civil court.

[@tamaracross9]

This solar panel company tried to sign my friend up for something like this , he was 74 . The lady that teied to sign him up was like 25 she did not care one bit that he wasnt gonna be around to pay that debt off as long as she got her commission. Thank god i told him to have me on the phone when she came. I acted like his daughter and asked a bunch of questions then told her leave her number with my dad and I would call her when i had my lawyer look that contract they was trying to have him sign over. Never heard from her again. Before that she was calling all the time pressing him to come do a home assignment...

[@DanielLy1200]

These crooks almost got me on the hook using strong armed sales tactics along with deception. They would have put these panels on my house and added a 30 year loan on top of my house preventing me from selling it. I ran away from the “deal” when I realized it was an automatic lien on my house. I have my house paid off and adding these solar panels would essentially save me like 3 dollars on energy costs but I’d be indebted for 30 years to pay for this the system. We need solar, but not like this. These are crooks out here forcing people into loans they do not need.

[@pearlsswine]

>Be you >Almost buy solar panels on a 360-month loan >Would "save" you $3.00 in electricity >"We need more of this!"

[@E.Asinus]

Why do we need solar?

[@user-sz7yu3xb7q]

Lol. In most states the right solar companies do ppa's where theres no loans or debts or liens. You dont know anything about the solar industry

[@user-sz7yu3xb7q]

@@E.Asinusit doesnt make sense for everyone. The ones that get it, get it.

[@E.Asinus]

@@user-sz7yu3xb7q but its inefficient, expensive, generates massive amounts of unrecyclable materials, and is difficult to grid tie. So why use it? Nuclear has long been a far more green and viable option,

[@dontbanmebrodontbanme5403]

You’ve got to be a real scumbag of a company to do this. It’s obvious they preyed on the elderly. Since, like always, the government isn’t looking out for you, you have to look out for yourself. Simply put, if you have a history of dementia in your family, while you’re still of sound mind, you need to give power of attorney to one of your kids. It’s a shame that you have to take measures like this, as everyone is trying to scam you.

[@slewone4905]

during the Obama administration, there was commercials that says there is free money though reverse mortgage. It was in commercials everywhere, and used Obamas name. I was so angry that he let them go around saying reverse mortgage is free money, and trick elderly into it.

[@aphaomega0098]

The debt becomes void when the original signer dies.

[@SnickasBah]

lol

[@williamei3166]

My grandmother when she had dementia got to sign a contract to sell her house for almost nothing. They said she did not have dementia back then when she signed it, but she would have never sold her house as it was her life, my grandfather and she built that house. So as the place now had good value they took advantage. So instead of the house being inherited by her children who were with her till her last days, It was taken by some people who took advantage of her dementia. The worst is she was evicted from these people after a couple of years while she was in the last years of her dementia.

[@phillipmarlowe0525]

😡😡😡😡😡😡😡. Explains how the company has a nice looking building. 🙏 that if this goes to court the family will be victorious.

[@user-ln7of9gs4s]

Holy crap! How many solar panels? What is the output on that system? 1:50 it looks like 12 rows times 4. Of each panel is 300 watts, 12x4 = 48 x 300 watts(a very conservative estimate, it’s could be higher) that’s 14,400 or over 14 kw in size if my math is correct. I’d like to see this man’s power bills. It said he got credit one month 2:30 time stamp, for -$95.04 and still owed $739.00, add those two up and that means the payment would appear to be $834.00 a month. How much was this man’s power bill typically? Did he still have a power bill? If I’m wrong, correct me. Add up your power and gas bill, and then add up your solar loan. Thoughts?

[@PelosiStockPortfolio]

I agree that $94 credit in a month seems extremely low for such a large array. Only way it makes sense to me is if they cherry picked the bill from a winter month that was particularly stormy/cloudy

[@aas061189]

With solar panels, his power bill should have been way lower. I have solar panels, and my electric bill during the summer is usually only $60, and when it is cooler out, it is usually under $10. For reference, I live in Florida, so the power bill during the summer can get as high as $300 during the peak of it. And I have less panels as him as well.

[@randys6220]

@@aas061189 The story reported the solar panels are not hooked to his home.

[@user-ln7of9gs4s]

@@aas061189 I think you’re missing the point. What incentive was there to this man to get solar? It sounds like the credit was going towards the solar payment, not the electric bill. The report was unclear, what the credit was for. There was no mention of what his electric bill was either. 🤷‍♂️

[@HomesickforAlaska]

The reporter stated that the solar array was not even connected to the house so the bill had nothing to do with the power usage in the house. However it was apparently connected to the grid so the $95 credit is what was sold back to the utility, the remainder was the payment on the panels. I am not familiar with solar panel installations, is it common to have a system like this installed and not have the residence hooked up? Or was this part of the scam and then they want to charge more to actually hook it up?

[@ladylyricz1]

God sees straight through to our hearts. Don't allow any dollar amount to destroy your character. Preying on our vulnerable seniors is shameful 😢

[@jackkonnof4106]

This is as bad as my Aunt and Uncle in Seattle that couldn't drive and had dementia. A car salesman somehow found them and sold them a new car that was delivered to their house and neither one could drive. Its a crooked world.

[@cricketlovely8541]

Unscrupulous... predatory lending 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

[@erichanastacio9695]

To destroy these types of companies.... It's better to shine the light of day by taking this on the news and social media.

[@Maishley]

Aside from the BS, why did that company install the panels without connecting them to the house? They are absolutely useless even if he was healthy when he signed up?! 🤦‍♀️ expensive yard ornaments?

[@desiv1170]

This sounds criminal... Although I would expect any resolution will be civil... If it is one or two dealer agents, then that's on those agents... If it is multiple Sunnova agents, then that is on Sunnova. Seems like a perfect reason to deny Sunnova any further government contracts...

[@kjones7270]

It's all on sunnova, they hire the third party dealers

[@mso1758]

They have connections in the healthcare system that takes care of those elderly victims. That’s how they isolate similar victims

[@RYN988]

They need a good lawyer to sue these bastard and void the contract.

[@boomeron67]

Everything bad in the world is directly or indirectly about money. It sucks.

[@only1muppet]

Giving who the state AG is, is anyone actually surprised they haven’t done anything? He’s probably getting paid off.

[@Jerry-ko9pi]

If a person is deemed not able to understand a contract, that make sit invalid correct?

[@theyaden]

Yes but you have to pay an attorney to argue in court that they weren't competent at the time the contract was signed.

[@U.B.T.]

That's precisely why I was only interested in purchasing my own solar system for about $10k, to become installed off-grid with a backup generator.

[@williammay5532]

She needs to sue that company for fraud. You can't have someone sign a document that they don't know who they even are. Not legal.

[@worldtraveler3044]

This is going viral nationally so hopefully the company does the right thing.

[@IsaacC20]

Disgusting. They should be sued out of business for malpractice and customer exploitation.

[@ianh1504]

This keeps happening over and over and over, someone really needs to look into the company scamming these people and start taking action

[@CL-lo3xr]

The state attorney general should investigate this company. They are crooks.

[@ksiebert631]

That's elder abuse. Sunnova should be sued.

[@hwyeates]

This is a form of predatory lending and needs to be prosecuted as such.

[@jessicab331]

The amount of greed in this world is so sad!😢

[@jerfacekilla]

Scammers definitely know their audience.

[@stevenhard3961]

If the family didnt sign the contract they dont owe the money!! Tell the Solar company come repo their crap or the family will remove it!!

[@MuzicTunes-lk6np]

Agree, it's like the dad died & had outstanding bills. The kids aren't responsible for paying their dads debt. It's like lending a friend money & he passed away, I can't go after his brother to collect my money. I had no dealings with the brother.

[@kturnington]

I was told a loved one can not leave you debt, but can leave you assets.

[@FantomMisfit]

@@kturnington It's not leaving you debt you can ignore it and let the house and other assets be sold to pay for it. But you can't take possession unless you settle the debts of the estate you're inheriting

[@dontdoxmebro]

@@MuzicTunes-lk6np No, but you can go for the assets of the estate.

[@DonaldMerrit]

I am a senior citizen with All my faculties. A Solar Company knocked on my door nearly every day for about 2 weeks trying to browbeat me into a contract. They wouldn't take no for an answer, and when I told them - I'm not going to change my mind so don't come back, they sent somebody else who started the whole sales pitch all over again. They even tried to shame me. It's no wonder that people are getting taken by these these shysters. Your federal government and your state allows this horrible treatment to take place because they want solar.

[@mjrussell414]

Next time someone tries to sell you something and won’t take no for an answer, tell them you will call the cops.

[@Meka581]

No. They want your HOMES.

[@JoeJoe-tg3ed]

Why would you not have your father live with you if he only had a few months left? You moved next door so you can watch the money.

[@mattf49006]

lets see if that criminal Paxton even notices this...

[@airportexpert4799]

They probably wrote a nice fat check for his re-election

[@Standoffmuffin]

If you want solar, buy the parts yourselves and hire out the work. Much cheaper than dealing with these crooks.

[@Peekaboo-Kitty]

The Contract is illegal because he had no mental capacity to sign. Do NOT pay it!

[@asianamericanadvice6016]

How much is the electricity company paying for each kwh? If they have use for the electricity, the solar panels should pay for themselves eventually. I assume this was years ago and the interest rate was low too.

[@ryanclark2289]

They do NOT pay for themselves. $60,000 for a 25 year loan. And that does not include interest. And here’s the kicker, the panels need to start being replaced after 15 to 20 years. Your electric bill goes from $150 a month to $800 a month with solar. And if the sun isn’t out, you are ALSO paying your normal electric bill and the $800 solar payment. ITS A JOKE!

[@TeacherTonya74]

This happened to my parents! Different company but over 30 year contract totaling $80K bill. He let the people into his house. The sales person fraudulently electronically signed my dad's name onto the electronic contract. Thankfully we were able to stop the contract within the 3 days contract cancellation time in our state, but it was close! Both my parents were adamant that it was 'free' and tried to get me to not make a big deal about it. Ever after I showed them the contract, they didn't believe it. Thankfully I have a lawyer in my family or we might have the same outcome as this guy!

[@areacode228]

This company has no morals at all! This is why I do not answer my door for door to door salesman. This is unethical on the highest level.

[@MS-cl5lz]

Something similar happened to my elderly parents in their late 80's, not to that amount but still , My mom had dementia and my father was sick in bed with his bedroom door shut , we were right at a shift change for caregivers and as soon as we ( the daughters got there ) a vacuum cleaner company had signed my mom to a multiple thousand dollar contract and even went into my dad's bedroom ( again - he's sick in bed and sleeping ) to try to vacuum !!! It was CRAZY !!! Multiple calls to the company and my brother in law called the city and found out they had no permit to solicit in town and he threatened to sue , also got the police dept. involved and finally were able to tear up the contract and put that company on notice . Unbelievable and so sad how the elderly are taken advantage of . Those sales people had no shame !

[@enigmaticons]

It’s a criminal activity, pure and simple.

[@Jddaniels916]

😂😂😂 they think I’m gonna pay a dead person’s bills? Riiiiiiiiight.

[@MusicLuv80]

My friend works as an inspector and he said don’t get solar panels. It damages your roof, they have to cleaned regularly, and break sometimes, and don’t save much.