GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is suing a Portage-based solar company, saying it was a “deceptive solar-financing scheme” that affected over 1,500 customers.
The lawsuit was filed Wednesday against Climax Solar, its owner Joshua Thompson, and financial institutions that financed purchases of the solar panels the company sold. It says the parties violated the Consumer Financial Protection Act, the Michigan Consumer Protection Act and the Michigan Home Solicitation Sales Act as well as participated in common-law fraud and unjust enrichment.
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The AG said Climax Solar representatives would present in-home sales pitches to customers, promising them that they could replace or greatly reduce their utility bills with affordable payments and use federal tax credits to save money and have a working system installed quickly.
Many buyers reported signing both electronic contracts and financing documents in just one home visit. Climax Solar then sent the information to financing companies, who released funds before systems were completed, connected to the electrical grid or approved by the utility company, the AG’s office said…