Fighting Solar Scams Litigation in Albuquerque

Experienced Solar Industry Lawyers in Albuquerque

Patrick Griebel is an attorney with in-depth knowledge of the solar industry, including solar scams litigation in Albuquerque. He’s had a front-row seat to much of New Mexico’s solar transformation. 

He transitioned from his full-time law practice to launch a solar start-up in 2007, contributing to the state’s shift towards sustainable energy. Since then, he’s also contributed to several other solar installation company launches in the New Mexico market.

Why New Mexico Became a Target for Solar Company Scams

In the initial stages of residential solar adoption, a significant challenge was the absence of easy financing options. The substantial cost, around $8.00 per watt, meant a standard installation could be approximately $24,000, a steep price, especially given the technology’s perceived novelty. 

This limited solar panel sales to predominantly affluent homeowners. As time progressed, financing became more accessible, and solar installation costs decreased to around $3.00 per watt. Consequently, the same solar setup would cost a homeowner below $10,000. 

Factor in federal and state tax credits of up to 40%, and this price could further drop to a mere $6,000. Many chose to spread this cost over several years, making the monthly payments typically lower than conventional electricity bills.

Door to Door Solar Scams Infiltrate Albuquerque’s Neighborhoods

As solar installation became more affordable and popular, New Mexico caught the attention of out-of-state solar providers. Unfortunately, not all companies shared the same integrity or level of training, leading to a growing number of solar sales scams. 

In short, many sales representatives either didn’t fully understand what they were selling or simply told potential customers what they wanted to hear about the benefits of solar, regardless of whether it was true for the particular customer they were selling.  

Intentionally or not, many out-of-state “door-knockers” clearly weren’t concerned that they were committing solar power fraud. 

Contact our solar energy lawyers today if you feel you’ve been duped into signing disadvantageous solar contracts or were given faulty products.

Vivint Solar Scam (SunRun) Affects Thousands of New Mexicans

Another notable case is Vivint Solar, which faced allegations of misleading thousands of New Mexicans into signing unfavorable power purchase agreements (PPAs), which are long-term contracts where homeowners agree to buy power generated from their solar systems at set rates. These PPAs cost more than traditional utilities and were frequently miscommunicated or not explained transparently to homeowners.

The New Mexico Attorney General took a stand in 2018, suing Vivint over these practices. While a settlement was reached, many affected homeowners were left grappling with the aftermath of this prolific solar scam. 

We believe thousands of New Mexicans may still be trapped in long-term, unfavorable PPAs with Vivint and possibly other out-of-state companies. Our solar attorney is ideally situated to assist those affected by solar sales scams, and in fact, already has helped several New Mexicans modify or even terminate their contracts. 

Don’t Let Solar Scams Go Unanswered

Whether it’s a system that was never installed, unexpected costs, underperformance, or any other unmet promises, our experienced solar panel lawyers in Albuquerque are here to advocate for you. At Marrs Griebel Law LTD, we handle solar scams litigation in Albuquerque with a deep understanding of both the legal and industry-specific challenges these cases present.

Don’t let your solar scam experience go unanswered. Together, we can ensure corporations like Vivint and Meraki are held accountable for their actions. If you believe you were misled into signing an unfavorable solar contract or receiving substandard installation, we’re here to help.

Don’t hesitate to reach out if you suspect that you or someone you know fell prey to misleading solar practices. We’ll evaluate your situation with expertise and efficiency, helping you discern if you were part of a solar scam. 

Contact us today at info@marrslegal.com or call us to schedule a consultation with our firm. We will evaluate your situation and guide you through your legal options.