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Get a Free QuoteThe Connecticut Attorney General has actively pursued solar bad actors — including a $5M Vision Solar judgment and a Spruce Power settlement. Here is everything CT homeowners need to know about their legal rights, how to vet an installer, and what to do if you were deceived.
$5M
Vision Solar Judgment
$100K
Spruce Power Settlement
3 Days
Right to Cancel Window
860-808-5318
CT AG Complaint Line
2026 Alert: The federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025. Any solar company advertising a 30% federal tax credit for your personal taxes is either uninformed or deliberately misleading you. This is the #1 consumer protection issue in CT solar right now.
The Connecticut Attorney General has made solar consumer protection a priority. These are the major actions affecting CT homeowners.
$5M Judgment
CT AG reached a $5 million judgment against Vision Solar for deceptive door-to-door sales practices across Connecticut. The company misrepresented savings estimates, hid escalator clauses, and impersonated utility representatives in Fairfield County and Hartford suburbs. Vision Solar subsequently ceased Connecticut operations.
$100K Settlement
Spruce Power, which inherited thousands of CT legacy solar leases, settled with the CT AG after complaints about surprise billing fees, lack of transparent monitoring access, and complications for homeowners trying to sell their homes. The settlement required improved disclosures and a dispute resolution process.
Active Complaints
SunStrong Capital has faced complaints from CT homeowners regarding a $10/month fee for monitoring data access — a fee not included in original lease agreements. Multiple complaints filed with the CT AG under CUTPA (CGS § 42-110a) alleging the fee is a hidden charge constituting an unfair trade practice.
What These Actions Mean for You
The CT AG's active enforcement posture means Connecticut homeowners have real legal recourse when solar companies engage in deceptive practices. CUTPA (CGS § 42-110a) allows CT residents to sue for actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney fees. The enforcement record also signals to bad actors that Connecticut is not a soft target.
Connecticut has some of the strongest consumer protection laws in the country. These specifically apply to solar transactions.
3-business-day right to cancel any door-to-door contract. Written notice required. Full deposit refund mandated.
Prohibits deceptive business practices. CT homeowners deceived about tax credits or savings may recover damages, punitive damages, and attorney fees.
Solar companies must provide written disclosure of RRES tariff terms, net metering type, escalator clauses, and interconnection process before contract execution.
Requires home improvement contractors to be registered with CT DCP. Solar installation is a home improvement. Unregistered contractors cannot legally operate.
Under CGS § 42-135a, you have 3 business days to cancel any contract signed during a door-to-door solicitation — regardless of what the salesperson says. The cancellation must be in writing (email counts). The company must return your deposit in full.
These are the scam patterns actively documented in Connecticut in 2025-2026, including those that led to the Vision Solar, Spruce Power, and SunStrong complaints.
Greenwich, Stamford, Norwalk, and Westport are prime targets. Salespeople claim "free solar" to pitch leases where you pay monthly for 25 years. With the federal 25D ITC dead, no cash purchase is "free." Only a PPA or lease avoids upfront cost — and you never own the panels.
Ask: "Is this a purchase, lease, or PPA? Who owns the system in 25 years?"
Some companies claim 1,500 kWh/kW/year for CT rooftops. Realistic CT production is 1,200–1,350 kWh/kW/year. Overstating by 300 kWh/kW on an 8 kW system inflates annual "savings" by ~$650/year — which compounds across a 25-year contract.
Ask for the PVWatts or Aurora simulation showing your address-specific production.
Section 25D expired December 31, 2025. Any solar company advertising a 30% federal tax credit for your personal taxes in 2026 is wrong. Only lease/PPA providers can legitimately reference the Section 48/48E commercial ITC — and only because they (not you) claim it.
Ask: "What section of the tax code gives ME a credit in 2026?" The correct answer: none.
CT solar leases commonly include 2–3%/year escalator clauses buried in the contract. A $110/month lease payment becomes $175/month by year 20. If the escalator causes your payment to exceed your projected utility savings, the lease could cost more than doing nothing.
Ask for the complete year-by-year payment schedule. Page 8 of the contract is often where it hides.
A tactic documented in the Vision Solar complaint: salespeople claiming to be from Eversource or United Illuminating, or from a government "clean energy" program. No utility sends representatives to sell solar panels. Eversource and UI representatives never knock on doors to sell solar systems.
Call Eversource (800-286-2000) or UI (800-722-5584) to verify. Real utility reps carry verifiable IDs.
Use this checklist before signing any solar contract in Connecticut. Items marked critical are non-negotiable.
CT electrical contractor license (E-1 or E-2)
CriticalVerify at ct.gov/dcp — search by company name or license number
NABCEP certified installer on staff
CriticalVerify at nabcep.org/certification-search
CT Green Bank Smart-E participating contractor
Check ctgreenbank.com — verifies loan access, not quality
CT AG complaint database — no open enforcement
CriticalSearch at ct.gov/ag/consumers or call 860-808-5318
Better Business Bureau rating of A or better
Check bbb.org — look at both rating and complaint pattern
General liability insurance ($1M+ per occurrence)
CriticalAsk for certificate of insurance before signing
Workers' compensation coverage
CriticalAsk for certificate — required by CT law for their crews
PURA-registered interconnection experience
Ask how many CT interconnection applications they handle per year
5+ local CT references within past 12 months
CriticalAsk for names in your county — not just reviews on their website
Written disclosure: ITC is $0 for homeowner purchases
CriticalAny honest CT solar company will state this in writing in 2026
After post-ITC shakeout: With the residential ITC eliminated at the end of 2025, some smaller CT solar companies have closed or scaled back. Always verify that a company is still actively operating and has CT-based staff before signing. Ask for a physical CT office address and a local phone number.
Walk away immediately if a Connecticut solar company does any of the following.
Claims you will get a 30% federal tax credit in 2026
Says Energize CT offers solar panel rebates (it does not)
Claims "CT Green Bank approval" means quality endorsement
Refuses to provide CT E-1/E-2 electrical license number
Predicts CT solar production above 1,400 kWh/kW/year
Cannot show a PVWatts or Aurora production simulation
Pressures you to sign immediately ("offer expires tonight")
Claims to be from Eversource, UI, or a government agency
Hides escalator clause details or refuses year-20 payment disclosure
Asks you to waive your 3-day cancellation right
Cannot provide 5 recent local CT customer references
No general liability or workers' comp insurance certificates
Act quickly — Connecticut has statute of limitations timelines for CUTPA claims. Start with these agencies.
Deceptive sales practices, ITC misrepresentation, hidden fees
Phone: 860-808-5318
Web: ct.gov/ag
Unlicensed contractor, license verification, contractor violations
Phone: 1-800-842-2649
Web: ct.gov/dcp
RRES tariff disputes, interconnection problems, utility billing issues
Phone: 860-827-2622
Web: ct.gov/pura
Dispute resolution, complaint records, company ratings
Web: bbb.org
Connecticut Small Claims Court handles disputes up to $5,000 without requiring an attorney. File in the Geographical Area Court for the county where the contract was signed. Court filing fee is $75-$95. Bring your contract, written communications, and any evidence of misrepresentation. CUTPA cases above $5,000 require Superior Court — consider consulting an attorney, as CUTPA allows attorney fee recovery.
Under Connecticut's Home Solicitation Sales Act (CGS § 42-135a), you have a 3-business-day right to cancel any contract signed during a door-to-door solicitation. The cancellation must be in writing, and the company must refund your deposit. If a salesperson claims you cannot cancel or pressures you to waive this right, that is illegal under Connecticut law.
The Connecticut Attorney General reached a $5 million judgment against Vision Solar in 2023 following widespread complaints of deceptive door-to-door sales practices, including misrepresenting savings estimates, hiding contract terms, and misleading homeowners about available incentives. Vision Solar ceased operations in multiple states under regulatory pressure.
Spruce Power, which acquired legacy residential solar leases, agreed to a $100,000 settlement with the Connecticut AG related to complaints about billing practices, hidden fees, and difficulties for homeowners attempting to sell their homes with solar leases attached. The settlement required improved consumer disclosures and dispute resolution procedures.
Solar companies in Connecticut are regulated by multiple agencies. PURA (Public Utilities Regulatory Authority) oversees solar tariffs and interconnection. The CT Department of Consumer Protection licenses electrical contractors (E-1/E-2 required for solar). The CT Attorney General enforces consumer protection laws under CUTPA. Energize CT (administered by Eversource and UI) approves contractors for rebate programs.
SunStrong Capital (which manages legacy solar leases) has faced complaints from CT homeowners about a $10/month fee for accessing monitoring data for their own solar systems. Complaints were filed with the CT AG alleging this fee was not disclosed in original lease agreements and constitutes a deceptive practice.
File complaints with: (1) CT Attorney General at ct.gov/ag or 860-808-5318 for deceptive practices. (2) CT Department of Consumer Protection at ct.gov/dcp or 1-800-842-2649 for contractor licensing violations. (3) PURA at ct.gov/pura or 860-827-2622 for solar tariff and interconnection issues. (4) Better Business Bureau at bbb.org. Small claims court handles disputes under $5,000 without an attorney.
The federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025. Current CT incentives include: RRES tariff (fixed credits set by PURA for new installations), retail-rate net metering for grandfathered systems, 6.35% sales tax exemption on solar equipment and labor, local property tax exemptions (most CT towns), Smart-E solar financing at 6.99-7.99% APR through CT Green Bank, and ESS battery incentives ($250-600/kWh).
The CT Green Bank maintains a list of Smart-E participating contractors at ctgreenbank.com. However, being on this list means the company can offer Smart-E loans — it is NOT an endorsement of their installation quality or business practices. Verify all credentials independently through the CT Department of Consumer Protection license database at ct.gov/dcp.
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