Attorney General William Tong has initiated legal action against SunRun Inc., SunRun Installation Services, Bright Planet Solar, Inc., Elevate Solar Solutions LLC, and salespeople Dakota Grumet and Sierra Howes. The lawsuit alleges deceptive and unlawful sales practices in the marketing of solar panel systems.
SunRun is described as the largest residential solar panel installation company in the United States. It offers various financing options for solar installations through local partners such as Bright Planet and Elevate Solar. Grumet and Howes are involved with both companies.
The complaint outlines multiple violations of Connecticut's Unfair Trade Practices Act and Home Improvement Act. It seeks consumer restitution, disgorgement of profits, civil penalties, and injunctive relief to prevent further illegal activities.
“SunRun, Bright Planet, and Elevate locked Connecticut homeowners into long-term solar panel contracts without their full and informed consent,” said Attorney General Tong. “We will aggressively pursue these companies in court to make these homeowners whole.”
The Department of Consumer Protection referred the complaints leading to this lawsuit. DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli emphasized the importance of ethical conduct by companies selling solar panels.
The suit includes specific allegations from three consumers:
**Windsor:** The complaint claims that Grumet and Howes impersonated a homeowner to secure a fraudulent 25-year lease contract for $306.98 per month. Despite rejections from both the consumer and her father, an electronic signature was falsified to finalize the transaction. A Bright Planet employee allegedly impersonated the consumer during a confirmation call. Panels were installed without consent or proper permits.
**Stafford Springs:** The complaint states that Grumet and Howes conducted a Zoom sales pitch for a 25-year lease at $314 per month but failed to disclose annual payment increases totaling $135,693 in excess charges. They forged an electric signature without providing a copy of the contract as required by law. Panels were installed without permits but never activated.
**Wethersfield:** The complaint alleges that a Bright Planet employee secured an electronic contract for $106.18 per month without providing a physical copy as mandated by state law. Panels were installed without necessary permits but remain non-functional.
This lawsuit follows two previous enforcement actions by Attorney General Tong against other solar companies—Solar Wolf Energy in 2022 and Vision Solar in 2023—both resulting in bankruptcy filings after similar allegations of deceptive practices.
Connecticut residents who believe they have been affected by improper solar company practices are encouraged to file complaints with either the Office of the Attorney General or the Department of Consumer Protection.
Assistant Attorneys General Michael Nunes and Joe Gasser, Legal Investigator Caylee Ribeiro, and Consumer Protection Section Chief Michael Wertheimer are assisting with this case.