A Connecticut judge has imposed a $5 million settlement against Vision Solar, a now-bankrupt solar company. Vision Solar has been accused of conducting illegal and controversial work. These allegations eventually led Connecticut’s Office of the Attorney General to legally go after the solar company.
A Settlement Against Bankrupt Vision Solar
According to the lawsuit filed by the AG’s Office, Vision Solar allegedly enforced high-pressure sales tactics. These specific tactics led the company’s employees to make misrepresentations to their customers in their quest to bring in more profits.
Vision Solar has also been accused of conducting unpermitted work. Because of the company’s many predatory practices when doing business, the AG’s Office felt it had no choice but to file charges against Vision Solar.
Attorney General Tong released a statement describing this settlement and the many illegal activities Vision Solar recently conducted. “Vision Solar’s predatory business practices were some of the worst we have seen. We were looking forward to taking this case all the way to trial,” Tong began.
“While Vision collapsed before that could happen, today’s judgment sends a clear warning to any remaining solar businesses engaging in this type of abusive, deceptive conduct. We continue to receive complaints regarding numerous solar companies. We’re going to keep fighting for Connecticut consumers to ensure honest, fair practices across the solar industry,” Tong added.
However, now that Vision Solar has become a bankrupt company, following a worrying trend in the industry, the AG’s Office has clarified that the company doesn’t have any available assets to actually pay this $5 million settlement. Regardless, the office believes that this judgment will work as an accurate and efficient warning to other solar companies in Connecticut that may be attempting to deceive consumers.
Though this case has been settled, officials have warned consumers that Vision Solar’s bankruptcy doesn’t necessarily mean that their own agreements with the company are settled. These lease or loan agreements may not be automatically canceled. They may not even be changed in any way. As a result, they have recommended consumers negatively affected by this company understand their own agreements.
Helping Connecticut Customers
The AG’s Office has further explained that consumers who feel they are owed money by Vision Solar can submit a proof of claim to the bankruptcy court. This claim could lead to compensation of $25,000 once the company’s bankruptcy is finalized.
Meanwhile, this judgment has also led to the enactment of other standards working in Connecticut — all of which have been designed to help customers in the state from being easily deceived by companies.
For example, one standard enacted after this settlement has to do with the use of phones and tablets. Now, companies cannot use phones or tablets when having customers sign contracts.
It is now also prohibited for contracts to be signed on the same day that a salesperson or company employee has visited the phone of a potential customer. By enforcing these new standards, officials are hoping to keep Connecticut consumers safe from malicious and deceitful actions by companies like Vision Solar.
