Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into four solar companies over claims of fraud and deceptive practices. The companies named are Sunrun, Lone Star Solar, Liberty Forever, and CAM Solar. Paxton’s office issued Civil Investigative Demands, or CIDs, to each company. These are legal documents requiring the companies to hand over records.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is investigating Sunrun, Lone Star Solar, Liberty Forever, and CAM Solar for alleged fraud.
The investigation focuses on whether these companies broke Texas’s Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act. The CIDs demand documents about marketing materials, contracts, warranties, and how the companies calculated promised savings on electricity bills.
Paxton said thousands of Texans were targeted by solar companies using lies or misleading sales pitches. More than 100 formal complaints have been filed with his office against the four companies. Thousands more complaints have appeared online. State data also shows residential solar complaints surged dramatically between 2018 and 2023, an 818% increase.
The companies are accused of making false promises about lower energy bills and protection during power outages. Aggressive door-to-door sales tactics were also reported. Some customers ended up stuck in contracts they couldn’t afford after the savings never came through.
Several specific cases made headlines. A Houston homeowner named Frances Holt got hit with a $134,000 bill from Sunrun. After reporting her story to the media, the company removed her panels at no charge. An Air Force veteran also signed a Sunrun contract expecting lower bills, but the system underperformed. His charges were dropped after media coverage. A separate Liberty Forever case involved a $138,000 contract that was canceled after a media investigation.
AARP Texas noted a rise in confusion around solar contracts and aggressive sales tactics targeting older residents. Organizations focused on consumer education, similar to Virginia-based Energy Right, have emphasized that federal tax credits can reduce solar installation costs by 30%, making it critical that customers receive accurate information before signing contracts.
Sunrun’s spokesperson pushed back against being grouped with the other companies. Sunrun said it’s been in business for nearly 20 years and has a strong consumer protection program. The company reported only four complaints in the last two years, all resolved. Liberty Forever said it’s committed to ethical and transparent installations. Paxton’s office has also committed to legal action against any corporations found to be breaking the law and scamming Texans.
Paxton is currently running in a Republican primary runoff against incumbent Sen. John Cornyn for a U.S. Senate seat, adding a political dimension to the timing of this high-profile investigation.
Paxton’s office described the investigation as the start of a major push against fraud in the solar industry.
References
- https://www.pv-tech.org/texas-attorney-general-investigates-residential-solar-installers-for-fraudulent-practices/
- https://www.eenews.net/articles/texas-attorney-general-targets-rooftop-solar-2/
- https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2026/04/03/state-investigates-solar-companies-over-claims-of-deceptive-savings-contracts/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ2AkdOw9mU
- https://abc13.com/post/texas-attorney-general-ken-paxton-investigates-solar-panel-companies-fight-fraud/18848992/
