Leaving Customers Abandoned
The Florida solar energy market has become a wasteland of failed solar contractors, leaving countless customers with incomplete or non-functional solar installations. Whether due to poor business practices, financial instability, or outright bankruptcies, these companies have left homeowners searching for help to get their systems working as promised. If you’ve been abandoned by one of these companies, we can help.
Companies big and small, local and distant, have been dropping out of the Southwest Florida market. We expected many of the big companies to fail when the market turned downward, but are surprised that even local companies here haven’t stayed afloat. Local companies are best positioned to serve their neighbors, but some tried to grow too quickly to chase dollar signs. We stayed true to our roots and only serve our Southwest Florida market.
Fortunately, most companies in Florida have been offering the same equipment brands for years, so taking over abandoned customers and systems is mostly seamless as long as the manufacturers are still around.
Notable Solar Companies That Have Ceased Operations in Florida
Here is a list of solar contractors that were once doing a lot of business in Southwest Florida:
- ADT Solar: Once a prominent player in the residential solar market, ADT Solar installed many systems in Southwest Florida with varying degrees of workmanship. They bought SunPro in a move I never understood and started selling aggressively. That’s no surprise for the home security company, who often sent people door to door to get sales leads.
- Titan Solar: Titan installed many solar energy systems statewide. From the beginning, we heard of long waits for service after the sale, which did not bode well for their continued success. I think that other sales firms subcontracted them to install solar as well. They were focused on sending out crews from long distances and did average quality work.
- Efficient Home Services (EHS): Famous for bundling other products like insulation and totally worthless “power factor correction devices,” EHS came from north of here and left a trail of disappointed customers. I can’t tell you how many people I run into who have no idea what they bought or how to monitor their systems.
- Atlantic Key Energy (AKE): This is another company that sold fraudulent power factor correction devices, and they even put their own brand on them. I was shocked when I saw how many permits they were being issued, driven by those annoying door knockers that have become so prevalent in the industry.
- Xando Solar: For a while there, Xando seemed like a local option that could be trusted to focus on quality installations and local service. I believe they tried to grow quickly and sent crews far and wide chasing business, only to find out how hard it is to service people statewide. There are also reports of numerous roof leak issues from poorly trained installers.
- BlueChip Energy: It’s been a while, but this company failed when it was caught red-handed selling solar panels with fraudulent UL Listings through its Advanced Solar Photonics (ASP) subsidiary.
- Lumio: Oh, Lumio. I ran into a customer with an unfinished system and he wanted consultation and oversight while Lumio finished the job. Lumio had been subcontracted by a sales outfit, and they sent two completely unqualified “kids” to finish the job. They showed up without the required parts (even though I warned them in advance). And in the end, we had to kick them to the curb and finish it ourselves. That was our first run-in with them, and seeing their workmanship since then, it’s no surprise they are out of business.
- 3D Solar: This was one of the first companies that started showing up in Southwest Florida from the Tampa area, and why we started sounding alarm bells early about hiring an out-of-town solar contractor. There was no way they were going to effectively service clients after the sale, and their work quality was highly suspect.
- Powur Solar: Not really an installation company, but more like a pyramid scheme, according to many. Powur tried to build a community of sales ambassadors. Bad business model for a contracting trade in my opnion.
- Florida Solar Solutions: I hired someone who worked here briefly, and what he told me was unconscionable. As a good solar installer who knew better, he had to get out ASAP. Unfortunately, I later had to witness firsthand and correct some of the clownish wiring practices and correct them for clients. MC4 connectors used to splice THWN wire? Sure, why not. Haha. Funny / not funny.
- MC Solar and Roofing: We don’t know much about this company, but they installed some solar here is Southwest Florida and they are no longer around.
- SunPower: Technically, this is not a solar installer, but it is worth mentioning. SunPower sold solar panels through it’s authorized dealer network, and now that the brand is defunct, many of those system owners are left looking for service.
There are many more. These are just some of the notable companies that were doing significant business in Southwest Florida that are no longer around.
Why the Florida Solar Market is Struggling
The recent wave of company failures is largely due to poor business practices, including high-pressure sales tactics, misrepresentation of potential savings, and over-promising what their systems can do. Customers who trusted these companies now face incomplete installations, malfunctioning systems, and financial losses.
As interest rates increased, companies reliant on selling a low payment through predatory (my opinion) solar loans were faced with fewer people seeing the benefits.
The political climate, economic challenges, and consumer confidence have all impacted solar sales recently as well.
It’s Not all Bad News
We are seeing a huge influx of the “right” customers who understand what a solar investment looks like. These are the people who can and should be buying solar panels rather than the people who were sold a bill of goods by door knocking charlatans in the industry.
Battery backup sales are through the roof, as people with solar panels want to add batteries, and new solar clients see the benefit of having seamless power during utility outages. There are many systems out there installed by others that have good workmanship and are easily retrofitted. If your system has issues, we can address those while upgrading you to battery backup.
How We Can Help Abandoned Solar Clients
If you’ve been affected by the closure of a solar company, you don’t have to go it alone. We specialize in servicing orphaned solar systems and getting them up and running again. Whether it’s system maintenance, repairs, or simply completing the work that was left unfinished, we can help ensure your solar investment isn’t lost.
We can also provide warranty services like inverter swaps, panel warranties, and other warranty-related service. We can coordinate parts warranties with various manufacturers. If labor reimbursement is available, that can help offset our service charges.
Steps to Take if Your Solar Contractor Went Out of Business
- Contact a Reliable Solar Professional: Reach out to a trusted solar provider who can assess your system and provide solutions.
- Review Your Warranty and Contracts: Even if your installer is out of business, you may still have options for warranty coverage.
- File a Complaint: If your installer engaged in deceptive practices, consider filing a complaint with the Florida Attorney General’s Office or the Federal Trade Commission.
Continuously Growing List of Failed Solar Contractors
This is not a complete list, and unfortunately, the number of solar companies going out of business in Florida will continue. We will update this page as more companies file for bankruptcy or close their doors. If your solar contractor has gone out of business and left you with an unfinished or faulty system, or if you just need service, contact us today for assistance.
While many companies in the Florida solar industry have struggled, we are committed to helping customers get the reliable, high-quality service they deserve. Don’t let your solar investment go to waste—let us help you pick up the pieces and get your system running smoothly.
