⚠️ Updated June 2026: Sunnova filed bankruptcy June 2025, following SunPower's August 2024 bankruptcy. Both left Connecticut homeowners with non-functional systems, doubled energy bills, and no customer support. Do your research before signing.
What Happened to Connecticut Homeowners
In 2023, Montville resident Jason Pelchat signed a 25-year lease with Sunnova. Harwinton resident Michael Lyons signed with SunPower. Both systems cost over $100,000. Both homeowners describe the same outcome:
- System errors within 20 hours of activation
- Energy bills more than doubled after panels went live
- Four technician visits — then everything shut down when the companies filed for bankruptcy
- No customer service, no application support, no resolution
Lyons turned his system off entirely over safety concerns. Pelchat wants the panels removed from his roof.
How to Vet a Solar Company Before Signing
Use This Checklist Before Committing
- Check the company's financial health. Look for recent earnings reports, bankruptcy filings, and customer reviews across multiple platforms — not just the company's own website.
- Ask about service agreements. Who handles maintenance if the company is sold or goes under? Get this in writing.
- Verify local licensing. Connecticut requires electrical contractors to be licensed. Ask for license numbers and verify at CPB licensing portal.
- Understand your warranty. Equipment warranties and workmanship guarantees should be backed by a separate entity, not just the installer's promise.
- Compare actual utility rates. A legitimate company will use your actual PURA-confirmed rates (Eversource: 8.34¢/kWh; UI: 8.795¢/kWh as of May 2026) — not inflated numbers to make solar look more attractive.
CT Electricity Rates — May 2026 (PURA Confirmed)
Eversource: 8.34¢ per kWh
United Illuminating: 8.795¢ per kWh
Source: PURA confirmed rates, effective May 1, 2026. If a solar company claims rates are "much higher" than this, be skeptical.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Salespeople who pressure you to sign same-day or "limited time" offers
- Claims that rates are "much higher" than they actually are
- No clear explanation of who services the system if the company is acquired or closes
- Vague or verbal-only warranty commitments
- Leases or PPAs with early termination penalties that are difficult to calculate
Connecticut-Specific Protections
On May 6, 2026, Connecticut lawmakers passed HB 5340, extending the state's solar incentive programs through December 31, 2035. This extension gives homeowners a clear long-term window for going solar — but it does not protect homeowners from company bankruptcies.
Separately, HB 05442 (signed June 8, 2026, effective July 1, 2026) updated Connecticut's solar energy tax treatment and limits the property tax exemption for certain installations. The sales tax exemption remains.
The CT Attorney General's office is actively investigating solar company practices. If you've had a negative experience, you can file a complaint at the CT Department of Consumer Protection.
No state program protects you if the company you contract with goes bankrupt. Choosing a financially stable, locally rooted installer is the best protection available.
What Local, Transparent Solar Support Looks Like
Unlike national companies that disappear after installation, local Connecticut solar companies have roots in the community and accountability that doesn't vanish when a parent company goes under. When you work with a Connecticut-based installer, you're working with people who live and work in the same towns you do — and who have a reputation to maintain right here.
Ready to talk to someone in your area about solar — without the pressure and the risk of a company that might not be around in five years? Contact Solar Connecticut for a no-pressure conversation about your options.
Talk to Someone Who'll Still Be Here in 5 Years
We help homeowners understand their options with accurate CT-specific rates and transparent pricing — no inflated claims, no pressure.
Get a No-Pressure Solar Consultation