California homeowners now enjoy new rights under a new law championed by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) that went into effect on Jan. 1, 2019. The intent of Assembly Bill 1070 is to protect consumers looking to invest in solar power while discouraging unethical practices from the dishonest solar power companies.
“Homeowners will have more confidence when they shop for rooftop solar energy because of this new consumer protection,” Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez said, “As more Californians look toward residential solar energy systems to cut their monthly bills and do their part in fighting climate change, we should make sure homeowners are protected from being gouged by unscrupulous actors.”
Assemblywoman Gonzalez introduced AB 1070 in 2016 at the height of the solar market. There were 765 companies that did solar in San Diego alone that year. While the number of companies doing solar has decreased, the solar industry remains very saturated, especially in San Diego where electricity rates are often one of the highest in the nation and there are regular reports of certain solar companies misleading consumers.
AB 1070 directed the California State License Board (CSLB) to create a one-page disclosure to accompany every solar power system contract. Assemblywoman Gonzalez pushed for the disclosure to be available in multiple languages, arguing all Californians should be offered important documents in their native languages.
The law also makes the Department of Consumer Affairs responsible for resolving complaints against solar companies and for overseeing residential rooftop solar energy providers so that a process is in place to resolve consumer disputes for the solar industry.
Another consumer protection reform taking effect later in 2019 will require solar companies to upload a signed contract as part of the interconnection application for residential customers and require utilities to validate their CSLB license with each application. The CSLB website offers a search feature that makes it easy for potential solar customers to verify a solar company’s license.
“We are honored and proud to have worked with Assemblywoman Gonzalez on the Solar Consumer Protection Bill, which will result in more solar advocates, moving us away from fossil fuels,” said Daniel Sullivan, founder and president of Sullivan Solar Power, a San Diego-based company using union electricians who has been in business nearly 15 years, “For most families, solar power is less expensive than staying with their utility, however, education is needed for families to get the facts to make an informed decision about going solar.”
Many local homeowners continue to express interest in solar but are unsure who to trust. This is why Sullivan Solar Power has teamed up with dozens of nonprofits including Climate Action Campaign, Sierra Club San Diego, SanDiego350, Surfrider Foundation San Diego, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 569 (IBEW569) and many more to present the San Diego Solar Experience Kick-Off event on Feb. 9. The event includes county-wide educational solar seminars which will cover how solar and energy storage work, the sunsetting federal tax credit, solar financing options, upcoming San Diego Gas & Electric rate changes and more. Events will be taking place in Chula Vista, Ramona, Carlsbad and at IBEW in San Diego. For more details and to RSVP, visit www.sdsolarexperience.org.
News item from Sullivan Solar Power
Farrokh Keyvan says
Hi:
A few years ago I had Solarmax install solar panels on the roof of my home. The did the design and installation. Instead of leasing they recommended I buy the system and assured me that the money I would save would offset the costs.
From the very start the system did not work the way it was described and not only I pay for the power to DWP I pay them for a system that really does nothing. When I tried to get out of the deal, they would not let me and said that we have a contract.
Recently ( couple of years ago ), I noticed leaks on my roof that my roofer said it was because of the weight of the panels. I should mention that my roof is flat and there is a clear span of 25′ +. When I approached Solarmax, they sent someone and said there’s nothing wrong. However, nails were popping thru the roofing membrane because of the weight and I did not realize this and had my roofer do the repairs so obviously nothing could be seen. Then I asked Solarmax to provide me with some structural calculations so I could send it to my engineer for review but they had none and nothing was done from the start. Frankly the system they installed is a big waste which I have to pay because of the contract. I just wanted to see if there’s anything you can help me with and at the same time make other homeowner aware of what is happening out there especially with the solar companies that promising great savings which in my opinion is a big lie.
Kevin Flannery says
My home was destroyed last month in the Fawn Fire. As a result my leased solar panel system was destroyed. The solar company has been very difficult to get a hold of. It has taken me 5 weeks of constant emails and phone calls to finally talk to a live person. What protections do I have for this? Am I obligated to continue to pay the lease when my home is destroyed? This has become the most stressful part of our loss. The Governor declared the Fawn Fire a state of emergency. Does that offer me any protection or help for this?
Tonja pranzo says
We bought a new home in lake Isabella California and got sunrun solar panels installed but they have been defective and causing issues with my titanium pins in my arm sunrun refuses to show for all scheduled appointments and refuses all phone calls and we don’t have proper documentation the one document they sent was Forged signature can someone help plz
Lee Hoover says
I am having a problem with enphase inverters I have 46 panels with 46 inverters sold to Solar Universe who installed my system. I have had 32
Inverters go bad at first they replaced the defective ones at no cost to me. Then they started sending me new replacement inverters and I had to pay for someone to install them. These are still under warranty for five more years. I thought the California Solar in Initiative Said labor is part of the warranty as labor & parts.. Right now I have 7 more bad inverters that need to be replaced.
Not sure if you can help or direct me to some one that can.
marvin Hoar says
I just added solar to my house, after completing the project and having building safety pass the competed project the department of water and power in L.A. rejected it because I had a quest house
and required a 3 phase safety socket be added and also change my meter from residential to commercial on demand meter. I as way this happen he indicated that property with 2 address would be required to go with a commercial meter that being said I only have one address. I feel that this is so wrong but it is hard to fight city hall even thought build and safety pass it the first time. That being said
is there anything that consumer protection can help me with is problem.
james Johnson says
A new law was passed in 2020 the puts a 5 year moratorium on those types of practices by the city. As of January 2020, ADUs are legal in California. The state law supersedes local city and county regulations. I think that should help you.