Solar developer SPI Energy announced that its wholly owned subsidiary SolarJuice American has acquired a list of consumer contracts of Petersen-Dean, previously one of the largest privately-held roofing and solar companies in the United States. Petersen-Dean filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 2020.
Petersen-Dean (also branded as PetersenDean and Solar4America) was generating over $300 million in sales annually with favorable profit margins before its bankruptcy announcement. The company attributed its financial woes to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our acquisition of these consumer contracts could save thousands of U.S. jobs that were in jeopardy following Petersen-Dean’s Chapter 11 filing in June 2020. This is also a major win for us as we work to accelerate our penetration in the vast U.S. markets and create better renewable products and services for American residential customers,” stated Xiaofeng Peng, Chairman and CEO of SPI Energy.
Founded in 1984, Petersen-Dean was one of the nation’s largest independently owned solar and roofing companies that specialized in new residential construction. At its peak, the company employed nearly 3,000 solar and roofing employees in nine states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Nevada, Oklahoma and Texas.
According to Solar Power World records, Petersen-Dean performed solar installations in 2019 in California, Hawaii, Nevada and Texas. The large majority of installations came in California, after the company took advantage of the mandate in the state for all new home construction to come with solar. In 2018, Petersen-Dean acquired Hawaii’s largest solar installation company Haleakala Solar, and Hawaii had become Petersen-Dean’s second largest solar market.
Petersen-Dean customers with questions about their warranties or contracts can contact the company at customercare@petersendean.com or 1-800-564-0362.
Aug 2021 update: SolarJuice asked us to clarify that it did not take on existing PetersenDean contracts but instead purchased a list of contracts from PD.
Contrary to what most of the others have said regarding Michael Lecesse, I strongly disagree. We had a partially completed job by petersen dean, found this article here on Nov. 3rd, and was so excited for a end to our awful solar install experience thus far. Called and scheduled for Nov. 13th, Mike came out and said he fixed the corrections from our last inspection. He said it should take about a month from then to get everything completed and we would be up and running. After that, i would inquire bimonthly, half the time not getting a response, the other half a text stating how busy he’s been and that my final inspection was his primary direction in the upcoming week.
Now, we are 4 months later, and he has not responded to my last texts, and we are in limbo again. I know we are not the only ones, but it sure is a huge disappointment. I remember how excited we were about joining the solar world, that was over 3 years ago. What a nightmare!!
I encourage everyone victimized to post to any and all media related to solar companies.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/is-sunpro-solar-the-best-solar-installer-everything-you-need-to-know/ar-AAUBjHP?ocid=msedgntp
It is unacceptable to allow these thieves to reform under new names to victimize new customers.
Agree, but Sunpro Solar has no relation to PetersenDean or SolarJuice
If Jim Petersen is in business with solar with another company, that should not be allowed and he should be charged with fraud.
All the Solar companies do is change names and they get to rip off customers and employees again. Jim Petersen the founder of Petersen-Dean is now the main consultant of Momentum Solar with his wife. Jim’s brother Joe Petersen is a VP at Pheonix Exteriors another roofing and solar company. The COO of Petersen-Dean Marc Vogel is now at SunPro solar. SolarJuice is having financial issues already they are selling there own products and most of the employees have resigned because Solarjuice is cutting there pay again after they cut pay because they offered employees stock in the place of salary on the company prior to there IPO and still haven’t as an audit is being done they have now begun to not pay employees and vendors. Buyer beware
Hello Based on what I’m reading in these comments we’re luckier than most. We signed up with PD 8/19. We contracted for roof, upgraded electrical panel, and solar. PD did roof and the panel. They went into bankruptcy before the solar panels were installed. Taking a big chunk of our money with them. I call us lucky because PD did pay the roofer and electrical sub contractors before they went belly up. We haven’t received a cancellation email yet. We’re in limbo wondering what the company intends to do. If anything.
Hats off to Michael Lecesse! My Solar Edge inverter went down. I saw his name and number in these comments and thought I’d call him. To my surprise, he promptly got back to me and remotely diagnosed my Inverter problem, filed an RMA with Solar Edge and I now have the replacement inverter sitting in my office waiting for a local installer to put it in. Michael was tremendously helpful and effective…and did all of this for me for free! I offered to pay him. I only wish he was up in the Bay Area as I’d like to give him more business and expand my system. Any of you had Petersen Dean systems that are giving you problems would be lucky to have him on your side. He is really a fantastic resource!
He can be reached at 909 855 1528.
Does anyone have a working contact number?
Selling a home that has petersendean solar panels and need to transfer ownership to new owners.
I wanted to give Michael a shout out. Called and emailed him and he came out the same day to check out my system. I have a panel that has been out since July, no response from PetersonDean, so when I saw they were out and SolarJuice in and not honoring contracts… mine is from 2015. I called him. He was able to get my system up and running even when SCE had tripped all of my 30 inverters while testing my meter. It took about 6 hours to get 29 out of 30 back up and running and putting my electrical usage into reverse again. Since the panel that is down is under warranty from the manufacturer, Michael and his crew are going to get that going so I will have fully functioning system again. Thank you so much for your quick response and your explanations to help me understand my system better and setting up the repair. Michael went above and beyond, so give him a call if you have any issues. He would definitely get 5 star if available here.
Do you have Michael’s info cell and email
I have Petersendean installed solar panels. I called or sent e-mails to the companies listed in the bankruptcy article and no one replied. My system was offline. I called Michael Lecesse and he came out and did some diagnostic work and put the system back on line.
If you are a Petersendean customer with no recourse, I suggest you contact Mike at(909) 556-0147. He will be able to help you.
Hello again,
If you are in the Socal area and can’t get help with your PetersenDean system or just don’t know where to turn. Please email me or call I can help with your system or at least get you going in the right direction.
909-855-1528 or 909-556-0147 or email me with some info as to what is going on with your system and a day and time I can come by and take a look. michael@resolvesolarcleaning.com
Michael,
I had a solar system installed by Petersen-Dean in late 2019 and i’m having issues with the SolarEdge inverter not conneting to my WiFi from time to time so i would like for you to check it out. I have tried in the past to reset the whole system which seems to clear the issue but this time i have recycled the inverter several times and still it will not connect to my home WiFi network.
Today’s email…
CANCELLATION NOTICE
Petersen-Dean, Inc., along with its affiliates/subsidiaries including James Petersen Industries, Inc. and PD Solar (collectively “PetersenDean”) have been proud to be in business serving their communities for the past 37 years. In June of 2020, following the onset of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, PetersenDean filed for Chapter 11 reorganization bankruptcy. In February of 2021, PetersenDean’s assets were sold through the bankruptcy to SolarJuice American, Inc. (“SolarJuice”). This sale included the assumption of certain limited identified contracts. However, this sale did not include PetersenDean’s ongoing liabilities, nor did it include assumption of all of PetersenDean’s existing contracts.
Following this sale of its assets, PetersenDean will eventually be wound down and dissolved. As part of that process, a liquidating trust will be established that will be handling PetersenDean’s outstanding liability claims on a pro-rata basis.
✔️✔️✔️Unfortunately, PetersenDean’s contract for your project was not assumed by SolarJuice. SolarJuice is not responsible for any outstanding charges or refund claims attributable to PetersenDean on unassumed contracts.
If you have a claim, it can be submitted to the liquidating trust for resolution. The liquidating trust has not yet been established but is expected to be created within the next 90 days. For additional information on the status of PetersenDean’s bankruptcy, including the forthcoming establishment of the liquidating trust, please see the below website which includes PetersenDean’s bankruptcy docket filings. https://dm.epiq11.com/case/petersendean/dockets
Cancellations Department
SolarJuice American, Inc.
Cancellations@SolarJuiceAmerica.com
I just received this email today from solar juice. I was very frustrated with pd, they installed my roof Nov 2019. They were supposed to install the solar right after the roof but nothing. 2020 and the pandemic hit. I’ve followed up numerous times with pd and even spoke to my original sales rep, he suggested I just cancel the contract. Few months later they announced their bankruptcy then due to the pandemic I guess the contract automatically gets voided anyways. I had Tesla install my solar last Nov 2020. It was much cheaper than what pd quoted me by 5k. I’m grateful I did not give them any money.
I left a message for Solar Juice regarding my battery. The person that got back to me left a voicemail. He said that Solar Juice does not hold any responsibility for PD’s warranties. They can come out to do a diagnosis, but there is a truck as well as the fee to fix. Sorry, I don’t trust them either. I am so angry that people can screw you over and not take any responsibility. Start with the class action lawsuit if you can.
Hello,
I’m sorry all of you are going through this. If your in Socal and are having issue with your system I may be able to help. I am a certified solar service technician going on 12yrs. I have multiple certs from LG, Tesla, Solaredge, and Enphase. Basically I’ve worked on just about every system out there. Please reach let me see what I can do for you.
michael@resolvesolarcleaning.com or 909-855-1528
Did you ever get your system fixed or get ahold of solar juice. If your in socal I may be able to help you.
Oops ! I commented earlier on my system, I actually got it in 2019, on the one install the only problem was the system was rated at 9.0 kw and my inverter is rated 7.6. Seems like a bait and switch? But I have been lucky on the system working well. Just the roof leaking is the only issue so far.
In the same boat as the rest of you. When we got our system back in 2018, they convinced us it would be better to also purchase a battery backup ($10K) in case of power outages. Since we experienced extended blackouts before and the fact we need to keep out insulin cool, we did. Now I have a battery that is not working and only found out this morning the P&D went belly up. No notification at all since they filed. What the hell gives? Anyway, calls to P&D’s number just goes to voice mail (and now I know why). Called the number for P&D’s bankruptcy hotline and gave them my info. Whether or not I get a call back who knows. Need to know what’s going on with my battery. One possible solution my wife and I are exploring is getting in touch with another solar company to have them check it out.
Hello,
If you are located in the Socal area I can help, I am LG and Tesla certified. I have been trying to help as many PetersenDean customers as possible.
Please give me a call at 909-855-1528
We have lost our 25 yr warranty. One of our panels may need to be replaced. No response from Peterson & Dean and/or Solar Juice. If there is any group action, please contact us as well.
contacted solar juice american…..no response
I received an email today . The email stated that solarjuice will not assume our contract and we have to file a claim to get funds from Petersen Dean after they liquidate .
I haven’t gotten a letter yet like you did. But I’m waiting for Solar Juice to contact me to finish the solar project. 1/2 deposit made no equipment at time of contract. They said they will finish the solar project but when? I keep getting g the delays and run around from Becky Norton/Customer Care at Solar Juice.
Plus, PD did a terrible job replacing our roof. It has leaks at the entrance door area that has been paid in full. Im not sure Solar Juice will pay fir that so im getting a roofing company to fix the leaks out of pocket. I don’t want to have a leaky roof this come this Winter. Has to be fixed before any solar panels go it anyways. I feel taken and stuck with nothing from them at this point.
I received the same e-mail today. Took me engaging the BBB to get any sort of a response from them. I’m beyond angry. I’m sure we’ll get pennies on the dollar.
Shari. What did the BBB say to you?
I keep emailing Solar Juice customer care and Becky Norton director of customer care, I was getting responses earlier in the year, but now nothing.
Just sent another email today to them. Looks like My 1/2 deposit for solar (PetersenDean) has been taken from me.
I was told they would finish the solar project, but it seems like that’s not the case now. I’m so frustrated.
Becky Norton fled SolarJuice in Aug 2021 and joined Sunrun solar according to her public linked in profile. There are new customer support ‘juniors’ who are now replying to emails like they never said they would scheduling our paid but uninstalled solar project. I will continue to escalate until I hear the answer to this question:
a) if we paid for our equip/install of solar before PD bankruptcy, and SPI purchased their assets…then why were OUR assets (illegally) sold to them?
Please pursue media opportunities to shame SPI as much as PD…they have chosen the path of greed as a response to PD’s incompetent victimization of their cusomers.
We are still waiting on our solar install and no longer getting a response from Becky Norton at Customer care. We signed our contract on 8/16/19 and still no solar panels. We are stuck. Still no able to go with another company or get our money back. Considering consulting with an attorney. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Hi Linda, I’m in the same spot. Paid lots of money and nothing to show for it. Have you obtained an attorney yet? I live in the Bay Area of California, and if you had an attorney, would it be better if a group of us went together with the same attorney? I wonder if Small Claims Court would work? Any ideas? I’m thinking I need to do more, all the phone calls, & email do not seem to be working.
Thank you
Jenel
I’m in the same position. Signed contract in August of 2019. Paid 90% of the project in October 2019 and then they never installed it. Becky Norton does not respond to my inquiries. We all have been so burned by PD. I’m considering consulting an attorney.
I am in the very same boat as many of you. I am no longer able to get responses from Becky at SolarJuice/PetersenDean. I paid 90% of my contract in January 2020, with absolutely nothing to show for it. I’d be interested in a group attorney, as well. I know I saw a list of sold contracts at one point in time (because I remember confirming I was on it), but I can’t seem to find it. Seems a large number of us would be interested in legal action.
Hi Shari, we are in the same position as a number of other PD customers. We paid for our solar installation in full by December 2019 to get the 30% federal rebate and had reached the point in the process where we had the permit from PG&E to begin the solar panel installation by March of 2021. Then PD filed bankruptcy and then we got into the nightmare of having our phone calls to Solar Juice’s customer service number ignored fro well over a year now. So yes, we would be willing to join with other victims of their scam to hire an attorney to go after these scumbags. We’re out $17,000 that we really want to get back so we can get a legitimate solar company to install solar panel system for us.
Same here…
I keep emailing Solar Juice customer care and Becky Norton director of customer care, I was getting responses earlier in the year, but now nothing.
Just sent another email today to them. Looks like My 1/2 deposit for solar (PetersenDean) has been taken from me.
I was told they would finish the solar project, but it seems like that’s not the case now. I’m so frustrated.
i think the juditial system in U.S.A. have lots of unjustified problems, and a big one is one the company filles for chapter 11 they are out of responsabilitties , but after 7 years they can get again in bussiness and doing the sameting !
Bought the house back in 2016 in Fairfield , CA with pre-installed solar panels (6) with 1.5 kw output and Fronius Galvo inverter installed by Petersen-Dean as well as roofing from them. Output has been dismal and still had to pay electricity to PG&E. Just two days ago my system shut down with no output now. Emailed PD and got a confusing response from the new company that they don’t cover anything and was not part of the purchase and PD is out of business and not existing anymore! I am desperate to find out how to contact them to get warranty of my system if any! I need help now!
Petersen dean out of business but ur panels are still under manufacture warranty
Who ever manufactured your panels can help you.
We’re in the same boat here we have 39 panels as of March 2021 not producing solar energy so it’s like I’m just paying for electricity pre panels.
I did Contact a Company called Solor Negotiators I mean I will have to purchase a package deal that includes checking out why my panel box keeps say waking up. Good thing about that is the package deal comes with two cleanings of panels.
We’re very upset we are loyal costumers who called PD to purchase 39 panels for $35K and. a year and half later no letter no phone call that we were going to have to help each other find answers.
Good luck to you on this our hearts go out to you
Trying to find my paperwork. But do you know who manufactures the panels?
So I definitely picked the wrong solar company! PD promised that the wattage would cover my bill. I paid over 5k on TOP of my solar payments each year. My inverter went out months ago too and I had to pay for someone to fix it. PD put the wrong inverter for my system. So I can say that I am paying 11k a year for power on a system that is not what I was promised. The KW production is crap, the inverter is crap, and now I’m paying double for power. Any ideas???
peterson dean are crocks they promise everything , on outside panel the output said operating power 4.320 watts since the beganing never reach more than 2.000 watts and know we get stock with this , no warranty i get P.D. because they here also ruffers and i someting hapens to the roof they can fix repair !
Same story here with inverter NOT working and has NOT produced since September 2020!!!! Total BS good people with good intentions for the world to go solar get screwed by companies who decide they’ve made enough money and can retire!
I have also called for customer service for an Error code 18xB7 HW Error on the screen.
Please post any updates on when new company steps up!
I’m pretty sure New company cut off all signal to all systems so when they do come around to finally help they will be able to collect more money
Hi Celia,
Do you know what the error was? Having same issues here. Still no answer from solarjuice. Still waiting for technician to check it. Thanks-Elaine
I think it’s very unfortunate and criminal that these company’s get away with making a fortune off hard working people that are doing the right thing in life. I too had Petersendean put a roof and solar on my house. Most of my reason for choosing was for the warranty. I am not having any issues and am thankful for it!! I had to ride them constantly to keep them going forward to complete the job. Fortunately I am like a dog with a bone. It is also crazy that the CEO for solar juice is a fugitive. Looks like he has conned money out of people before. I got this information from John who on March 2 posted an article attached to this story about him. How does this does this happen. Sounds like law enforcement should be considering charging these wrong doers with criminal acts
Contact a company called Solor Negotiators they will be able to help you and file claims solar panels are still covered under manufacture warranty is what I was told good luck to you and I’m happy to hear you are not having issues I hope it stays that way
Hi Cindy, do you happen to have the contact info for Solar Negotiators?
Petersen dean installed new roof snd installed 26 solar panels with a backup system, all this came with guarantees for 15 years and 35 years on the roof.
We have been very lucky as everything works well since installed in 2019. But reading comments I’m wondering if and we have a problem, where we would get help
Thank god you are not having issues
Maybe they just haven’t gotten to ur system just yet
And make you lose signal.
FYI there will be no one to turn to for help with PD or who ever bought them out.
You most likely will deal with a new Solar company and I highly recommend Solar Negotiators I found them on google for my area
I worked for PetersenDean for many years. The same thing happened when Peterson Dean bought out mc solar engineering. If you’re desperate and need help you could always call Citadel Roofing and solar. You will still have to pay for the service but at least they’re reliable and cover the same basic areas as PetersenDean did
After selecting Petersen-Dean to install our solar system in late 2019, and 2 weeks away from starting the installation everything stopped. We paid in advance over 85% of the total contract and it is now over 15 months with no idea if we will ever recover our money or get solar panels installed.
Appreciate an indication of what to expect. Have called, left messages, send e-mails without an idea of what is next!!!!
Call the bank who financed ur system you will be able to stop paying until all is resolved
He is not worthy, he is not worth the stress… I’m quite sure he is still within the loop I know for a fact he is there’s no way he just up and left Peterson Dean okay one thing you have to remember is you cannot pull fraud on people and hide behind the corporate veil so do your homework and look into the law you can get them shut his company down for good with a true bankruptcy because he owes all of us he goes around 2 months before he falls bankruptcy and takes 32,000 from. One couple took 18,000 from my 74 year old father and it looks like he’s got hundreds of people that he went around collecting the money and he was collecting more than 10% so that’s right there call the contractor State licensing Board his behavior is malicious it’s not just that he couldn’t afford to do my father’s solar or your solar it’s that he tried to gather as much money as he could he’s asleep okay so look into the law it’s on your side as long as you realize your status and standing in the scenario you’re not a victim and he is not broke…
Hi Everybody –Just a note on Service –We had this system installed about 8 years ago and one of the Inverter panels was done (for a while) —- we contacted Avatar Solar (we are located in Thousand Oaks, CA) ——-and Falgun Dave did a Great job –came out and in a few hours the panel was bak up and working ——-We have the Fronius equipment installed. We recemmend this company to help.
Here is their Info:
805-813-9946
543 Country Club Drive #B528
Simi Valley, CA 93065
Falgun Dave
falgun@avatarsolar.com
Kelly we actually got his name from your article –Thank you very much
Bankruptcy attorneys Fox Rothschild LLP (Counsel for the Debtor) provided the Petersen Dean Bankruptcy Hotline #855.907.2085 . After selecting the option indicating you’re a customer, you can listen to a message stating Petersen Dean is restructuring NOT liquidating. Press zero to pass the messaging and be connected to a real call center rep. The reps provide information on the bankruptcy but will take your contact information at forward it to a Petersen Dean rep. I’m not holding my breath and hope to receive a call back. I was given a website for information on the bankruptcy: dm.epiq11.com/petersendean. Wishing everyone the best of outcomes. I went with Petersen Dean because they were an established local company.
I’m worried my house will be damaged, roof is leaking from solar Petersen Dean installed, please contact me.
I THINK WE HAVE ALL BEEN TAKEN FOR A VERY EXPENSIVE RIDE!
There has to be a smart lawyer somewhere willing to take this on and file a class action suits.
I agree. I contracted with Petersen Dean for additional panels and Tesla battery. No work done and PD took my credit line and we have nothing. Now have Err message on our existing panels and no call back from SolarJuice. Customer service. This is criminal! Is there a class action?
I entered into contract with PetersonDean for solar in August 2019!!!! I have an outstanding loan balance and no solar? This is criminal. They took the money and went ghost, well before Covid hit. How do I get help?
https://www.yicaiglobal.com/news/jiangxi-ex-richest-man-is-now-a-fugitive-accused-of-appropriating-funds
As consumers we need assistance in finding someone at PetersenDean or a company that can help us with issues with our solar panels. The numbers listed on this story and numbers listed in all other websites are not good numbers. We read the Solar4America is taking over PetersenDean but the contact number for them is the PetersenDean contact number there for we can’t get a hold of them either. We need help!!!
We had our roof, solar panels and skylight tubes from them and i need help with the skylight tube. Who are we going to contact to since nobody is answering the phone line? what will happen to our warranty plus need help with our solar panels not producing enough energy???? Help!
Apparently my inverter has gone out that is only a year and a half old. Was told that I have to go to another company now. They provided a list. I called and the soonest appointment is at least two weeks out. Oh and we are now responsible for all labor costs. A diagnosis of $375 and if it’s the inverter $700 install! I still owe $10,000 on the panels and now have an electric bill on the grid plus labor on any repairs! Guess we paid big bucks for a warranty that is now voided!!
try another company
the inverter is still warranted
and the inverter company pays them so
you are clearly being overcharged
also check with your state electrical over-site board as they may have set aside funds for this situation from the contractors insurance and fees that licensed contractors are required to have and still applies even if they go out of business
We can’t get any information out of PetersenDean and SolarJuice American. We paid PD/Solar4America $45 grand for our system and zero info.
I would like to just know if the chapter 11 is final. We had contracted with Petersen/Dean in August of 2019, were promised if we paid in full we would have installation before the end of year. Nothing, by May of 2020 we were issued a cancelled contract letter with promise to refund in full. I try to follow the bankruptcy but since the sell cannot tell if this is ongoing and I cannot sue until it’s final since they are under protection of chapter 11. Is there any way to find this information?
Everyone I have just been advised by my local electricity company to contact the better business Bureau I’m located in Fresno Ca
They sure can’t blame the weather on my I’m not producing! That’s for sure
Our PURCHASED & FINANCED system stopped generating on 3/19/2021 good luck to you all.
As I start my
1.) phone call to BBB
2.) DCU bank
3.) back to BBB
same old story. I cant get help from anyone. my system has not produced any electricity for about 9 months. I have $21,000 invested in a system that is not working and have no one to turn to. help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have been trying to get help for months.Called dozen of times ,e-mailed ,searched internet! I don’t understand how it can be so hard to get help from companies that made millions.Why they don’t stand behind their word.!
There’s no one answering the phone at 1-800-564-0362
I need to know about our warranty. Who will contact us or who do I contact and dare we going to get new paperwork regarding this and will the warranty change?
Contact information is included in the story.
I have the same concern about the roof warranty, as you said it’s in the story but where is it or where to look? I been trying to call and did email but nothing happened? Please help…. thank you
Hello, the number provided in the story is not a valid number. No one picks up. Our invertor is also out and we also need assistance but can’t get a hold of anyone. Are there any updates since you posted your story?
I am so sorry, but I don’t have any further updates.
Contact information is no good
Yeah they give contact info that you have to leave a message on and then they just email you and tell you that your account was not part of the purchase. What a load of crap. This proved American Made is not always better. All companies involved are criminals plain and simple. You all took our hard earned money and ran. Every one of us should have been sent a letter informing us of the hearing date for bankruptcy so we could attend. THIS IS CRIMINAL. How do you sleep at night knowing you have robbed thousands of people. I hope karma catches up with all of you involved!!!!!