Suit claims solar power firms deceived customers, skirted law

[FTW]

NEW ORLEANS —

A lawsuit filed in federal court seeks class action status -- and the inclusion of as many as 2,500 homeowners who signed agreements with certain local solar power companies.

If a judge grants that status, almost any Louisiana homeowner who did business with the solar panel installation companies named in the suit could become party to the claim.

The defendants in the case are Sader Power, LLC, Sader Power Enterprises, LLC, and Griswold Power, LLC. All three are accused of operating without the proper certifications and of misleading customers about the costs and potential savings of solar energy systems.

One of the attorneys who filed the suit on behalf of Twyla and Clement Torregano, of Gentilly, told WDSU it was "the only step left" for his clients.

The filing reads, in part: "Defendants purposefully overstated the solar power savings of the equipment to the point of customers believing that they would no longer get an energy bill... The actual utility cost savings realized by the Defendants' customers are far less than advertised."

The suit continues: "Defendants do not have a Louisiana State Contractors' License with a classification of Solar Energy Equipment, in contravention of Louisiana law."

The case was filed in federal court in New Orleans on Feb. 7, just days after the WDSU I-Team sat down with Jon Sader, an officer of both Sader Power and Sader Power Enterprises, regarding questions that included the matter of licensing.

Sader said his companies (one that he describes as research driven, the other handling installations) operate within the law because Sader Power Enterprises hires other contractors to work on the projects.

"We exceed all contractor standards," he said. "Our staff of contractors and electricians with solar designations that work for us -- we purposely work with (general contractors) across the state to support general contractors and electricians, rather than license ourselves."

After the lawsuit was filed, Sader provided the following statement: "The Office of the Attorney General for Louisiana has reviewed in detail the contracts and agreements utilized by Sader Power Enterprises. We are confident that we are not in violation of any state or federal law."

A message left with a law firm representing Griswold Power has not been returned, and all of the defendants have yet to respond to the lawsuit.

https://www.wdsu.com/article/storm-dama ... g/36405138