The U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced measures today aimed at addressing unfair and deceptive consumer practices in the residential solar power sector. The agencies released Consumer Advisories to help the public identify potential unfair practices and encouraged consumers to report suspicious behavior to the FTC, CFPB, or state consumer protection offices.

Additionally, these federal bodies have partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to coordinate efforts against predatory practices in this sector. This partnership aims to enhance communication between agencies and improve consumer protection.

Regulators have noted an increase in complaints over the past decade about companies pressuring consumers into predatory contracts or failing to install or activate promised solar systems. Despite previous regulatory actions, the Biden-Harris Administration remains committed to tackling these issues further.

"While skyrocketing growth of the residential solar industry is lowering costs for consumers nationwide, a small number of bad actors are taking advantage of opportunities to scam customers," said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo. "By providing new information to consumers interested in solar energy for their homes and coordinating across federal agencies to prevent scams, the Biden-Harris Administration is helping to ensure consumers who want to lower their utility bills are able to successfully do so."

"As more Americans choose to lower their utility bills by adopting solar panels, fraudsters have found a new opportunity to prey on consumers," said Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina M. Khan. "The FTC will keep working with enforcement partners across government to ensure that Americans can unlock the benefits of solar energy without getting ripped off or scammed."

"With sweltering heat across America this summer, many families are installing solar panels to save on energy costs," said Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra. "The CFPB will be scrutinizing solar lenders to make sure that Americans don't get burned."

Expanded access to affordable residential solar power is seen as crucial for reducing energy costs and offering significant benefits for households across America. Residential solar installations can potentially save tens of thousands of dollars over their lifespan.

Today's advisories from Treasury, CFPB, and FTC provide educational resources designed for consumers beginning their search for residential solar options. These resources outline various types of solar power solutions, warn about common deceptive practices, offer key questions for prospective buyers or lessees, and guide on filing complaints.

This initiative complements ongoing federal efforts aimed at consumer protection within this growing market segment.