COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has filed a lawsuit against a Utah-based residential solar panel company, alleging deceptive and high-pressure sales practices that left Ohio consumers facing higher utility bills and long-term debt instead of promised savings.
The lawsuit, filed in Franklin County Common Pleas Court, names G3 Solar, a company that sells and installs residential solar systems in Ohio and several other states. According to the complaint, G3 Solar told consumers its systems would eliminate or significantly reduce electric bills, generate enough power to offset utility costs, qualify for net metering, and save customers money over time.
“These promises didn’t match reality,” Yost said in a statement. “Instead of soaking up the sun, these consumers got burned.”
Consumers reported that their solar systems produced far less electricity than what was promised during the sales process. As a result, many homeowners say they were stuck paying both a monthly solar loan and their regular electric bill — often increasing their overall monthly expenses.
The lawsuit also alleges that G3 Solar misrepresented financing terms. According to the attorney general’s office, consumers were connected with lenders offering loans lasting 20 to 30 years, with monthly payments increasing after 18 months unless the customer made a so-called “voluntary” payment of roughly 30 percent of the system’s cost. Many consumers reported they did not fully understand the true financial obligations involved.
In addition, the lawsuit claims G3 Solar misled customers about federal solar tax credits. Some affected consumers were elderly individuals with little or no earned income, potentially making them ineligible to receive the credits they were told would significantly reduce their costs.
The attorney general’s office also alleges that G3 Solar failed to provide adequate customer support after installation. Complaints include unreturned service requests, failure to honor written warranties, and delays in addressing performance issues — with some consumers told they would need to wait a full year before the company would review system output.
The lawsuit accuses G3 Solar of violating Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act and the Home Solicitation Sales Act by using high-pressure sales tactics, making false or misleading claims about system performance and savings, misrepresenting financing, and failing to provide promised service and warranty support.
Attorney General Yost is seeking court orders to stop the alleged practices, restitution for affected consumers, and civil penalties.
