ORLANDO, Fla. — Many people are using solar panels to go green, but the industry is becoming the next target for scammers in Florida, as Attorney General Ashley Moody says. There is a possibility that the members of the department will be in the red.
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Last year, Action 9 reported that Robert Daffendak signed a $100,000 contract with Tampa-based MC Solar to turn his home into a sun-loving energy production facility.
Other customers said they had similar problems.
Mr. Daffendak showed us that eight months after signing the contract, the panel was not working and he was not alone.
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MC Solar has an “F” rating from the Better Business Bureau.
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Attorney General Moody announced Tuesday that MC Solar is no longer operating in Florida after he said the company broke hundreds of contracts, damaged homes and falsified documents.
The Attorney General's Office has seen a 700% increase in complaints about solar installations since 2019.
“First of all, it's a rapidly growing market, and Florida is number one. But it's also a market where scams like this thrive,” Moody said.
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She announced a public information campaign called Fraud Overview – “The Dark Side of Solar Power'' to help consumers address potential problems.
She said the most common scams include misleading contracts, false promises of savings and substandard equipment.
“Do your research, compare quotes, and compare companies to make sure the person providing the actual installation services is someone with a proven track record.”
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