North Carolina has rapidly become one of America’s leading solar states, with thousands of homeowners harnessing the sun to power their lives. This incredible growth, however, has created a complex and often confusing environment for consumers. The rules governing how you get compensated for your solar power are changing, and many homeowners are being sold systems based on outdated promises.
When a new solar system fails to deliver the promised savings, it can be devastating. Understanding your rights within North Carolina’s specific regulatory framework is the first step toward a resolution. If you feel you’ve been misled and are searching for an attorney to sue a solar company in North Carolina, this guide will walk you through the key issues that can define your case.
The Biggest Challenge: Navigating Duke Energy’s Changing Solar Programs
For years, North Carolina operated on a simple “net metering” system. Today, the landscape is much more complex, with new “Time-of-Use” (TOU) rates and bridge rates. This is the single biggest source of confusion and misrepresentation in the state.
A dishonest salesperson might show you a proposal with savings calculated using old, more favorable net metering rates. However, if your system was installed after the policy changed, your actual savings could be much lower. Under the new TOU rates, the value of your solar energy depends not just on how much you produce, but when you produce it. Power sent to the grid during “peak” hours is worth more than power sent during “off-peak” hours. A system that was not designed to optimize for these new rates can lead to disappointing utility bills and is a prime area for disputes.
Your Shield: The Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act
North Carolina’s General Statutes Chapter 75 provides your primary legal protection against corporate misconduct. This powerful law prohibits “unfair or deceptive acts or practices.” In a solar dispute, this is the main tool an attorney will use to hold a company accountable for the promises they made during the sales process. This can include:
- Misrepresenting Your Savings: Using outdated utility rates or unrealistic production estimates to promise that your power bill will be eliminated.
- False Advertising: Claiming that the solar panels or inverters are of a higher quality or brand than what was actually installed.
- Non-Disclosure of Contract Terms: Failing to clearly explain the terms of a solar lease, including annual payment escalators, or not being transparent about the total cost of a solar loan after dealer fees are included.
Licensing and Workmanship: Who Is on Your Roof?
In North Carolina, solar installation is considered electrical work and requires a proper license from the State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors. Shoddy workmanship, such as improper wiring, faulty connections, or a leaking roof caused by poorly sealed mounts, is not just poor service—it’s a failure to meet professional standards and can be a violation of the contractor’s licensing obligations. Documenting these physical failures is a critical part of building a comprehensive case.
Your Next Step: An Expert Analysis of Your NC Solar Contract
Successfully navigating a solar dispute in North Carolina requires a deep understanding of the evolving utility tariffs and the state’s powerful consumer protection laws. It’s not enough to know your system isn’t working as promised; you have to prove why, and how it violates the law.
This is where our service provides critical value. Our case review process for North Carolina clients focuses heavily on auditing the sales proposal against the complex realities of Duke Energy’s current rate structures. We identify where you were misled, document the financial impact, and create a powerful case file before connecting you with the most qualified attorney to sue a solar company in North Carolina who is prepared to fight for your rights.