State Guides • 2026-04-17
Solar Fraud by State: Laws & Scams in All 50 States
State-by-state guide to solar fraud patterns, consumer protection laws, attorney general contacts, and reporting procedures. Find your state's specific solar scam risks and legal remedies.
Solar Fraud by State 2026: Complete Consumer Protection Guide
Solar fraud looks different depending on where you live. State consumer protection laws vary dramatically in their strength and remedies. This guide maps the solar fraud landscape across all 50 states — what scams are most common, which laws protect you, and where to report fraud.
Disclaimer: This article is informational, not legal advice. Consumer protection laws change; verify with your state AG.
Why State Law Matters for Solar Fraud
Solar contracts are governed by state law. The difference between winning and losing your case often depends on whether your state has:
- A strong Unfair and Deceptive Acts and Practices (UDAP) statute
- Attorney-fee-shifting provisions (the losing company pays your legal fees)
- Mandatory cooling-off periods for door-to-door sales
- Specific solar contractor licensing requirements
- Active AG enforcement against solar companies
States With the Strongest Solar Consumer Protections
| State | Key Law | Fee-Shifting | Notable Enforcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | CLRA, CSLB oversight | Yes | Multiple installer actions |
| Florida | FDUTPA | Yes | Active AG solar task force |
| Texas | DTPA | Yes | AG CID against Freedom Forever |
| South Carolina | SCUTPA | Yes | Strong contractor verification |
| Arizona | Arizona Consumer Fraud Act | Yes | ROC contractor licensing |
| Minnesota | Consumer Fraud Act | Yes | AG lawsuit vs GoodLeap, Mosaic, Dividend, Sunlight |
| Connecticut | CUTPA | Yes | AG actions vs Spruce Power, SunStrong, Bright Planet |
State-by-State Quick Reference
Alabama
- Primary scam risk: Unlicensed out-of-state installers, door-to-door sales
- Consumer law: Alabama Deceptive Trade Practices Act (limited private right of action)
- Report to: Alabama AG Consumer Protection Division
- Key tip: Verify contractor licensing — Alabama has limited solar-specific requirements
Alaska
- Primary scam risk: High installation costs, misrepresented savings due to limited sun hours
- Consumer law: Alaska Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act
- Report to: Alaska AG Consumer Protection Unit
- Key tip: Verify production estimates against actual Alaska irradiance data
Arizona
- Primary scam risk: Dealer fees, misrepresented savings, unlicensed contractors
- Consumer law: Arizona Consumer Fraud Act (strong, with fee-shifting)
- Report to: Arizona AG Consumer Protection
- Resources: Arizona Solar Fraud Guide | Contractor Verification
California
- Primary scam risk: NEM 3.0 confusion, PPA escalators, unlicensed contractors
- Consumer law: CLRA (strong), CSLB oversight
- Report to: California AG, CSLB
- Resources: California Solar Fraud Guide | CSLB Complaints
Colorado
- Primary scam risk: High-pressure door-to-door, misrepresented tax credits
- Consumer law: Colorado Consumer Protection Act
- Report to: Colorado AG Consumer Protection
Connecticut
- Primary scam risk: Lease/PPA escalator clauses, unauthorized UCC filings
- Consumer law: CUTPA (strong, active AG enforcement)
- Report to: Connecticut AG Consumer Protection
- Active enforcement: Spruce Power, SunStrong, Bright Planet Solar
Delaware
- Primary scam risk: Out-of-state installers, limited local consumer protections
- Consumer law: Delaware Consumer Fraud Act
- Report to: Delaware AG Fraud Division
Florida
- Primary scam risk: Door-to-door deception, PACE liens, hurricane-season fraud
- Consumer law: FDUTPA (strong, fee-shifting)
- Report to: Florida AG Consumer Protection
- Resources: Florida Solar Fraud Guide | FDUTPA Rights
Georgia
- Primary scam risk: Dealer-fee financing, PACE program issues
- Consumer law: Georgia Fair Business Practices Act
- Report to: Georgia AG Consumer Protection
Illinois
- Primary scam risk: Community solar scams, misrepresented savings
- Consumer law: Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act
- Report to: Illinois AG Consumer Fraud Bureau
Maryland
- Primary scam risk: Door-to-door sales, misrepresented state incentives
- Consumer law: Maryland Consumer Protection Act
- Report to: Maryland AG Consumer Protection
Massachusetts
- Primary scam risk: PPA/lease escalator clauses, system underperformance
- Consumer law: Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act (Chapter 93A — strong)
- Report to: Massachusetts AG Consumer Advocacy
Michigan
- Primary scam risk: Unlicensed contractors, misrepresented savings
- Consumer law: Michigan Consumer Protection Act
- Report to: Michigan AG Consumer Protection
Minnesota
- Primary scam risk: Dealer-fee financing, lender misconduct
- Consumer law: Minnesota Consumer Fraud Act (strong)
- Report to: Minnesota AG Consumer Protection
- Active enforcement: AG lawsuit against GoodLeap, Mosaic, Dividend, Sunlight
Nevada
- Primary scam risk: High-pressure door-to-door, solar loan fraud
- Consumer law: Nevada Deceptive Trade Practices Act
- Report to: Nevada AG Bureau of Consumer Protection
- Resources: Nevada Solar Contractor Board (NSCB)
New Jersey
- Primary scam risk: Door-to-door sales, PPA/lease disputes
- Consumer law: New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act (strong, fee-shifting)
- Report to: New Jersey AG Consumer Affairs
- Resources: New Jersey Solar Scams Guide
New Mexico
- Primary scam risk: Misrepresented savings, PPA disputes
- Consumer law: New Mexico Unfair Practices Act
- Report to: New Mexico AG Consumer Protection
New York
- Primary scam risk: Community solar enrollment fraud, PPA escalators
- Consumer law: New York General Business Law § 349 (strong)
- Report to: New York AG Consumer Frauds Bureau
- Resources: New York Solar Scams Guide
North Carolina
- Primary scam risk: PPA disputes, dealer fees, misrepresented savings
- Consumer law: North Carolina Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act
- Report to: North Carolina AG Consumer Protection
Ohio
- Primary scam risk: Door-to-door sales, PPA confusion, unlicensed contractors
- Consumer law: Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act
- Report to: Ohio AG Consumer Protection
Pennsylvania
- Primary scam risk: Door-to-door sales, misrepresented tax credits
- Consumer law: Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law
- Report to: Pennsylvania AG Bureau of Consumer Protection
South Carolina
- Primary scam risk: Contractor fraud, PACE lien issues
- Consumer law: SCUTPA (strong, fee-shifting)
- Report to: South Carolina AG Consumer Protection
- Resources: South Carolina Solar Fraud Guide | Installer Checklist
Texas
- Primary scam risk: Dealer-fee financing, unlicensed contractors, PACE liens
- Consumer law: DTPA (strong, fee-shifting)
- Report to: Texas AG Consumer Protection
- Resources: Texas Solar Fraud Resources | SB 1036
States With Emerging Solar Markets (Higher Fraud Risk)
Rapidly growing solar markets where consumer protections haven't caught up:
| State | 2024-2026 Growth | Primary Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho | High | Out-of-state installers, limited licensing |
| Indiana | Medium | Dealer-fee loans, door-to-door |
| Iowa | Medium | PPA confusion, misrepresented savings |
| Kentucky | Medium | Unlicensed contractors |
| Louisiana | Medium | Hurricane-season fraud, PACE issues |
| Mississippi | Medium | Limited consumer protections |
| Missouri | Medium | Door-to-door, PACE liens |
| Montana | Low-Medium | Out-of-state installers |
| Nebraska | Low-Medium | Limited solar-specific laws |
| Oklahoma | Medium | Dealer fees, unlicensed contractors |
| Oregon | Medium | PPA/lease escalation disputes |
| Tennessee | Medium | Door-to-door, misrepresented savings |
| Utah | High | Dealer-fee model concentration |
| Virginia | Medium | PPA disputes, door-to-door |
| Washington | Medium | PPA escalation, underperformance |
| Wisconsin | Medium | Door-to-door, contractor verification |
FAQ
Which state has the strongest solar consumer protections?
California (CLRA + CSLB licensing), Texas (DTPA with treble damages), Florida (FDUTPA), and Minnesota (active AG enforcement) lead the nation. New Jersey and Massachusetts also have strong statutes with attorney-fee-shifting.
Can I use my state's consumer protection law against an out-of-state lender?
Yes, if the lender does business in your state or the contract has a connection to your state. The financing agreement's choice-of-law clause may determine which state's law applies, but consumer protection statutes often override these clauses.
What if my state isn't listed in detail above?
Contact your state attorney general's office. Every state has some form of consumer protection law, even if enforcement varies. The FTC Holder Rule (16 CFR § 433) is federal and applies regardless of state.
How do I find out if my state AG is investigating a solar company?
Check your AG's press release page and search for the company name. AG investigations are often public. You can also search the CFPB complaint database at consumerfinance.gov.