Solar energy has the potential to revolutionize Texas’ power grid, lower costs, and provide resilience in extreme weather. But what happens when some companies selling solar systems aren’t playing fair? In this episode of the Energy Capital Podcast, I spoke with Sara DiNatale, an investigative reporter whose in-depth four-part series “In Broad Daylight” for the San Antonio Express-News uncovered disturbing scams from unethical and predatory companies.

DiNatale was honored for her work on this series as one of only 15 out of 500 entries to win the George Polk Award for “intrepid, bold and influential” reporting.

The series started with a few homeowners’ struggles but quickly exposed a larger pattern — solar systems that weren’t properly installed, homeowners left with massive loan payments for panels that didn’t work, and a lack of consumer protections to hold bad actors accountable. DiNatale detailed how some homeowners were aggressively targeted by door-to-door salespeople, pressured into signing contracts that promised energy savings but often resulted in tens of thousands of dollars in debt for non-working systems.

In Austin and San Antonio alone, 18% to 24% of solar installations failed their first inspection, meaning homeowners were left with what one expert called “expensive roof decorations.” Some systems continued to fail on second and third inspections, leaving families with long-term loans for technology that wasn’t even functional.

One of the most heartbreaking cases she covered was the Duncan family in Corpus Christi, a low-income, hearing-impaired couple sold a $100,000 system they never should have been sold. Their credit was destroyed and the installer vanished.

We also explored how some solar companies operate like multi-level marketing (MLM) schemes, recruiting young salespeople with promises of making six figures, teaching them to target elderly homeowners, and encouraging deceptive sales tactics. Some of these companies even offer cash incentives upfront to make the deal seem more appealing, without disclosing that this money is really just wrapped into the loan.

The good news? There are many great solar companies and ethical solar installers in Texas, and there are steps consumers can take to protect themselves. We talked about what consumers should look for. We also discussed legislative fixes, including a requirement that no company gets paid until an installation passes inspection, licensing standards for solar installers, and consumer protection laws to crack down on deceptive financing practices. A bill was filed by Senator Zaffirini at the Texas Legislature (SB 1036) to address many of the problems mentioned by DiNatale.

Solar remains one of the most promising energy solutions for Texas, but without proper oversight, these scams could continue to spread — especially as the demand for distributed energy grows.

This is an episode you don’t want to miss. If you or someone you know is considering solar, listen before you shop, much less sign any contracts.As always, please like, share, and leave a five-star review wherever you listen to podcasts. Thank you for being a part of this conversation!

Time Stamps

00:00 - Introduction to the Energy Capital Podcast

05:14 - The Importance of Inspections and Approvals

07:49 - Real Stories of Victims in the Solar Industry

10:26 - Legislative Solutions and Consumer Awareness

12:44 - Sales Tactics and Red Flags in Solar Companies

18:09 - The Solar Sales Landscape

21:47 - Understanding Financing and Dealer Fees

29:43 - Consumer Complaints and Industry Accountability

30:09 - Positive Actors in the Solar Industry

35:09 - Advice for Potential Solar Buyers

37:20 - Financial Considerations for Solar Energy Investment

38:53 - The Importance of Battery Storage in Solar Systems

39:47 - Challenges in the Solar Industry: Trust and Education

42:10 - Consumer Protection in the Growing Solar Market

44:01 - Regulatory Measures and Licensing in the Solar Industry

46:48 - Tracking and Accountability for Solar Sales Practices

49:31 - The Need for Consumer Guides and Resources

51:52 - Engaging with the Solar Community and Resources

Show Notes

Consumer Protection and Solar Industry Scams

* Sara DiNatale’s Four-Part Solar Investigation (San Antonio Express-News) – The full investigative series exposing deceptive solar sales tactics in Texas.

* Sara on X (Twitter)

* Texas Attorney General’s Consumer Complaints Division – Where Texas residents can report fraudulent solar companies.

* US Department of the Treasury Solar Scams Resource – Guides on avoiding deceptive home energy sales tactics.

* FTC Consumer Solar Awareness Articles - 1 & 2

Grid Reliability and Interconnection Failures

* Austin Energy Solar Program –

* CPS Energy Solar Information

* ERCOT Interconnection Process – How solar systems connect to the grid and what happens when they fail inspections.

High-Pressure Sales Tactics and Deceptive Financing

* Better Business Bureau (BBB) Solar Complaints – Reports on misleading solar sales practices in Texas.

* Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) Consumer Guide – What homeowners should look for when considering solar.

* NABCEP Solar Installer Certification – How to verify if a solar installer is certified.

Legislative Fixes and Future Protections

* Senate Bill 1036 - 89th session bill relating to the regulation of residential solar retail transactions.

* Texas Legislature Bill Tracker – The Legislature’s site for monitoring bills and hearings.

* Nevada’s Solar Consumer Protection Program – A model Texas could adopt for preventing predatory sales.

* California Solar Licensing Requirements – A look at other states’ approaches to regulating solar contractors.

Key Quotes from the Episode

* "We found Texans paying for solar panels that don’t even work, systems that failed inspections multiple times, leaving homeowners with nothing but massive loan payments." – Sara DiNatale

* "In Texas, you don’t need a license to install solar panels, which means the person drilling holes in your roof might have zero experience." – Sara DiNatale

* "This is a problem that needs urgent legislative fixes, requiring an inspection before payment is one simple way to protect homeowners." – Doug Lewin

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Know Before You Go Solar with Sara DiNatale

Energy Capital Podcast (private feed for maxwang1990@126.com)