'Total nightmare' | Officials warn about solar scammers targeting Louisville homeowners | Local News

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville homeowners are being targeted by scammers pushing solar panel installation, according to government officials.

Tra’Nise Lloyd became a first-time home owner in July 2020.

When a salesperson offering solar panels in Nov. 2022 knocked at her door, Lloyd thought she was doing something good.

“I was like ‘why not give back to the community’ and also be green,” Lloyd said. “I listened to what they had to say, it sounded good because they told me I would get a credit on my 2022 taxes if I got the solar panels.”

The solar panels were installed in Jan. 2023, but she didn’t get the tax credit. And now she's dealing with lenders demanding payments.

“They’ve been calling constantly, I’ve been telling them to stop calling me because it’s been stressing me out and not good for my well-being and health,” Lloyd said.

She said lenders threatened to disconnect her from the system. But on July 3, it got too personal for her.

Lender note left at home — Note from a lender left to Tra'Nise Lloyd at her home in Louisville, Ky.

“I heard a banging on my door,” Lloyd said.

Lloyd said a man in a suit driving a Mercedes Benz stood at her doorway for more than five minutes. When she wouldn’t open the door, he left an envelope with “personal and confidential” hand-written in sharpie.

“It’s been a total nightmare for me where I’m not even sleeping well because I don’t know the next time someone is going to pop up at my door unannounced,” Lloyd said. “This is predatory lending at its finest.”

The problems are now affecting the inside of her home. Lloyd said the panels were installed in Jan. 2023 and she noticed damage to her roof, which caused a leak and ceiling damage in her kitchen.

“The ceiling is leaking, I’ve tried to have that fixed, I was told it would cost $10,000 to have the solar panels taken off and put back on, so I’m in limbo with this,” Lloyd said.

Ceiling damage inside home's kitchen — Ceiling damage at Tra'Nise Lloyd's home in Louisville, Ky.

In 2023, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg created the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability to integrate some of the city’s programs. The office helps people and businesses navigate green energy.

"There has been a lot of interest in the community for the city to do more to create a healthier, greener city and to take action on climate change," said Sumedha Rao, executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability. "Solar tends to be the low hanging fruit because it is the cheapest form of energy, the technology has advanced enough that it is pretty affordable and easy to build out."

Solarize Louisville was launched three years ago to help homeowners get connected with vetted installers at discounted rates.

"You have that peace of mind that you're doing it with someone who is qualified and insured and has all the right licenses," Rao said.

There have been more than 2,000 enrollments since the program launched.

But as the program has grown, so too has the rising trend of solar scammers, according to Rao.

"They're being quoted really high prices for solar, like three to four times what they should really be charged," Rao said. "There are very predatory financing mechanisms involved."

Sumedha Rao, executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, speaks to WDRB News in Louisville, Ky.

Rao said sales people showing up is a "red flag" because the city's program won't ever show up at a home.

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman's office has seen a high number of complaints connected to residential solar installers and affiliated entities. The Attorney General's office said it has taken action in federal and state court against three entities: Solar Titan, Power Home Solar and Design 1 Group.

Rao recommends people interested in solar energy at their homes to first check with Solarize Louisville, which includes Jefferson, Oldham, Spencer, Shelby and Bullitt counties in Kentucky, along with Harrison, Floyd and Clark counties in southern Indiana.

"With our program we want to inform customers, give them the information they need to make the decision that's right for them," Rao said. "We're never going to try to force you to sign something in a day or two. Anytime you feel uncomfortable or under pressure, that's a good sign to take a step back."

The Attorney General's office offers recommendations to avoid solar scammers, which include: