Press Releases

U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after spearheading a letter to the Chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Edith Ramirez urging the Commission to investigate the sales practices of companies offering third-party leases for rooftop solar systems:

“It has been reported that some companies are using potentially deceptive sales techniques and overstating potential savings in order to get consumers to sign lengthy leases for rooftop solar systems. Reportedly, consumers are being enticed by some solar leasing companies who offer zero-money-down leases, essentially teaser rates, for a 20-year lease agreement. The sales presentations, however, purportedly inflate grid power rates. If these allegations are true, these possibly misleading leases could be a serious threat to consumers as they are tied to our citizens’ homes and have the potential to cause significant harm to the solar industry.

“Even more troubling, one of the largest solar leasing companies has partnered with a strategic sales company that sold large numbers of subprime mortgages to unsuspecting homeowners in the run up to the 2008 financial crisis. Unfortunately, this is not the first time that these companies have utilized questionable business practices. 

“My letter to Chairwoman Ramirez simply asks the FTC to look into these practices and answer a series of questions in relation to the current regulatory structure for these systems and sales techniques. In order to protect consumers and expand domestic solar production, proper oversight of the emerging rooftop solar industry must be maintained.”

Background

Congressman Gosar’s letter to FTC Chairwoman Ramirez can be found HERE.

You can read the June 24, 2014 Bloomberg article titled “Rooftop Solar Leases Scaring Buyers When Homeowners Sell” by clicking HERE.

You can read the November 22, 2014 op-ed by Sean Paige, senior fellow with the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, by clicking HERE.

Other signees of the Congressman’s letter include Reps. Lamar Smith, David McKinley, Jeff Miller, Cynthia Lummis, Andy Harris, Morgan Griffith, Mo Brooks, Matt Salmon, Ted Poe, Alan Nunnelee and Trent Franks. 

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