New York City is taking Radiant Solar to court, accusing the company and its owner, William James Bushell, of luring hundreds of homeowners into costly, undisclosed loans, slapping on hidden fees and walking away from dangerously unfinished jobs. Families in the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn told reporters they were promised big savings on utility bills, only to end up with hefty monthly loan payments on top of their regular electric charges. City regulators say they want Radiant Solar shut down and customers paid back.
In a Jan. 28 press release, the city's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) laid out its allegations and the relief it is seeking. According to the agency, Radiant Solar steered at least 370 New Yorkers into more than $18 million in loans and quietly embedded about $3 million in undisclosed "dealer fees." DCWP says it is asking for roughly $1.75 million in civil penalties and around $18 million in restitution. "Our lawsuit aims to shut down this scheme, recover $20 million for consumers and taxpayers, and send a clear message," Commissioner Sam Levine said in the release.
CBS News New York reported that some homeowners say their panels were so poorly installed they never produced the promised savings, and that many only discovered they had loans after a surprise welcome letter landed in the mail. One Queens homeowner told reporters crews put panels in the wrong direction and left damage that needed repairs, while a Bronx family said their ceiling later collapsed after an installation. Those on-camera accounts, along with a Feb. 23 video story, have put fresh pressure on the city to translate angry complaints into real refunds.
What the complaint alleges
The DCWP petition describes what it calls a sweeping scheme: aggressive sales pitches promising "immediate savings," funneling consumers to preferred lenders in violation of city rules, taking loan disbursements directly and hiding kickback-style "dealer fees" in the financing. The agency says Radiant Solar sometimes enrolled people in loans without their knowledge, used contracts that left out required protections and performed work that failed city inspections, leading to leaks, structural problems and electrical hazards. DCWP is asking a judge to revoke Radiant Solar's home improvement license, order full refunds for affected homeowners and impose the maximum civil penalties allowed. For those who want to see the legal fine print, the full filing is available in the agency's petition.
Part of a wider crackdown
City officials are not alone in trying to clean up the residential solar business. As rooftop systems have surged in popularity and financing has grown more complicated, state and federal regulators have rolled out their own enforcement actions. The State Energy & Environmental Impact Center's AG Actions Database tracks multiple attorney general lawsuits and settlements with solar installers over allegedly deceptive marketing and loan practices. That pattern is part of why New York City is calling this a landmark case and is seeking broad remedies aimed at both paying back consumers and sending a warning to other companies.
How to protect yourself
For homeowners thinking about going solar, consumer advocates say the safest move is to slow everything down. Get several written bids, confirm that any contractor is properly licensed and insured, and read every page of the financing terms before signing anything. Be especially wary of high pressure promises of "no more electric bills." The New York Attorney General's office offers detailed tips on avoiding home improvement scams and checking complaint histories. If you believe you have been misled or defrauded, officials urge you to report it to city regulators or call 311 so your case is officially logged.
Company response and next steps
Radiant Solar's new attorney, Andrew Lustigman, told reporters the company disputes the city's claims and has tried to work with customers, and he suggested shifts in the economy made it hard for the business to keep operating, according to CBS News New York. The DCWP petition seeks to revoke Radiant Solar's license and secure restitution for both named and unnamed consumers, and the administrative process could stretch on for months if the company fights the allegations. Hoodline first covered the filing in late January; see the original report that sues Radiant Solar.
Other cities and regulators that are wrestling with similar problems in the residential solar market are watching this case closely. For now, thousands of dollars in loans and the condition of many New Yorkers' homes hang in the balance while the city's enforcement action moves ahead.
