Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has hauled San Antonio-based CAM Solar Inc. into court, accusing the installer of luring homeowners with slick but deceptive sales pitches and then failing to deliver on promised solar systems.
The state’s lawsuit, filed in Bexar County, asks a judge to freeze the company’s current business practices, order restitution for affected customers and hit the firm with civil penalties under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. The case follows a state investigation and a wave of consumer complaints about broken systems, surprise fees and marketing that did not match reality.
As first reported by Dallas Express, Paxton’s office moved ahead after receiving more than 100 complaints tied to CAM Solar and other residential installers. According to the outlet, the state’s suit zeroes in on sales claims about energy bill savings, warranty protections and federal tax credit eligibility that Texas officials say were false or misleading.
The state’s verified petition, filed Wednesday in the 166th District Court, lays out a long list of homeowner allegations: systems that failed to generate promised savings, installations that damaged roofs and other property when panels detached, undisclosed warranty charges and financing deals that allegedly left unsuspecting family members on the hook. The filing from the Texas Attorney General's Office asks for temporary and permanent injunctions, restitution and civil penalties under the consumer protection law.
Part of a broader state crackdown
Paxton’s suit is not a one-off. In April, his office launched a wider initiative using civil investigative demands to probe multiple residential solar companies after a surge of complaints, with CAM Solar among those named. Solar Power World reported that the inquiry centered on how companies marketed energy savings, system performance and overall sales practices.
“This solar panel company lied to and deceived Texans with its fraudulent and deceptive sales tactics. My office will ensure justice is served,” Paxton said in a news release. The Office of the Attorney General added that it will keep digging into other installers and will file additional suits where it believes the evidence supports legal action.
What homeowners should do
For homeowners who feel their solar deal went sideways, the state’s move is a signal to get their paperwork in order. Contracts, invoices, payment receipts and emails or texts with the company can all become crucial evidence in any consumer claim or restitution effort.
Customers who believe they were misled can file complaints with the Attorney General’s consumer protection division and may also want to talk with a private attorney about potential claims under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
Legal implications
The lawsuit leans on the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act, which lets the state seek court orders to stop allegedly unlawful conduct, secure payback for consumers and impose financial penalties. If the judge agrees with the Attorney General, CAM Solar could be blocked from signing up new customers and face sizable monetary sanctions.
The petition also seeks ex parte relief, a procedural move that would allow the court to act without first hearing from CAM Solar, in order to preserve records and limit any ongoing harm while the case unfolds.
The case is now pending in Bexar County, and Paxton’s office says its broader investigation into the residential solar market is still very much active. Expect more legal action if state investigators believe other companies are playing fast and loose with the fine print.
