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Local attorney offers advice after solar panel company closes doors, leaves customers out of money

PITTSBURGH — Pink Energy, a national solar panel installation company, closed its doors in September – after months of financial difficulties and customer complaints.

Customer complaints are still pouring into the Channel 11 newsroom, each sharing a similar story about how big bucks were paid and solar power was promised.  But Pink Energy didn’t deliver. Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio Attorney General’s Offices have filed lawsuits.

“I strongly encourage these consumers to contact an attorney and to do so quickly,” said attorney John Rice, a visiting assistant professor at Duquesne University’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law.

Taking legal action may be the next step for hundreds of customers like William Mabold, who bought solar panels from Pink Energy. He now he says he’s out $69,990.

Mabold had 18 panels installed in May. He said at the time Pink Energy told him he would not only save money, but he would earn money because his home would overproduce energy.

Instead, he’s paying double.

“Between my electric bill and the solar panel payment’s $450,” Mabold said.

He added, “Yesterday my house required like 25 kilowatts and my system produced maybe eight [kilowatts].”

He also said he’s found several brackets in his yard and fears the panels may have been improperly installed.

“The guy in the basement wasn’t even a licensed electrician working on my fuse panel, and then the guy on my roof was shaking like a leaf,” Mabold said.

Rice says consumers should review the contracts to see if Pink Energy is in breach of the contract or committed fraud.

“The person who is making the statement acted without regard for the truth or the person who made the statement knew that the statements were not true,” Rice said.

If a consumer sues and wins, they could receive three times the amount of damages.

“The consumer protection law does provide for an award of attorney fees, and treble damages or three times your damages,” Rice said.

Rice encourages victims to file claims with the Attorney General’s Office immediately.

Channel 11 News again reached out to Pink Energy and heard no response.

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