Jacksonville Resident Left with $63,000 Worth of Non-Functional Solar Panels as Company Folds
JACKSONVILLE, Florida. – Imagine investing tens of thousands of dollars in an eco-friendly future, only to find yourself stuck with non-functional solar panels and an unresponsive company. That’s the reality for Jacksonville homeowner Jackie May, who is searching for answers and options after a costly solar panel mishap.
Last August, May signed a contract with MC Solar, a Tampa-based company, when a door-to-door salesman pitched their solar panel services. “He was very convincing,” said May. “He came prepared with documents, brochures, and all sorts of convincing material. It seemed legitimate.”
But the dream of sustainable energy quickly became a nightmare. Despite facing numerous issues with the solar system and failing multiple inspections, May suddenly found herself cut off from any communication with MC Solar. “It was like they vanished,” May lamented. “No calls, no emails, zero communication. It’s as if they never existed.”
Local news outlet News4JAX took the initiative to reach out to MC Solar but hit a dead end. Contact numbers linked to the company and its owner are now out of service, and their website has disappeared from the internet.
Feeling trapped and frustrated, May has been seeking legal action. “I’ve contacted lawyers, even sent demand letters to MC Solar’s address, but it seems like the place is empty. I’m left hanging, trying to solve this mess,” she said.
Adding insult to injury, May is still shackled by the $63,000 contract, making monthly payments for solar panels that don’t function. “It’s financially draining,” she explained. “I’m paying my regular electricity bill and also paying for these useless solar panels.”
The state’s Attorney General’s office informed News4JAX’s I-TEAM that they have received a staggering 228 complaints about MC Solar and have launched an investigation. “They need to be held accountable for what they promised and for what people like me have paid for,” May asserted.
At this point, May says she cannot afford to bring in another company to complete the work. “I can’t just call another contractor. Financially, I’m already stretched too thin because of this.”
Experts caution that door-to-door sales tactics are often a red flag and can be a common approach used by scammers. The best line of defense is to thoroughly review any contract and check for reviews and Better Business Bureau ratings. In MC Solar’s case, the absence of reviews a year ago might not have been a useful indicator; however, the company now sports a glaring “F” rating on the BBB website.
May’s ordeal serves as a stern warning for consumers: always do your due diligence and be wary of deals that seem too good to be true, especially when the pressure to sign is high.
