Business ProfileforEverlight Solar

The following describes a pending government action that has been formally brought by a government agency but has not yet been resolved. We are providing a summary of the government’s allegations, which have not yet been proven.

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers has filed a lawsuit against Everlight Solar for unlawful door-to-door sales tactics and misleading consumers while selling solar panel systems.

The lawsuit focuses on:
Unlawful Sales Tactics: Everlight’s salespeople unlawfully harass consumers in the sanctity of their homes by ignoring “no solicitation” signs, refusing to leave after consumers decline services or ask them to leave, and visiting homes outside of permitted solicitation hours.
Deceptive Representations Regarding Potential Cost Savings: Everlight uses misleading cost estimates, causing consumers to purchase costly solar systems that may cost more than they save, and misleads consumers to believe that they will no longer incur an electric bill or that they will receive reimbursement checks when neither is the case. 
Deceptive Representations Regarding Partnerships: Everlight’s salespeople take advantage of the goodwill of Nebraska institutions, such as OPPD and local athletic programs, by misrepresenting their relationship and causing consumers to believe that these institutions tacitly endorse Everlight’s sales tactics, services, and products. 

The Attorney General is asking the court to order Everlight to stop its unfair and deceptive sales tactics and pay penalties, among other relief. 

In response Everlight Solar has issued the following statement:

Regarding claims about the conduct of our door-to-door sales representatives, it is crucial to clarify our company’s commitment to professionalism and the overall integrity of our outreach efforts.

At Everlight Solar, our team of representatives visits over 40,000 homes each month to educate homeowners about the potential benefits of solar energy. These professionals are not only experts in their field but also adhere strictly to the highest standards of courtesy and respect in all interactions. Our goal is to make the information regarding solar energy easily accessible to the public, allowing homeowners to make informed decisions.

Given the extensive scale of our operations, a small percentage of the interactions may not meet the homeowner's expectations, despite our representatives' adherence to protocol and manners. This is statistically inevitable and should not be seen as indicative of our usual business practices.

We are deeply committed to the transition to renewable energy and are pleased whenever our interactions inspire individuals to consider solar power, irrespective of the solar company they ultimately choose. Our mission is to foster a collaborative environment for the adoption of green energy solutions.

Thank you for addressing this matter. We are hopeful for the opportunity to work together in fostering a better-informed public that supports sustainable energy initiatives.

A pattern of complaints and customer reviews has been detected for Everlight Solar. These complaints and reviews pertain to high pressure and aggressive sales tactics - including, but not limited to - salespersons ignoring "no solicitation" signs, continuing to pressure consumer even after told they were not interested in product, and coming at odd hours of the day/night. A letter was sent to Everlight Solar on 8/12/24, requesting that this pattern of issues be addressed. 

On August 23, 2024, BBB received a response from Everlight Solar addressing the issues presented in the pattern of complaint letter.

Everlight Solar states that their sales practices are fully aligned with industry standards and customer expectations, and that their sales methods are continuously evaluated and refined to ensure the highest level of professionalism. They also state that their door-to-door team doesn’t sell anything; they only schedule appointments for homeowners interested in going solar.

They also state that their sales personnel are receiving ongoing training to reinforce their commitment to ethical and respectful sales practices. They additionally state they have implemented monitoring procedures – such as using technology that records audio of every single door-to-door interaction for coaching and quality assurance purposes. Over the past six months, they tell BBB that they have also incorporated  “Do Not Knock List” technology to ensure homeowners that have requested no further visits are not visited again.

Everlight Solar states that the number of BBB complaints received in the last 36 months (15) is “relatively minor” when taken into scope with the number of doors knocked on (413k+). And because “every interaction” between their employees and homeowners, potential customers, and customers is tracked, they are able to “respond to any individual question with a detailed response.”