Home / Business and Economy / Solar Scam: Homeowner Loses $80K, Roof Leaks
Solar Scam: Homeowner Loses $80K, Roof Leaks
1 Apr
Summary
- A woman paid $83,200 for solar panels, but the job remains unfinished.
- Water damage occurred after roof tiles were removed and not replaced.
- The solar company's license was suspended after they failed to get permits.
Lorraine Hammer, a 79-year-old California resident, has lost over $80,000 due to an unfinished solar panel installation. She contracted My Smart House, LLC in September 2025, and her lender paid the company $83,200. Shortly after, workers left the jobsite, leaving materials behind and removing roof tiles without replacement.
Recent rainfall has caused water to leak into Hammer's home through the exposed roof. The company, which also owes other customers for unfinished projects, cited staffing shortages and asked for professional communication in an email sent in December. Hammer discovered that the company never filed for building permits and their contractor license has since been suspended.
Hammer's experience serves as a cautionary tale for other homeowners, urging them to thoroughly vet companies and check references before signing contracts. This incident echoes a similar case in Colorado where a family lost significant funds to a contractor who abandoned their home renovation.
