Republican leaders in the House and Senate are questioning the Department of Energy’s (DOE) recent decision to award a $3 billion loan guarantee to Sunnova Energy Corporation, a solar energy company with a history of customer complaints.
This scrutiny stems from the DOE’s support for Sunnova’s Project Hestia to the tune of a $3 billion partial loan guarantee, intended to provide solar and battery storage to low-income homeowners, a key part of President Biden’s woke green energy agenda.
The project is intended to provide loans for approximately 75,000 to 115,000 homeowners to obtain clean energy systems throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
The concerns were outlined in a letter to DOE Loan Programs Office Director Jigar Shah, written by House Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., and Senate Energy and Natural Resources Ranking Member John Barrasso, R-Wyo.
“We are alarmed about recent, credible reports that Sunnova has racked up numerous consumer complaints, including those alleging troubling sales practices, such as Sunnova pressing elderly homeowners in poor health to sign long-term contracts costing tens of thousands of dollars,” the letter stated.
These concerns are backed by a series of incidents and reports documenting Sunnova’s questionable practices.
“These reports cite interviews with individuals who struggled to deal with large contracts that their elderly parents signed shortly before passing away as well as state consumer complaints alleging maintenance delays and predatory sales strategies,” the letter continued.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) issued an alert for Sunnova, assigning it an “F rating” for a pattern of “deceptive sales practices,” poor customer service, and delays in repair services.
Customer complaints reveal frustrations with service and issue resolution, as one complaint detailed, “To this date, despite countless phone calls, we still have not received service for that part almost 5 months later.”
Sunnova’s operations in Puerto Rico further compound these concerns. After Hurricane Maria, the company faced 436 complaints, and a 2019 report by Puerto Rico’s Energy Bureau accused Sunnova of misleading consumers.
In the U.S., the Washington Free Beacon reported Sunnova’s alleged exploitation of vulnerable consumers, including the elderly and sick. One Texas resident, Terry Blythe, described her late father’s experience with Sunnova, saying, “It was truly ripping off old people.”
In response to these allegations, a Sunnova spokesperson stated, “All customers, regardless of age, are required to complete a thorough validation process where we confirm their identity and ensure that they have read and comprehended the terms of their agreements.”
Despite these assurances, Sunnova’s financial stability is a concern. The company, public since 2019, has experienced significant losses, with its stock price falling more than 77% since January 2021.
This financial context, coupled with the customer complaints and BBB alert, raises questions about the DOE’s decision to support Sunnova with a substantial loan guarantee.
As of now, neither the DOE nor Sunnova have responded to these concerns, leaving significant questions about the DOE’s endorsement of Sunnova in light of these troubling reports.
The situation is reprehensible as, once again, this administration is prioritizing agenda over result, subsequently harming the very people they are supposed to represent and protect. It is a gross misuse of tax payer money and a disaster for those who entered into business with Sunnova.
Maybe the GOP will actually do something to stop this mess and fix it… maybe.
