Press Releases
10/23/2026
Attorney General Tong Announces Settlements with SunRun Solar and Others to Require Consumer Relief, Financial Penalties Following Deceptive Sales Tactics
(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong today announced settlements with SunRun, Inc., Sunrun Installation Services, Inc., Elevate Solar Solutions, and two salespeople, requiring significant financial penalties and substantial consumer relief following allegations of unlawful and deceptive sales tactics.Attorney General Tong sued SunRun, Elevate, Bright Planet Solar Inc. and salespeople Dakota Grumet and Sierra Howes in July 2024 alleging deceptive, unfair and unlawful sales of solar panel systems, including locking consumers into long-term contracts without consent by impersonating consumers, and installing non-functional systems. The complaint alleged multiple violations of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act and Home Improvement Act.
“We sued SunRun and Elevate following shocking consumer complaints, including forged signatures, impersonations of consumers, non-permitted work, and non-functioning systems. They locked homeowners into long-term contracts without full, informed consent, and failed to deliver what was promised. This settlement carries significant financial penalties, and forces SunRun to make things right for Connecticut customers. We will be watching this process closely and will not hesitate to aggressively enforce the terms of this agreement,” said Attorney General Tong.
“A signed contract is one of the strongest forms of protection that a consumer and business can have,” said Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli. “However, to lock consumers into a long-term agreement without their consent is illegal and will not be tolerated in Connecticut. This settlement sends a strong message that there are financial and occupational penalties to those who advertently deceive consumers. Most of all, we hope that this settlement offers the much-needed relief and support to those who were impacted.”
SunRun
The settlement requires SunRun to pay $300,000 to the state and forces significant reforms and relief to stop and address fraudulent contracts.
SunRun must provide notice of this settlement to all consumers whose contracts were solicited by Elevate, Sierra Howes or Dakota Grumet, or any other individuals associated with these defendants believed to be engaging in similar improper conduct. SunRun must investigate all claims of fraudulent conduct and provide a consumer response within 60 days. If the investigation substantiates fraud, SunRun must offer one or more options for relief, including cash payments, account credits, contract cancellation, and/or removal of the system. For consumers who claim they never received a copy of their solar contract and for whom Sunrun can’t provide proof of such receipt, consumers may cancel their Sunrun contract.
In the event of a dispute, SunRun must pay for an independent arbitrator. There is no cap on the restitution SunRun will be obligated to provide.
Consumers may submit claims to CTSupport@sunrun.com.
SunRun contracted with Bright Planet for solar marketing and sales. Bright Planet is no longer represented by counsel, but the case against it remains pending.
Elevate, Sierra Howes and Dakota Grumet
Elevate must dissolve under the settlement, and Elevate, Howes, and Grumet will be subject to a $200,000 penalty, suspended after $100,000 to ensure ongoing compliance.
Dakota Grumet was a principal and managing member of Elevate. For 10 years, he may not own any company whose business involves home solicitation sales, including home improvement sales, and he must remain under the direct supervision of a company. He must also create and maintain records for all unsolicited door-to-door or telephonic marketing he conducts.
Sierra Howes was a registered agent of Elevate. She must surrender all Home Improvement Salesperson registrations she holds with DCP and may not apply for a new registration or a Home Improvement Contractor registration for 10 years.
Defendants did not admit liability as a part of this settlement.
Cracking Down on Unfair Solar Sales
Today’s settlement is the latest in a series of actions led by Attorney General Tong to crack down on unfair solar panel sales, marketing, and finance tactics.
In March, Attorney General Tong announced an investigation into SunStrong Management LLC following dozens of consumer complaints. That investigation is active and ongoing. Also in March, Connecticut announced a $100,000 settlement resolving an investigation into Spruce Power 3, LLC, a solar servicing company, following multiple complaints about billing, customer service, warranty issues, and other concerns.
In 2024, Attorney General Tong reached a $20,000 settlement with EnergyBillCruncher.com, resolving an investigation regarding false claims on social media. EnergyBillCruncher is a referral service that generates leads for solar installers.
Also in 2024, a Hartford Superior Court judge imposed a $5 million stipulated judgment against Vision Solar, settling the lawsuit brought by the Office of the Attorney General over high-pressure sales tactics, misrepresentations, delays and unpermitted work. Because Vision Solar has filed for bankruptcy, the company will not have sufficient assets to pay the judgment. Relatedly, Attorney General Tong has opened investigations into Vision Solar’s financing partners, certain of which are ongoing, and in 2025 reached a settlement with the largest one, Dividend Finance, requiring it to provide relief to its Vision Solar borrowers who were defrauded.
In 2022, Attorney General Tong and the Department of Consumer Protection announced an investigation and enforcement action against Solar Wolf Energy over failures to complete, or even begin, promised work. Solar Wolf is currently blocked from doing business in Connecticut as a result of a court order and has since filed for bankruptcy.
Connecticut consumers who believe they have been harmed by a solar company’s practices should file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General here: https://ct.gov/agcomplaints or with the Department of Consumer Protection here: https://portal.ct.gov/DCP/Complaint-Center/Consumers---Complaint-Center.
See here for previously released guidance on reviewing residential solar contracts.
Assistant Attorneys General Michael Nunes and Joe Gasser and Consumer Protection Section Chief Michael Wertheimer assisted the Attorney General with this matter.
- Twitter: @AGWilliamTong
- Facebook: CT Attorney General
Media Contact:
Elizabeth Benton
elizabeth.benton@ct.gov
Consumer Inquiries:
860-808-5318
attorney.general@ct.gov