Vivint Solar to pay $4.3 million over charges of misleading customers

Alleged consumer protection violations by Vivint Solar have resulted in a $4.3 million settlement with district attorney’s offices in five California counties, including San Diego.

The case stems from allegations the rooftop solar company materially misrepresented certain terms of power purchase agreements or failed to make adequate disclosures that resulted in consumers being misled.

Under the terms of the settlement, Vivint Solar will pay $1.3 million in civil penalties and investigative costs and establish a $3 million restitution fund to compensate eligible California consumers who entered into power purchase agreements with the company between Aug. 3, 2016, and Oct. 8, 2020.

The complaint was filed in Riverside County Superior Court and was jointly prosecuted by district attorneys in Riverside, San Diego, Alameda, Fresno and San Francisco counties.

Vivint Solar has since been acquired by solar, battery storage and energy services company Sunrun, with Vivint becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary.

Sunrun is not a party to the law enforcement action and prosecutor...