When people ask what the worst solar companies around the world are, they usually mean one thing. These are providers that left customers with broken panels, unfinished installations, hidden contracts, or warranties that became meaningless once the company disappeared. Solar energy itself is not the problem. Poor business practices, weak after sales support, and aggressive sales models are.
I have reviewed customer complaints, regulatory actions, installer feedback, and long term performance issues across multiple regions. This article focuses on large, recognizable solar brands that generated repeated problems for homeowners, businesses, and utility scale partners. Every company mentioned here was real, operational at scale, and widely marketed at one point.
The goal is not to discourage clean energy adoption. It is to help you avoid costly mistakes and understand where things often go wrong in the solar industry.
10 Poorly Rated Solar Companies With Global Customer Complaints
Before breaking down each company, it helps to see the broader picture. Many of these firms expanded too fast, relied on subcontractors, or used financing models that trapped customers in long contracts.
Below is a comparison table showing the worst performing solar companies based on complaint volume, legal action, customer service failures, and long term system issues.
| Solar Company | Primary Markets | Main Issues Reported | Current Status |
| SunEdison | Global | Bankruptcy, abandoned projects, unpaid partners | Defunct |
| Vivint Solar | United States | Misleading sales, contract disputes | Acquired |
| Titan Solar Power | United States | Installation delays, unfinished systems | Closed |
| Pink Energy | United States | Equipment failures, warranty disputes | Closed |
| Solyndra | United States | Product design failure, government loan loss | Defunct |
| Abengoa Solar | Europe, Americas | Debt crisis, project overruns | Insolvent |
| Sungevity | United States | Sudden shutdown, orphaned customers | Defunct |
| SunPower Residential | United States | Service delays, system performance disputes | Spun off |
| RGS Energy | United States | Financial instability, missed installs | Defunct |
| Yingli Solar | China, Global | Financial collapse, unpaid obligations | Restructured |
Each of these companies failed customers in different ways. Some collapsed financially. Others remained operational but left behind long trails of unresolved complaints.
SunEdison
SunEdison was once one of the largest renewable energy companies in the world. It operated across North America, Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. At its peak, it controlled thousands of megawatts of solar and wind assets.
The problems began with aggressive expansion. SunEdison bought competitors, signed complex power purchase agreements, and relied heavily on debt. When interest rates shifted and projects underperformed, cash flow dried up quickly.
Customers and partners reported stalled construction sites, unpaid subcontractors, and abandoned solar farms. Residential customers who signed long term agreements were left confused about who owned or serviced their systems.
A key issue was the yieldco structure. SunEdison spun off TerraForm Power and TerraForm Global, promising stable returns. When the parent company collapsed, those structures unraveled, affecting investors and system owners alike.
By 2016, SunEdison filed for bankruptcy. It remains one of the largest failures in clean energy history and a clear example of how scale without financial discipline can destroy customer trust.
Vivint Solar
Vivint Solar built its brand through door to door sales across the United States. It focused heavily on solar leases and power purchase agreements rather than direct ownership.
Many customers later complained that sales representatives misrepresented system costs, roof impacts, and contract terms. Common issues included escalator clauses that increased monthly payments and early termination fees that made selling a home difficult.
Vivint Solar also relied on third party installers, which led to inconsistent workmanship. Homeowners reported roof leaks, wiring problems, and delays in inspection approvals.
The company faced regulatory scrutiny in multiple states. Several attorneys general investigated deceptive sales practices. While Vivint Solar was later acquired by Sunrun, many of the original contracts remained in force, leaving customers locked into agreements they no longer wanted.
This case shows how high pressure sales tactics can damage an otherwise viable solar model.
Titan Solar Power
Titan Solar Power operated as a large installation partner for national solar sales companies. It handled thousands of residential installs across several states.
Problems surfaced when Titan grew faster than its operational capacity. Customers experienced months long installation delays, incomplete electrical work, and failed inspections. In some cases, panels were installed but never connected to the grid.
Another major issue was subcontractor management. Electricians and roofers reported late payments, which slowed projects even further. Customers were often caught in the middle, paying loan installments for systems that produced no power.
By 2023, Titan Solar Power shut down operations abruptly. Many homeowners were left without warranty coverage or access to system monitoring portals.
This failure highlights the risk of separating sales, installation, and service across different companies.
Pink Energy
Pink Energy, formerly known as Power Home Solar, targeted homeowners across the southeastern United States. The company marketed premium panels and long term savings.
In reality, customers reported widespread equipment failures. Inverters malfunctioned, monitoring systems stopped reporting data, and energy production fell far below projections. Some systems never produced power at all.
A recurring complaint involved warranty handling. Pink Energy often blamed manufacturers, while manufacturers pointed back to the installer. Customers struggled to get repairs approved or completed.
State regulators received thousands of complaints. Class action lawsuits followed. In 2022, Pink Energy ceased operations, leaving customers with non functioning systems and no installer support.
This case shows why installer longevity matters as much as panel quality.
Solyndra
Solyndra became a political symbol rather than just a solar company. It developed cylindrical thin film panels designed for commercial rooftops.
The technology looked promising but failed under real world conditions. Production costs were high, and efficiency lagged behind traditional silicon panels. When global panel prices dropped, Solyndra could not compete.
The company received a large government loan guarantee, which intensified public scrutiny when it filed for bankruptcy in 2011.
While Solyndra did not sell widely to homeowners, it left behind incomplete commercial installations and unpaid suppliers. It remains a cautionary tale about betting on unproven technology without market resilience.
Abengoa Solar
Abengoa Solar, based in Spain, specialized in large scale solar thermal projects. It operated plants in Europe, North America, and South America.
The company relied on complex financing structures and government incentives. When subsidies were reduced and costs exceeded projections, Abengoa accumulated massive debt.
Projects faced construction delays, cost overruns, and legal disputes. Utility customers and government partners were forced to renegotiate contracts or seek new operators.
Abengoa filed for insolvency multiple times, restructuring its debt while selling assets. While some plants continue to operate, the original customers and investors suffered heavy losses.
This case highlights the risk of policy dependent solar business models.
Sungevity
Sungevity focused on residential solar with a remote design and sales model. Customers liked the online tools and early pricing transparency.
However, financial mismanagement caught up with the company. In 2017, Sungevity shut down suddenly with little warning. Employees were laid off overnight, and customers learned through news reports.
Many installations were incomplete. Permits had been filed but work never started. Monitoring accounts were inaccessible, and warranties became unclear.
Some customers eventually found third party installers to take over maintenance, often at additional cost.
Sungevity shows how even customer friendly brands can fail if finances are not stable.
SunPower Residential
SunPower is known for high efficiency panels, but its residential installation arm faced repeated criticism.
Customers reported long wait times for repairs, slow response from support teams, and difficulties transferring warranties during home sales. Some systems underperformed relative to quoted estimates.
The company eventually spun off its residential business into a separate entity. This transition caused confusion about who handled service and warranty claims.
While SunPower panels remain respected, the residential service experience damaged the brand for many homeowners.
This case shows how product quality alone does not guarantee customer satisfaction.
RGS Energy
RGS Energy was one of the early residential solar providers in the United States. It operated under several brand names over the years.
The company struggled with profitability. Installations were delayed, and customer communication was inconsistent. Financing partners withdrew, making it harder for customers to complete projects.
RGS Energy filed for bankruptcy more than once before ultimately shutting down. Many customers were left searching for new service providers to maintain their systems.
This failure reflects how thin margins can destabilize solar installers quickly.
Yingli Solar
Yingli Solar was once one of the largest solar panel manufacturers in the world. Based in China, it supplied panels globally.
The company expanded rapidly, taking on heavy debt to build manufacturing capacity. When global panel prices fell and competition increased, Yingli could not service its obligations.
Customers reported delayed shipments and warranty uncertainty. While Yingli continues to operate in a reduced form after restructuring, its decline affected installers and project developers worldwide.
This case shows that manufacturer stability matters just as much as installer reliability.
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Conclusion
The worst solar companies around the world share common warning signs. Rapid expansion without operational control, heavy reliance on debt, unclear contracts, and weak after sales support all lead to customer harm.
Solar energy remains a solid long term investment when done correctly. The lesson here is not to avoid solar, but to choose providers carefully. Look for companies with strong balance sheets, transparent contracts, local service teams, and a long operating history.
By learning from past failures, homeowners and businesses can avoid becoming the next cautionary story in the solar industry.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if a solar company is financially stable before signing a contract
You can start by checking how long the company has been operating under the same name and ownership. Look at recent financial filings if the company is public, or review credit ratings and bankruptcy records if available. Consistent layoffs, rapid rebranding, or sudden expansion into many regions often signal cash flow pressure. It also helps to ask who services the system if the company exits the market.
What happens to my solar warranty if the installer shuts down
In most cases, equipment warranties from panel and inverter manufacturers still apply, but workmanship warranties usually disappear with the installer. This means you may need to hire a third party technician for repairs, often at your own expense. Some manufacturers require certified installers, which can limit your options and increase costs.
Are solar leases riskier than owning the system outright
Leases and power purchase agreements shift ownership away from the homeowner, which can limit control. Problems often arise during home sales, early termination, or system underperformance disputes. Ownership typically provides more flexibility, clearer savings, and fewer long term contract complications, especially if the installer fails.
Why do solar savings estimates often fail to match real results
Savings projections are based on ideal conditions, stable utility rates, and perfect system performance. Real life factors such as shading changes, inverter faults, grid connection delays, and rate structure changes can reduce output. Poor companies often exaggerate estimates to close sales without explaining these variables clearly.
What steps should I take if my solar system stops producing power
First, check your monitoring app to confirm the issue is ongoing and not a reporting error. Next, contact the installer in writing and document all communication. If the installer is unresponsive or no longer operating, reach out to the equipment manufacturer for warranty guidance and locate a licensed local solar technician to assess the system safely.
