Solar Consumer Protection

The U.S. solar photovoltaics (PV) market has grown tremendously over the last decade. With hundreds of thousands of PV systems being installed annually, it is important that consumers are satisfied that the equipment they purchase will perform as advertised, and that they don’t feel misled by unreliable vendors. Otherwise, long-term public support for solar could erode.

On this webinar, panelists from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Consumers Union, and the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) presented their perspectives on solar consumer protection and discussed the work their organizations are doing to ensure that distributed PV remains consumer friendly. These presentations were followed by a Q&A with the audience.

Panelists:

• Amir Yazdi, Assistant General Counsel, Solar Energy Industries Association
• Shannon Baker-Branstetter, Energy and Environment Policy Counsel, Consumers Union
• Nate Hausman, Project Director, Clean Energy States Alliance

Host:

• Warren Leon, Executive Director, Clean Energy States Alliance

This webinar was a presentation of CESA’s Sustainable Solar Education Project. This project, funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative, is helping state and municipal officials ensure distributed solar electricity is equitable and consumer friendly. The project will assist states and municipalities to improve consumer information, implement consumer protection measures, and find ways to make solar more accessible to low- and moderate-income households. The project is developing program guides, webinars, online course material, and in-person training for government officials.