FCDA Joins Statewide Consumer Protection Settlement with Vivint Solar

Published on February 19, 2026

The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office announced today that it joined four California prosecutors’ offices in securing a $4.3 million consumer protection settlement with Vivint Solar, Inc. and related entities. This settlement resolves allegations of misleading sales and marketing practices involving residential solar energy agreements.

The $4.3 million settlement includes $1.05 million in civil penalties, $250,000 in investigative costs shared among participating agencies, and a separate $3 million restitution fund available to eligible California consumers. The stipulated judgment, filed in Riverside County Superior Court, resolves allegations that Vivint Solar engaged in unfair and deceptive business practices related to the marketing and sale of solar power purchase agreements (PPAs) between August 3, 2016, and October 8, 2020.

Although the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office did not directly receive consumer complaints, the office participated in this statewide enforcement effort due to Vivint Solar’s significant business activity throughout the Central Valley and, its broader impact on California consumers.

“Consumers deserve honest and transparent information when making major financial decisions about their homes,” said Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp. “Solar energy can offer real benefits, but companies that rely on misleading or aggressive sales tactics harm families and undermine honest businesses that follow the law. This settlement sends a clear message that deceptive practices will not be tolerated.”

Settlement Terms and Consumer Protections

Under the judgment, Vivint Solar is prohibited from engaging in unfair or misleading practices, including:

• Misrepresenting relationships with local utility companies;
• Overstating expected energy savings or cost reductions;
• Misleading consumers about their ability to cancel agreements;
• Failing to provide required disclosures or translated contracts when negotiations occur in a language other than English; and
• Accessing consumer credit reports or creating customer accounts without proper authorization.

A $3 million restitution fund will remain available for four years to resolve valid claims from California consumers who entered qualifying agreements during the covered timeframe. Information regarding eligibility and how to submit restitution claims will be made available through Vivint Solar.

Vivint Solar became a wholly owned subsidiary of Sunrun, Inc. in October 2020. Sunrun is not a party to this enforcement action.

The case was handled locally by Chief Deputy District Attorney Manuel Jimenez and prosecuted collaboratively with the District Attorneys’ Offices of San Diego, Riverside, Alameda, and San Francisco following numerous complaints being lodged statewide to the California Contractors State License Board.

The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office maintains a dedicated Consumer Protection Unit that investigates and prosecutes unfair, fraudulent, and dishonest business practices that harm consumers and honest businesses. Residents are encouraged to report suspected consumer fraud so investigators can take appropriate action.

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