RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – The Nevada State Contractors Board has launched a new, specialized Solar Investigations Unit.

The primary use of the board will be to target solar companies with complaints involving theft, fraud, abandonment, diversion of funds, and unlicensed contracting.

“Of the 3,000 complaints the Board receives annually, nearly one-third are homeowner complaints about solar companies,” said Nevada State Contractors Board Executive Officer Margi Grein. “Complaints include misleading sales tactics with promised benefits such as rebates, government incentives, and the complete eradication of electric bills.”

The State Contractor’s Board says it has already been holding meetings with companies they say have harmed homeowners and have been pursuing criminal investigations against certain people.

In April of this year, the board worked with law enforcement to capture and arrest Lifetime Solar company contractor Derrick Carbajal. Authorities say Carbajal stole nearly $250,000 from elderly homeowners over the last two years without performing work.

The new unit is now partnering with prosecutorial agencies from around Nevada and will meet with representatives from a variety of other state agencies and regulatory bodies.

“We are sending a message to the residential solar industry that protecting consumers is at the forefront of our mission and we will take whatever measures are necessary to continue protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public,” said Grein.

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