DCWP Sues Solar Firm and Operator for Predatory Loans, Junk Fees, and Shoddy Installations
January 28, 2026
Commissioner Levine Vows to Shut Down Illegal Scheme Driving Up New Yorkers’ Utility Costs and Recover Millions of Dollars for Consumers and Taxpayers
NEW YORK, NY – Today the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) announced the filing of a landmark lawsuit against Radiant Solar, a solar panel installation company that defrauded New Yorkers seeking a source of affordable renewable energy for their homes. To address a scheme that drove up utility costs for consumers across New York City, DCWP is seeking at least $1,752,225 in civil penalties and approximately $18 million in restitution; to shut down the company; and to hold president and owner/operator William James Bushell personally accountable.
Radiant Solar presents itself as a full-service solar energy company that installs the panels and assists consumers in obtaining tax incentives. Instead, it engages in deceptive and illegal conduct throughout the entire lifecycle of its consumer transactions—including falsely advertising “immediate savings” to consumers, signing consumers up for large loans without disclosing terms or obtaining consent, baking in an undisclosed “dealer fee,” and operating without a license.
DCWP’s investigation revealed that, in just the last five years, Radiant Solar illegally promoted over $18 million in loans to at least 370 New York City consumers. In dozens of cases, consumers first discovered how enormous their loans were only after Radiant Solar had already received full payment of the loan through direct lender disbursements. Worse, of the $18 million in loans taken out in consumers’ names, approximately $3 million of this was comprised of hidden undisclosed “dealer fees” the consumers never realized they were paying, and should not have been responsible for. DCWP is seeking to recover 100% refunds for New Yorkers who have been cheated.
“Radiant Solar and William James Bushell exploited New Yorkers looking to lower their energy costs and protect our environment,” said DCWP Commissioner Sam Levine. “Our lawsuit aims to shut down this scheme, recover $20 million for consumers and taxpayers, and send a clear message that preying on New Yorkers will come with serious consequences.”
Details of the Case
As detailed in the complaint, which was filed in late January 2026, Radiant Solar exploits the complexity of solar panel financing, installation, and tax rebate systems. Its business model depends on tricking consumers into signing up for loans to fund the installation project without their knowledge, or steering them to the company’s preferred lenders (a practice NYC law explicitly prohibits). The business further bakes in an undisclosed “dealer fee,” which is nothing more than a kickback for preferred lenders. The financing companies then send the loan proceeds directly to Radiant Solar and its president, which NYC law also prohibits.
Radiant Solar then provides shoddy, incomplete, or nonexistent solar panel installation that has left consumers with leaky roofs, structural instability, and other dangers in their homes. As soon as it receives payment, Radiant Solar ignores consumers’ complaints, abandons its responsibilities to secure the promised solar tax incentives, and refuses to fix its defective installations. As a result, many impacted consumers now face unexpectedly high loan payments and ongoing high utility bills, without the offsetting solar energy production and tax benefits they expected.
DCWP received the first of dozens of complaints about Radiant Solar in December 2021. The investigation began in August 2024. This is New York City’s first legal action against a fraudulent solar panel installation company, and the most restitution DCWP is seeking on behalf of consumers in any home improvement contractor (HIC) case. In DCWP’s last major HIC case, DCWP secured $250,000 for consumers defrauded by National Floors Direct (and this fund remains open for another month for consumers to submit claims).
In New York City, solar panel installation companies are licensed and regulated by DCWP as HICs. HICs are one of the industries about which DCWP receives the most consumer complaints. Solar panel installation companies in particular have become notorious for their abusive practices, taking advantage of consumers who want to embrace a shift to renewable energy and avail themselves of related tax incentives. Federal and state regulators have recently found that many actors in this industry are committing widespread fraud—not just New York City. When consumers are simply trying to invest in a product or service that is marketed as being both beneficial to the environment and to their wallets, and they are undermined or deceived for doing so, these bad actors are not only harming those consumers, they are harming our city’s effort to transition to clean energy as a whole.
The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) is the nation’s leading municipal enforcement agency, charged with delivering New Yorkers economic justice and an affordable city. DCWP leverages its authority to deliver real economic relief to New Yorkers and protect them from predatory, deceptive, and unfair practices that violate their consumer and workers’ rights. This includes pioneering cutting-edge protections, such as the City’s Consumer Protection Law, Protected Time Off Law, Fair Workweek Law, and Delivery Worker Laws, including the Minimum Pay Rate for delivery workers. While licensing more than 45,000 businesses in over 45 industries, we also ensure fair competition and a level playing field for responsible small businesses that are integral to New York City’s vibrant communities. DCWP also provides essential services, such as free tax preparation and financial counseling to ensure New Yorkers keep more of what they earn and can plan for their futures. Across our mission, DCWP is committed to making New York City a fairer, more affordable place to live. For more information about DCWP and its work, call 311 or visit DCWP at nyc.gov/dcwp, sign up for its newsletter, or follow on its social media sites, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Media Contact:
Stephany Vasquez Sanchez
Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
(212)-968-6733
press@dcwp.nyc.gov