SunPower Defective Solar Panels $4.75M Class Action Settlement

SunPower agreed to pay $4.75 million under a class action lawsuit settlement to resolve claims that it sold solar panels with defective microinverters.

The settlement benefits Class Members who purchased one or more SunPower solar modules (also called solar panels) equipped with defective microinverters and/or own a house where these modules are installed. 

The allegedly defective microinverters were installed in SunPower solar panels between July 2015 and December 2016 and carry serial numbers beginning with 4140515xxxx and 4140516xxxx. These were equipped in solar modules included in SunPower’s Equinox systems with the following model numbers: 

• SPR-E20-327-C-AC
• SPR-E19-320-C-AC
• SPR-E18-305-C-AC
• SPR-X22-360-C-AC
• SPR-X21-350-BLK-C-AC
• SPR-X21-345-C-AC
• SPR-X21-335-C-AC
• SPR-X21-335-BLK-C-AC
• SPR-X20-327-BLK-C-AC

SunPower is a solar power company based in Silicon Valley. The company reportedly holds over 1,000 patents for solar innovation and, according to the company’s website, has been the No. 1 ranked commercial solar company since 2017.

However, consumers who purchased solar panels from the company may have unknowingly paid for defective products.

Plaintiffs in the SunPower class action lawsuit claim the company sold solar panels with defective microinverters. The microinverters were allegedly manufactured with a defective component from a third party; that component causes the parts to degrade prematurely, generate less power, and even stop working.

As a result of this defect, the plaintiffs contend consumers who purchased SunPower solar panels faced financial damages due to premature product failure and increased electric utility bills. According to the SunPower class action lawsuit, the solar power company is liable for these damages.

SunPower hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to resolve these claims with a $4.75 million settlement.

The settlement promises cash payments to consumers who experienced any of the following: lost or reduced power production, property damage due to microinverter repair or replacement, and/or loss of solar renewable energy credits or other incentives. According to the settlement website, payments are expected to be $173.52 per Class Member.

The SunPower class action settlement also provides non-monetary benefits to Class Members.

 The company agreed to maintain and establish an Enhanced Customer Care Program through Dec. 31, 2021, in order to help Class Members with any questions surrounding the settlement.

Under the terms of the settlement, SunPower also agreed to retrofit all defective microinverters. SunPower reportedly started to replace defective components in 2017. The company agreed to repair all remaining microinverters by June 30, 2021.

The deadline for exclusion and objection was Jan. 10, 2022. 

The final approval hearing in the SunPower solar panels lawsuit settlement is scheduled for March 24, 2022.

Class Members must submit a valid claim form by March 10, 2022, in order to receive payments from the settlement.

Who’s Eligible

The settlement benefits Class Members who purchased one or more SunPower solar modules (also called solar panels) equipped with defective microinverters and/or own a house where these modules are installed.

Potential Award

$173.52

Proof of Purchase

No proof of purchase applicable

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

03/10/2022

Case Name

Weiss, et al. v. SunPower Corporation, Case No. 21CV384151, in the Superior Court of the State of California in and for the County of Santa Clara

Final Hearing

03/24/2022

Settlement Website

MicroinverterSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Microinverter Settlement
c/o A.B. Data, Ltd.
P.O. Box 173052
Milwaukee, WI 53217
877-888-4642
info@MicroinverterSettlement.com

Class Counsel

Shanon J. Carson Esq
Glen Abramson Esq
Jeff Osterwise Esq
Amey Park Esq
Berger Montague PC

Sophia Rios Esq
Berger Montague PC

Defense Counsel

Darren Cottriel
Sharyl Reisman
JONES DAY