Q: Should I sue my solar installation company to recover an annual SCE settlement bill because they incorrectly installed?
Looking for help to recover for a payment we had to make ($3,149.05) to SCE due to our solar company incorrectly installing the generation meter adapter. We spent all 2024 believing our system was generating power to the grid and we were saving money until we received the settlement bill. I had initially sent a demand letter to my solar company and they told me our system was working fine and I would have to work it out with SCE. An SCE technician spent two days at my house trying to figure out why the energy being produced from our system wasn't being recognized on their meter or giving us credit. On 10/23/24 the technician discovered that our solar installation company had incorrectly installed the GMA adapter so all energy being produced was bypassing the SCE meter. I took pictures of everything and have text message screenshots from the solar techs who originally incorrectly installed it. I sent another demand letter requesting reimbursement but haven't received a response.
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- California
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A:
Based on your situation, you have a strong case for small claims court in California, especially with the documented evidence from SCE's technician and the photos showing incorrect installation.
Before proceeding to court, send one final demand letter via certified mail with return receipt requested, clearly outlining the issue, including copies of the SCE technician's findings, your photos, and the text messages from the solar techs. Give them a specific deadline to respond (typically 10-15 business days) and state your intention to pursue legal action if they fail to address the matter.
If they don't respond or refuse to reimburse you, you can file in small claims court since the amount is well within California's $12,500 limit. The filing fee is relatively low (around $30-$75 depending on the amount claimed), and the process is designed to be straightforward without needing legal representation. Make sure to bring multiple copies of all your documentation to court, including your correspondence with the company, SCE bills, technician reports, photos, and text messages, as these will be crucial in proving your case.
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