Dozens around Kansas City metro report solar panel rip-offs

At least 34 people in Kansas City have emailed or called KMBC 9 Investigates in the past two weeks to say they feel scammed by companies promising lower electric bills with solar panels.Now, those people are stuck with high loan payments and solar panels that are not working as advertised.Three friends from Kansas City, Kansas, are the latest to share their struggles with solar panels in KMBC’s investigation called The Solar Scam.Each of their loans add up to tens of thousands of dollars. Their bills, according to their loan documents, will last for decades.Arlena McDaniel told KMBC 9 Investigates a salesman came to her door, pushing her to buy a solar system worth tens of thousands. “And I told my good friends, thinking it was a good deal,” McDaniel said. “We all thought it was a good deal.”“It is terrible,” Pat Black said.”I wouldn’t have ever signed that contract,” said Teresa Dotson.The salesman, they said, promised a $10,000 energy rebate, and electric bills that would go away.The solar company is now bankrupt.The friends don’t place any blame on McDaniel or each other. But now, they are seeking help on their next steps to get out of their loan contracts.”It was just God’s grace and mercy that I was sitting right there in front of the TV when it came on. I’m like, ‘Oh,’” said McDaniel after seeing KMBC’s Solar Scam investigation. KMBC’s investigation has exposed ways solar customers are getting ripped off. KMBC reached out to the Board of Public Utilities after seeing a recent warning about solar companies misrepresenting their relationship with the utility.Jeremy Ash, general manager of the Board of Public Utilities, told people to take their time and reach out to their utility and insurance company before signing any contract.”Those folks are there to help you and advocate for you and suggest things to you that maybe you can counter with, or maybe that you should just walk away from,” Ash said.BPU also had these tipsAlways ask for identification if someone claims to represent BPUDo not feel pressured to make a decision based on claims that a company is affiliated with or endorsed by BPUVerify claims directly with BPU Customer Care at 913-572-9190Evergy also issued a warning in 2025 that solar companies are going door to door telling customers that they are partnering with the utility company.“Evergy has working relationships with solar companies in our service area, but we do not partner with any of them,” the warning said.KMBC is sending this solar scam investigation to both Kansas and Missouri lawmakers. Consumers have some protection against bad contracts in both states, but other states have tougher laws.”I’ve been praying, and we’ve all been praying. And I know God’s going to work it out for us,” McDaniel said.If you feel ripped off by a solar panel contract, KMBC is starting to build a list of names to send to lawmakers. Email investigates@kmbc.com if you’d like to share your story.