Sun Badger Solar president faces more theft charges for never installing solar panels

POYNETTE, Wis. (WKOW) — The president of Sun Badger Solar is facing more felony theft charges after a Columbia County couple paid them $88,000 for solar panel work they say was never completed.

Trevor John Sumner, 42, is charged with theft in a business setting and theft by contractor. These new charges are in addition to other similar accusations, including ones in Dane County.

According to the criminal complaint, two people entered into a contract with Sun Badger Solar on Dec. 31, 2021 to install solar panels on their residence and shed in Poynette. Sumner was president of the company at the time and served as the couple’s point of contact.

The couple paid approximately $88,000 upfront in two checks written on Jan. 19, 2022, which was half the cost of the project. The estimated completion date was spring 2022.

The couple says Sun Badger Solar repeatedly made excuses for not installing the panels, including bad weather and issues with Alliant Energy.

By mid-December 2022, Sun Badger Solar installed railing for the solar panels but never installed anything else. The victims contacted Sumner about the delays, but they told law enforcement he failed to provide a meaningful explanation.

A Columbia County sheriff’s deputy called Sumner in February 2023. Sumner confirmed he was president of Sun Badger Solar and explained the company had financial issues with a company called Sunlight Financial, which resulted in Sun Badger Solar owing approximately $600,000. This caused the company to lay off 120 employees, Sumner said.

Law enforcement writes that Sumner confirmed he was familiar with this victims’ account and they had paid approximately $88,000 for work that had not been completed. “If there was any money left from that $88,000, it would have been used for other projects or taken by Sunlight Financial,” Sumner said, according to the complaint.

Sumner explained that Sun Badger Solar used funds received from certain clients, including the Poynette couple, to fund projects for other clients. By the time it came to working on the victims’ project, the money they had paid had already been converted.

Each felony count in this case carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.