Customer sues solar power company claiming false advertising and trade violations

NEW ORLEANS – A local man who converted to solar power in hopes of saving significant costs on his electric bill is suing the company he purchased the equipment from claiming the business over-inflated the benefits of its product.

Herman Peters filed suit against Posigen LLC (Posigen Solar Systems) in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court on Nov. 14, 2014.

The plaintiff asserts that on Nov. 11, 2011, he signed a purchase agreement with Solar Solutions, now Posigen Inc., to have solar equipment placed on the roof of his New Orleans area home. He claims that the defendant advertised significant cost savings to its customers on television and print media, leading the plaintiff to believe that his electric bill would be much smaller following his purchase. The plaintiff claims that the cost savings realized by purchase of the materials were much less significant than advertised by the defendant. Additionally, he asserts that the company's "maintenance agreement" is misleading as the product in question does not require any maintenance and is in fact a lease for the equipment. The plaintiff claims this as a violation of the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices Act.

The plaintiff seeks an unspecified amount in damages for compensatory damages, statutory damages, restitution and attorneys fees.

The plaintiff is represented by New Orleans-based attorneys Darleen M. Jacobs, Al Sarrat and Rene Lovelace.

This case has been assigned to Division D Judge Nakisha Ervin-Knott.

Case no. 2014-10982.