The Better Earth solar lawsuit is a proposed federal class action, Quesada v. Better Earth Inc., et al., filed in September 2023 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. It accuses the California-based installer of missing its 90-day installation promise, leaving customers with solar systems that never fully worked, and continuing to bill them while their panels sat idle. As of mid-2026, the case is still pending, with no settlement, class certification ruling, or final judgment reported.1Top Class Actions. Better Earth Class Action Alleges Company Fails to Install Solar Panels in Timely Manner, Operable Condition
What the Complaint Alleges
The case (No. 6:23-cv-01809-PGB-LHP) was brought by Mercedes Quesada, whose contract with Better Earth promised installation within 90 days. She says her installation took 209 days, and the finished system was never fully operable or properly tied to the electrical grid.1Top Class Actions. Better Earth Class Action Alleges Company Fails to Install Solar Panels in Timely Manner, Operable Condition
The delay is only part of the claim. According to the complaint, Better Earth failed to pay a $1 million umbrella insurance premium that Duke Energy required before allowing solar systems to connect to the grid. Without that policy in place, the utility never installed the bi-directional meter at Quesada’s home. Her panels could not feed energy back to the grid, and she received no net metering credits. The lawsuit also alleges Better Earth connected panels to the grid without notifying the utility.1Top Class Actions. Better Earth Class Action Alleges Company Fails to Install Solar Panels in Timely Manner, Operable Condition
The financial squeeze on customers is central to the case. Buyers paid their regular electric bills and their monthly solar loan payments at the same time, because the systems produced no usable savings. The complaint says Better Earth had been reimbursing customers for those monthly loan payments while the systems were inoperable, but stopped making those reimbursements in June 2023.2ClassAction.org. Quesada v. Better Earth Inc., et al., Complaint
The Legal Claims and Relief Sought
The suit is built on breach of contract. Better Earth’s own agreements promised the 90-day timeline, the umbrella policy payment, and the loan reimbursements, and the complaint alleges the company failed on all three. The plaintiffs also frame the conduct as unfair and deceptive trade practices, arguing that Better Earth misled customers about savings, system performance, and financing terms.3Vargas Gonzalez Delombard, LLP. Solar Panel Lawsuits
If the allegations hold up, the plaintiff seeks compensatory and punitive damages on behalf of a nationwide class of Better Earth customers who experienced similar failures.
Who Is Bringing the Case
Quesada is represented by Louis A. Gonzalez of Vargas Gonzalez Delombard, LLP, along with James Jonathan Rosemergy of Carey, Danis and Lowe and Jacob Alex Flint of Jacob Flint Law. Vargas Gonzalez Delombard is a Florida-based class-action and consumer-protection firm that takes these cases on contingency.1Top Class Actions. Better Earth Class Action Alleges Company Fails to Install Solar Panels in Timely Manner, Operable Condition
Complaints Beyond the Lawsuit
The problems described in the complaint mirror what customers have said through other channels. Better Earth’s Better Business Bureau profile shows 96 complaints filed over the preceding three years as of mid-2026, with 17 closed in the most recent 12-month period. Sixty-two involved service or repair issues; the rest were order problems and product defects.4Better Business Bureau. Better Earth Solar Complaints
Customers in California, Arizona, and Florida have reported a range of issues:
- Roof damage and mold. Several customers reported persistent leaks traced to the installation, causing ceiling damage, attic damage, and mold growth. One customer alleged that mold contributed to the death of their exotic animals.4Better Business Bureau. Better Earth Solar Complaints
- Failed inspections. One reviewer reported five failed inspections for the same code violation.5SolarReviews. Better Earth Reviews
- Higher, not lower, monthly costs. One customer said total monthly energy costs jumped from $250 to over $500 after going solar. Others described waiting months or years for “Permission to Operate” status while paying both utility bills and solar financing.5SolarReviews. Better Earth Reviews
- Silence after the sale. A recurring theme is unreturned calls and emails once installation problems began.4Better Business Bureau. Better Earth Solar Complaints
Where Things Stand and What Customers Can Do
The case remains pending in the Middle District of Florida, with no class certification ruling or settlement on the record.1Top Class Actions. Better Earth Class Action Alleges Company Fails to Install Solar Panels in Timely Manner, Operable Condition Better Earth continues to operate from its headquarters in Cerritos, California, serving customers in California, Arizona, Florida, and Texas. The company was founded in 2019 and advertises a 60-day installation guarantee along with 25-year workmanship and equipment warranties.6Better Earth. Better Earth Solar Home
Customers who believe they were affected by the installation practices at issue in Quesada can request a free case evaluation through the Vargas Gonzalez Delombard website. The firm asks potential clients to have their solar contract and finance agreement available when they reach out.3Vargas Gonzalez Delombard, LLP. Solar Panel Lawsuits