A Florida-based solar company, Custom Solar and Electric, has reportedly ceased operations, leaving numerous customers without promised battery energy storage systems despite having received substantial upfront payments. This development highlights growing consumer protection concerns within Florida's booming residential solar market, which ranked second nationally in new solar installations during the first quarter of 2025, trailing only Texas.

One affected customer, Livy Rhodes of DeSoto County, paid Custom Solar and Electric $30,000 in cash for backup batteries in late 2022, following Hurricane Ian, after her newly installed solar panels failed to provide power during the outage. Despite an implied three-week installation timeline, the batteries were never delivered, and the company has since vanished from its Fort Myers location. Rhodes's experience is not isolated, with multiple lawsuits filed against Custom Solar and Electric, including claims of incorrect equipment delivery.

David Keljik, the owner of Custom Solar and Electric, attributes the company's downfall to alleged embezzlement by a former employee, claiming nearly $200,000 in fraudulent transactions. Keljik filed a report with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office in late 2023, but no criminal charges have been publicly filed. Rhodes, who paid for her batteries over a year before Keljik reported the alleged fraud, expressed profound disappointment, stating, "This was your responsibility. This is something that you promised us as a customer, and we thought we could trust you."

This incident follows a consumer alert issued last year by the Florida Attorney General, warning of the "Dark Side of Solar" and identifying three companies accused of deceptive practices. Tom Miller, owner of Stilwell Solar in Estero, a long-standing local business, noted that his company frequently receives calls from homeowners whose original solar installers have gone out of business, leaving them without service. Miller emphasized the importance of thorough due diligence, advising consumers to research companies extensively, verify reviews, prefer local contractors, understand all contract terms—especially financing—and avoid paying in full before work completion. He also strongly recommends hiring a certified solar contractor, despite it not being a legal requirement.

Keljik initially agreed to an interview but later provided a text statement, expressing hope for full restitution from the alleged embezzlement to fulfill outstanding customer orders, stating, "We feel horrible that this happened. We are optimistic about a good outcome once he is caught." However, customers like Rhodes remain skeptical, facing significant financial losses and continued energy insecurity.