Older consumers were targeted by sales staff who promised, but failed to deliver, government subsidy refunds to cover the cost of solar equipment and maintenance. Between May 2023 and January 2025, more than GBP 3.1 million ($4.0 million) was deposited into bank accounts of two now defunct companies.
A British solar energy company has been closed after a fraud investigation found that older consumers were targeted with false promises about government grant repayments. A related company previously went bankrupt in 2025.
Research carried out by the UK government’s Insolvency Service has revealed that 80 complaints have been made about cold calls and unsolicited home visits by Trident West Industries Ltd representatives. and Star Solar Ltd.
The sales force targeted individuals with existing solar installations to convince them to purchase parts and maintenance plans, with the promise of reimbursement for government subsidies to cover costs.
In one case highlighted by the Insolvency Service, a customer paid GBP 3,420 for an inverter that never arrived. When they canceled the order, they were sold a GBP 1,883 maintenance subscription with the promise that the remaining balance would be refunded. The refund was never paid.
The Insolvency Service found that more than GBP 3.1 million ($4.0 million) had been deposited into the bank accounts of the two linked companies between May 2023 and January 2025. Only £7,010 was returned to nine complainants, despite the combined value of the complaints and injunctions against the companies totaling more than £413,000. The average age of the nine complainants was 76 years.
Trident West Industries Ltd was dissolved at the High Court in London on October 28, while Star Solar Ltd – which is linked through joint director Terry Smith – was voluntarily wound up in April 2025.
Mark George, chief investigator at the Insolvency Service, said the companies appeared to be deliberately exploiting vulnerable consumers through cold calling and door-to-door sales.
“Customers handed over their money believing they would receive solar equipment and maintenance plans and were repeatedly told that government subsidies would reimburse their payments. The promised goods and services were not delivered, and when customers tried to get their money back, the companies simply became unresponsive.
“This is exactly the kind of predatory behavior that undermines consumer confidence and will not be tolerated by the Insolvency Service,” George said.
The listed director of both companies claimed he had no control over the companies’ bank accounts, had no knowledge of their assets and liabilities, and could not account for payments of more than £1 million to various individuals and companies.
A court-appointed official has been appointed liquidator of Trident West Industries Ltd.
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