Solar Panel Company Closed After Misleading Pensioners With False Refund Claims
A solar energy business that misled older homeowners with promises of non-existent government rebates has been shut down by order of the High Court, following an Insolvency Service investigation. Its connected company had already entered voluntary liquidation earlier in the year.
The inquiry centred on London-based Trident West Industries Ltd and Star Solar Ltd, two companies linked by a common director. Investigators uncovered a pattern of cold calls, doorstep visits and high-pressure sales tactics that left customers, many of them pensioners, out of pocket for products or maintenance plans that were never delivered.
Misleading claims and unfulfilled promises
According to the Insolvency Service, 80 complaints were made to Trading Standards and Action Fraud about representatives from the two companies. They targeted people who already owned solar panels, persuading them to pay upfront for new parts, upgrades or maintenance contracts. In many cases, customers were told they would be reimbursed through government grants, which did not, in fact, exist.
Between May 2023 and January 2025, the companies took in more than £3.1 million. Yet only £7,010 was ever returned to complainants, despite outstanding complaints and County Court Judgments exceeding £413,000. Those affected were predominantly older homeowners, with an average age of 76.
Customers who attempted to cancel within the legal cooling-off period said their refunds were simply ignored. Calls and messages went unanswered, and in some cases, new charges were applied instead of refunds.
Examples highlighted by investigators included:
- A customer who paid £3,420 for an inverter that never arrived. When they cancelled the order, they were sold a £1,883 maintenance plan instead, with a promise that the remaining balance would be returned. It never was.
- Another customer cancelled well within the cooling-off period and received assurances that their refund was being processed. Despite repeated attempts to follow up, no refund ever materialised.
Failures in governance and missing records
The director common to both companies told investigators that he had set up Star Solar Ltd, but claimed Trident West Industries Ltd was established by an unnamed third party. He denied having control over the companies’ bank accounts and could not explain why more than £1 million had been transferred to various individuals and businesses.
Trident West Industries Ltd also failed to file accounts due in April 2025 and did not submit its confirmation statement the previous summer, breaching statutory obligations under the Companies Act 2006. The company’s website became inaccessible, and its email address was not functioning.
High Court action
Trident West Industries Ltd was wound up by the High Court on 28 October, with the Official Receiver appointed as liquidator. Its associated company, Star Solar Ltd, entered voluntary liquidation in April 2025.