Texas RioGrande Legal Aid attorney Wayne Krause Yang and El Paso retiree Lorena Vargas during a press conference Wednesday at the TRLA offices, 1331 Texas. On behalf of Vargas, TRLA filed counterclaims against a solar panel scam that left her with $100,000 in loan debt.
Lorena Vargas, a 67-year-old retiree who lives on a fixed income, said she pays less than $30 a month for electricity.
El Paso Inc. Reporter
Texas RioGrande Legal Aid attorney Wayne Krause Yang and El Paso retiree Lorena Vargas during a press conference Wednesday at the TRLA offices, 1331 Texas. On behalf of Vargas, TRLA filed counterclaims against a solar panel scam that left her with $100,000 in loan debt.
When El Pasoan Lorena Vargas learned she was being sued over more than $100,000 in loan debt for solar panels, she had one question: How could she owe money for panels she said were never installed?
Vargas, a 67-year-old retiree who primarily speaks Spanish, sought help from Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, or TRLA, which filed counterclaims on her behalf alleging unfair debt collection, negligence and identity theft.
During a Wednesday news conference at TRLA’s offices in Central El Paso, Vargas shared her story – one attorneys say reflects a growing number of cases involving older adults and residents with limited English proficiency.
“I’m having the worst nightmare of my life, for money that I never asked for, a loan that I never asked for. I don’t even have solar panels on my house,” she said in a shaky voice. “I’m here because I want to do the right thing, and these people are helping me.”
Vargas lives on a fixed income through Social Security and said she pays less than $30 a month for electricity.
As Texas ramps up efforts to crack down on deceptive solar sales, TRLA attorneys and solar advocates say Vargas’ legal fight highlights what they describe as increasingly common schemes.
Lorena Vargas, a 67-year-old retiree who lives on a fixed income, said she pays less than $30 a month for electricity.
TRLA attorney Wayne Krause Yang said the organization has received more than 30 complaints related to alleged solar panel scams in 2025.
“We’re happy Ms. Vargas was willing to share her story because there are so many people out there who are being scammed,” Yang said. “Many of them are elderly, don’t speak English as their first language and don’t have the money to pay the debts or the knowledge of how they can fight back.”
The counterclaims name Cross River Bank, Sunlight Financial LLC and Titan Asset Purchasing LLC as counter-defendants.
The organizations did not respond to El Paso Inc.’s requests for comment.
According to the lawsuit filed by TRLA, Cross River Bank – a New Jersey-based state-chartered bank and lending partner for financial technology companies – has been connected to multiple disputed solar financing cases.
The lawsuit alleges Cross River Bank failed to adequately oversee how signatures were obtained for financing contracts and failed to maintain responsible lending practices.
Yang said Cross River Bank has appeared repeatedly in complaints brought to the TRLA, a nonprofit that offers free civil legal services to low-income residents in 68 southwest Texas counties.
“These folks probably hoped our client would be unable to defend herself. They guessed wrong,” Yang said. “Our hope is that the court will produce a finding that not only provides relief to Ms. Vargas but to the citizens of El Paso more broadly.”
Texas responds to solar panel complaints
Vargas’ experience is one that consumer advocates say has affected residents across Texas. As residential solar adoption has increased statewide, so have complaints involving alleged fraud and consumer confusion.
Complaints to Texas agencies related to solar panel scams increased by more than 500% from 2018 to 2023, according to the American Association of Retired Persons.
Nicole Maesse, deputy director of TRLA, said scammers often exploit interest in clean energy to target consumers.
“If someone comes to your home to sell you anything, you should be cautious and never hand over your phone or provide personal information,” Maesse said.
The issue has prompted state lawmakers to pursue new legislation aimed at deceptive solar sales practices.
In April, the Texas Senate passed SB 1036, the Residential Solar Retailer Regulatory Act, which seeks to regulate residential solar transactions and protect homeowners from deceptive sales practices. Its next stop is Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk.
If enacted, the measure would require companies, salespeople and retailers to register with the state beginning Sept. 1. Violations involving deceptive marketing practices could result in penalties of up to $100,000.
The El Paso County Attorney’s Office said it has monitored reports of predatory and deceptive solar sales practices and may be able to assist affected residents.
“Under Texas law, some deceptive trade practices related to solar sales may warrant criminal review, and the El Paso County Attorney’s Office is prepared to evaluate these cases and pursue appropriate action when necessary,” County Attorney Christina Sanchez said. “I encourage anyone who believes they may have been affected to file a report with the El Paso Police Department, gather any relevant documents and bring their case number and information to our office so we can review the matter and help determine the next steps.”
Solar United Neighbors, a nonprofit that promotes informed and safe solar adoption, said fraudulent sales practices can undermine trust in the industry.
Sam Silerio, Texas program director for Solar United Neighbors, said scams like Vargas’ case harm legitimate companies that sell and install solar systems in El Paso.
“What happened to Ms. Vargas is heartbreaking and far too common,” he said. “While these scams cause real harm, solar remains one of the best investments a Texas homeowner can make with proper precautions. No one should have to navigate this alone.”
For Vargas, speaking publicly was about more than fighting the lawsuit; it was about warning others before they find themselves in the same position.
“This company suing me just came out of nowhere while I’m trying to survive,” she said. “I don’t want this to happen to anyone else. I only get Social Security and don’t have money to pay this debt. I just want this to be made right.”
Email El Paso Inc. reporter Luis Rios at lrios@elpasoinc.com or call 915-534-4422 ext. 132.
El Paso Inc. Reporter
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Your comment has been submitted.
Reported
There was a problem reporting this.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.
We’re always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what’s going on!
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Our top news stories delivered directly to your email inbox.
Plan out your weekend with our calendar of events, as well as lifestyle, community features, arts and culture, entertainment and sports stories from across the borderland every Friday.
A monthly curated email filled with giveaways, coupons, upcoming events and features of the top places, people and things around town.
Be the first to know about our monthly contests, giveaways and special events.
Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.
We recommend switching to one of the following browsers:
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Account processing issue – the email address may already exist
Must be at least 8 characters, not contain repeating characters (e.g., 111), and not contain sequential numbers (e.g., 123).
Our top news stories delivered directly to your email inbox.
Plan out your weekend with our calendar of events, as well as lifestyle, community features, arts and culture, entertainment and sports stories from across the borderland every Friday.
A monthly curated email filled with giveaways, coupons, upcoming events and features of the top places, people and things around town.
Be the first to know about our monthly contests, giveaways and special events.
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Invalid password or account does not exist
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Must be at least 8 characters, not contain repeating characters (e.g., 111), and not contain sequential numbers (e.g., 123).
Secure transaction. Secure transaction. Cancel anytime.
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
A receipt was sent to your email.
