(WFSB) - Vision Solar has agreed to pay the state of Connecticut $5 million after it was sued for high-pressure sales tactics. However, the I-Team has learned Connecticut customers will likely never see any of that money.

An I-Team investigation in February 2024 found that between 2021 and the start of 2024, V ision Solar accounted for 45% of all solar complaints to the Connecticut attorney general’s office.

The attorney general filed a lawsuit against Vision Solar alleging the company engaged in high pressure sales tactics and preyed on low-income and disabled homeowners.

On Friday, October 11th, a $5 million dollar judgement against Vision Solar was announced.

“My job as the attorney general in this situation is as a law enforcement official, leading a law enforcement agency. We’re going after bad actors and making them pay,” said attorney general William Tong.

However, in this case, Tong knows the state may never receive any money because Vision Solar has filed for bankruptcy.

“The challenge is if they filed for bankruptcy and they’re adjudicated to be bankrupt, we never we may never see that money,” said Tong.

If the state received the $5 million, the money would go into the general fund because it is civil fines and penalties. The money would not be used as restitution for Vision Solar customers.

The I-Team has shared the stories of several unhappy Vision Solar customers, including Michael Hickey in Waterbury.

Hickey has filed a claim against Vision Solar in bankruptcy court and feels he should be paid back first.

“As a resident of Connecticut, I feel like the state has enough money, why should I lose out on my opportunity to collect damages,” said Hickey.

Tong encourages customers to file a claim in bankruptcy court and says they can also apply to get up to $25,000 from the state’s home guaranty fund.

Tong says the biggest takeaway from the judgment is the message it sends to other solar companies.

“I think it’s also really important to note is that this sets the tone for our other litigation and our other lawsuits against solar companies like Sunrun. Now it’s really clear to people what we expect them to do,” said Tong.

The judgment also includes stipulations about how Vision Solar would have to do business if it ever tried to operate again in Connecticut. The stipulations about its sales practices and contracts are the standards Tong hopes other solar companies take note of.

The state’s lawsuit against Sunrun is still working its way through the courts. Sunrun says the lawsuit deals with subcontractors that allegedly did not meet the company’s expectations.