On Monday, Feb. 22, 2016, Summerlin Energy Las Vegas LLC filed for bankruptcy protection. The bankruptcy filing occurred after the rooftop solar installer shut down operations and terminated most of its employees earlier in the month.

Summerlin's bankruptcy filing came during a shaky time for the rooftop solar industry in Southern Nevada. Summerlin Energy Las Vegas has between 200 and 300 creditors; it reported over $4 million in liabilities and less than $700,000 in property.

In January 2016, the rooftop solar industry in Southern Nevada took a massive hit after applications fell a whopping 93 percent. Industry professionals say that the plummet was a result of rate hikes that drove several local installers into the ground.

New Rate Hikes for Solar Customers

In December, the Public Utilities Commission approved a bill that increased rates for solar customers, a decision that eventually led several local and national installers, including Sunrun and SolarCity to shut down all company operations.

The new rates ultimately led to hundreds of layoffs throughout the Las Vegas region.

Several of the company's creditors included in the bankruptcy include workers who are claiming unpaid wages. Others creditors include numerous customers and vendors.

On Feb. 12, KTNV reported that one of the company's customers had a lien for $9,000 placed on her home because one of the company's vendors had not been paid. She was one of the creditors listed in the bankruptcy filing.

Summerlin Engergy is an affiliate of Summerlin Energy LLC; both companies filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on Feb. 22. Summerlin Energy owns five additional Summerlin Energy companies, all LLCs, in California, New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas.

If your business needs to file bankruptcy, contact a bankruptcy attorney in our directory for the legal support you need to navigate the process.