Robbins LLP is Investigating the Allegations Against Sunnova Energy International Inc. (NOVA)
Robbins LLP informs investors that a shareholder filed a class action on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Sunnova Energy International Inc. (NYSE: NOVA) securities between February 25, 2020 and December 7, 2023. Sunnova provides energy as a service in the U.S. The Company offers electricity, as well as offers operations and maintenance, monitoring, repairs and replacements, equipment upgrades, on-site power optimization, and diagnostics services.
The Allegations: According to the complaint, in September 2023, Sunnova entered into a $3.0 billion partial loan guarantee agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy’s (“DOE”) Loan Programs Office (“LPO”) to support solar loans originated by Sunnova under a new solar loan channel named Project Hestia (the “LPO Loan”). In a press release detailing the LPO Loan, Sunnova stated that Project Hestia was expected to “provide disadvantaged homeowners and communities with increased access to clean, flexible power via Sunnova services by indirectly and partially guaranteeing the cash flows associated with consumers’ loans” and that Sunnova’s “purpose-built technology” was “designed to improve customer insights regarding their power usage and will facilitate demand response behavior.”
On November 22, 2023, the Washington Free Beacon published an article entitled “Biden Admin Gave $3 Billion Loan to Solar Company Accused of Scamming Elderly.” The article revealed that several consumer complaints had been brought against the Company for issues ranging from maintenance delays to predatory sales tactics used against elderly homeowners.
Then, on December 8, 2023, Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Chair of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Senator John Barrasso, ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, sent a letter to the DOE and Sunnova seeking information related to the LPO Loan and Project Hestia following the release of the “disturbing” reports regarding the Company. Specifically, the letter requested additional information regarding the LPO’s awareness of and treatment of Sunnova’s allegedly predatory business practices. On this news, Sunnova’s stock price fell $2.00 per share, or 16.12%, to close at $10.41 per share on December 8, 2023.
Plaintiff alleges that during the class period, defendants failed to disclose that: (i) Sunnova routinely engaged in predatory business practices against disadvantaged homeowners and communities, the same groups that Project Hestia was purportedly intended to benefit; and (ii) the foregoing conduct subjected the Company to a heightened risk of regulatory and/or governmental scrutiny, as well as significant reputational and/or financial harm.
What Now: You may be eligible to participate in the class action against Sunnova Energy International Inc.. Shareholders who want to serve as lead plaintiff for the class must file their papers with the court by April 16, 2024. A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. You do not have to participate in the case to be eligible for a recovery. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member.
All representation is on a contingency fee basis. Shareholders pay no fees or expenses.