Abe Issa is a Lebanese-American entrepreneur born in 1982, known for his work in the clean energy sector. He graduated from Texas Christian University with a finance degree and initially succeeded in real estate before founding solar energy companies like Global Efficient Energy and EnviroSolar Power.
Abe IssaQuick Links
- Key Points
- Analysis of Abe Issa & Alleged Scam
- Early Life and Business Ventures
- Rise and Expansion
- Customer Complaints
- Legal Actions and Settlement
- Response from Abe Issa
- Current Status and Industry Impact
- Conclusion
Key Points
- Abe Issa, a clean energy entrepreneur, faced controversy over misleading solar sales practices.
- Issa’s companies promised significant electricity bill savings that often didn’t materialize, leading to customer complaints.
- The evidence leans toward legal actions, with a $3 million settlement in 2018 with the Texas Attorney General for deceptive trade practices.
Issa’s companies were accused of misleading customers by promising substantial savings on electricity bills from solar installations, which many customers didn’t achieve. For example, an 84-year-old customer spent $11,500 on weatherization with minimal bill reduction, and a Duncanville man saved only $177 on an $18,000 loan, taking 93 years to break even.
The Texas Attorney General investigated, leading to a 2018 settlement where Issa paid $3 million to address consumer complaints. This included strict sales protocols to prevent future deception. Issa acknowledged some issues in a 2016 interview, and as of April 2025, he remains active in the clean energy sector.
It is good to celebrate success, but it is more important to heed the lessons of failureAbe Issa
The quote looks nice to read but in reality it does not mean anything to Issa. Why? Lets look at the detailed analysis of his ventures that shattered dreams of many.
Analysis of Abe Issa & Alleged Scam
Abe Issa, a Lebanese-American entrepreneur born in 1982, has made significant strides in the clean energy industry, but his business practices have drawn considerable scrutiny, particularly regarding alleged misleading sales tactics in his solar energy companies. This report provides a comprehensive examination of his background, the nature of the complaints, legal actions, and his responses, aiming to offer a balanced view for readers interested in understanding the complexities of his business history.
Early Life and Business Ventures
Abe Issa moved to the United States in 1987 from Lebanon, settling in Fort Worth. He earned a finance degree from Texas Christian University, initially focusing on real estate. Between 2005 and 2010, he redeveloped over 500 homes and commercial properties in Dallas, Fort Worth, and South Texas.
By 2010, following the financial crash, he pivoted to clean energy, founding companies such as Global Efficient Energy, SolarExperts, Grid Energy, and EnviroSolar Power. These ventures aimed to provide solar energy solutions and energy efficiency services, earning early recognition from publications like Inc. Magazine for their rapid growth.
Rise and Expansion
Issa’s companies, including EnviroSolar Power, positioned themselves as leaders in residential solar installations, with claims of being among the top national providers. His business model integrated smart home technology with solar power, promoting sustainability and cost savings. However, this expansion was not without challenges, as customer feedback began to highlight discrepancies between promised and actual outcomes.
Customer Complaints
Customer complaints centered on exaggerated claims about electricity bill reductions that failed to materialize. Specific examples include:
- Alan Oldfield, 84: In one documented case, Oldfield spent $11,500 on a weatherization project facilitated by one of Issa’s companies. Despite expectations, his electric bills saw minimal reduction, leading to financial strain. The bank eventually wrote off the remaining $7,500 of his loan after his protests, as reported in a 2020 Dallas News article (Once a shining star).
- Duncanville Man: Another case involved a Duncanville resident who took out an $18,000 loan for solar panels, promised significant savings. After a year, he saved only $177, meaning it would take 93 years to break even on his investment, as detailed in a 2016 Watchdog report (Watchdog report).
These cases were part of a broader pattern, with customers reporting high-pressure sales tactics and unfulfilled promises, leading to an “F” rating from the Better Business Bureau for Global Efficient Energy by mid-2016, as noted in a 2016 Dallas News article (Can a Fort Worth entrepreneur recharge).
Legal Actions and Settlement
The Texas Attorney General’s office launched an investigation into Issa’s companies for violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practice Act and the Home Solicitation Act. In 2018, the investigation culminated in a settlement where Issa agreed to pay $3 million to address consumer complaints. This settlement included:
- A $2.3 million judgment, with $1.9 million allocated to consumers affected by his original companies (Global Efficient Energy, Energy Stars, Global NRG, Fort EPC, Solar Pow).
- An additional $700,000 from his newer entities (EnviroSolar, E-Grid Tech, EnviSolar, Next Step Energy, KMA Investments).
The legal documents, available at the settlement website (Agreed Final Judgment) and (Assurance of Voluntary Compliance), outline that his companies were prohibited from certain business practices in Texas and required to implement strict sales protocols, such as providing clear information on costs, tax credits, and expected savings.
| Company Name | Role in Settlement |
|---|---|
| Global Efficient Energy | Original company, part of $1.9M payout |
| Energy Stars | Included in original companies |
| Global NRG | Included in original companies |
| Fort EPC | Included in original companies |
| Solar Pow | Included in original companies |
| EnviroSolar | Newer entity, part of $700K payout |
| E-Grid Tech | Newer entity, part of $700K payout |
| EnviSolar | Newer entity, part of $700K payout |
| Next Step Energy | Newer entity, part of $700K payout |
| KMA Investments | Newer entity, part of $700K payout |
Response from Abe Issa
In a 2016 interview with The Dallas Morning News, Issa acknowledged the validity of many customer complaints, stating, “Sometimes, he blamed others. Sometimes, he accepted responsibility.” This admission came as his company faced significant reputational damage, leading to name changes in an attempt to distance from negative reviews. Despite these efforts, the attorney general pursued both old and new company names, indicating the depth of the issue.
Current Status and Industry Impact
As of April 2025, Abe Issa remains active in the clean energy sector, with his website (Home – Abe Issa) and LinkedIn profile (Abe Issa – LinkedIn) highlighting ongoing projects and awards, such as being a finalist for Entrepreneur of the Year.
However, the past controversies, including the $3 million settlement and customer complaints, continue to be a significant part of his business narrative, affecting trust among potential customers and stakeholders.
Conclusion
Abe Issa’s case shows why ethics and accountability matter in the solar energy industry. While Issa’s entrepreneurial spirit initially brought notable successes, his companies’ aggressive sales strategies and inadequate follow-through resulted in lasting reputational damage and significant legal repercussions. Consumers and investors should take Issa’s failures as a warning when considering renewable energy ventures.
Perhaps most telling is how Issa promised his alma mater, Texas Christian University, a $500,000 donation to create an Abe Issa Field Sales Lab—money that never materialized. If he is not sparing his alma mater, then who will trust him?
This detailed examination, supported by multiple sources, provides a comprehensive view of Abe Issa’s alleged scam, balancing his entrepreneurial achievements with the controversies that have marked his career in the solar energy sector.
