Estero solar company steps up after other business vanishes

DESOTO COUNTY, Fla. —

A 2025 Gulf Coast News Investigation now has a positive ending.

One Estero solar company is stepping up after another business vanished and left a customer in the dark.

CUSTOMER OUT $30K: ‘YOUR HEART DROPS’

Gulf Coast News first interviewed Livy Rhodes last year at her home and farm in rural DeSoto County.

After Hurricane Ian, she had paid a solar company $30,000 for backup batteries. But the company closed up and left her without batteries – or a refund – three years later.

“It's devastating,” she said in 2025. "Your heart drops. And then it's like, ‘What am I going to do?’”

When Gulf Coast News aired Rhodes’ story, we included an interview with a different company, Stilwell Solar, a longstanding business in Estero.

"Those few bad apples are spoiling the bunch, so to speak,” Tom Miller said in 2025.

Miller owns Stilwell Solar and shared advice when hiring someone.

A RESOLUTION, NEARLY FOUR YEARS LATER

After the story aired, Rhodes called Miller.

“He was more than happy to do whatever he could to try to help us,” she told Gulf Coast News in a new interview.

Fast forward to today, Rhodes finally has her solar batteries.

Earlier this spring, Stilwell Solar got the job done, got her a good deal, and even gave her free labor to cover the installation.

“Everything can't be about making a profit on every single job,” Miller said in a new interview with Gulf Coast News. “I believe if you do the right thing, things will come back around to you."

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE BUYING SOLAR PANELS

In 2024, Florida’s attorney general spotlighted the solar industry in a consumer alert, warning of the ‘Dark Side of Solar’ and three companies accused of bad practices.

Miller hopes their help to Rhodes proves that not every company is like that.

“I felt that was something our industry needs to do more of to combat the problems that are out there,” he said.

If you decide to switch to solar power, Miller advises people to:

– Research the company

– Avoid faraway companies

– Understand the contract you’re signing

– Don’t pay in full until work is done

– Hire a certified solar contractor

“They went ahead, very efficient, got it done in one day,” Rhodes said. “We finally got everything that we need to survive out here.”

ORIGINAL COMPANY'S OWNER INSISTS HE WILL PAY CUSTOMER

The company Livy originally hired, Custom Solar and Electric, still hasn’t refunded her the $30,000 and has since gone out of business.

Responding to Gulf Coast News in 2025, owner David Keljik blamed their problems on a former employee who, he claimed, stole from them.

He did file a police report, but that wasn’t until more than a year after Rhodes paid him.

“I just want the money back,” she said. “It's my money. I earned the money.”

Gulf Coast News again spoke with Keljik this month. Shortly after the phone call, he sent Rhodes a small portion of what he owes her. He said that while he still doesn’t have the money to refund her fully, he plans to pay her monthly until she is made whole.

The new batteries will restore the Rhodes’ electricity.

Miller and his team have restored their faith in people.

“Monkey's off my back. We finally have what we wanted,” she said. “I fought very long in order for me to get it."

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