Solar panel problems

Beware of high-pressure door-to-door sales for expensive work on your home.

Never sign anything you don’t fully understand and agree to. It’s harder to undo a contract than to just say no.

If a contractor pressures you to sign a contract or pay quickly, federal law lets you cancel the sale in writing within 3 business days. Send written notice that you’re canceling within 3 business days by certified mail. Keep a copy and proof of delivery. Your contract may include a form or instructions for where to send your cancellation.

If a salesperson came to your home to sell you solar panels, they may have gotten you to sign a contract before you had time to look into the offer and take steps to protect yourself. You may have signed on paper, on a touch tablet or cell phone, or through email. 

Many things can go wrong with solar panel installation, for example: 

• You never got a copy of the contract you signed
• The contract you signed doesn’t have language required by state law  
• The installation cost more than you were promised
• The contractor never started on the work
• An unfamiliar lender contacts you about a loan that you didn’t realize you applied for
• You were approved for a loan you could not afford
• The panels aren’t working properly or don’t provide the electric savings you were promised
• The panels didn’t pass inspection
• They installed different parts than what you paid or got permits for
• The people who installed the panels work for a different company than the salesperson or finance person
• The installation damaged your roof or other property

If any of these things happen, try to talk to a consumer protection lawyer. You might be able to sue the contractor and its bonding company, or other parties, if the contractor, sales company, or lender didn’t follow state law in selling or financing your solar panels. A judge who finds that one or more of those parties violated the Solar Energy Consumer Protections Act and Consumer Protection Act could award you triple damages. 

You may still have a claim against the lender even if the solar company went out of business or filed for bankruptcy.  Be cautious about engaging with solar debt recovery or consolidation companies without first speaking to an attorney about your case.