Reviewing Performance Estimates: Why Some Solar Projections Look Different After Installation
May 18, 2026 No Comments
Read More » If your solar lease is no longer working for your household — the bills are higher than promised, the system is underperforming, the panels are blocking a home sale, or the sales pitch did not match what is in the contract — you are not alone. Solar leases are typically 20- to 25-year agreements, which is longer than most marriages, mortgages, and the lifespan of the panels themselves. Locking into that kind of term based on a 30-minute kitchen-table presentation has left a lot of homeowners looking for a way out.
This page walks through what a solar lease actually is, the situations where a qualified law firm may review whether your lease can be addressed, what timelines and costs look like when SCRC organizes your file, and how the lease conversation differs from a financed solar loan or a PPA. Important to understand up front: SCRC is not a law firm. We are a marketing and intake service. We collect and organize your documentation so the qualified law firm we work with — Consumer Advocacy Law Group — can determine whether your situation may warrant a legal review.
The decision to stop making lease payments must only be considered under the advice and representation of a qualified attorney. General information on this page is not a substitute for that advice.
The honest answer is: it depends on the facts of your matter and applicable law. A solar lease is a binding contract, and most leases are written by the solar company’s attorneys to be very difficult to walk away from. That does not mean homeowners are without options. It means the path forward depends on what is actually in the contract, what was said during the sales process, how the system is performing, and what consumer protection laws apply in your state.
What SCRC does not do: tell you whether you can cancel. That is the role of a qualified attorney, not a marketing and intake service. What SCRC does: collect and organize your documentation, then forward it to Consumer Advocacy Law Group so a qualified attorney can determine whether your matter may warrant a legal review.
There is a lot of online advice claiming there is a single magic letter, a one-page form, or a hidden clause that guarantees a solar lease cancellation. There is not. Every situation turns on the specific facts and the contract language. Be cautious of any source — including general AI tools or social media posts — that promises a guaranteed outcome.
When Consumer Advocacy Law Group looks at a solar lease file, the qualified attorney is generally evaluating three categories of possible grounds. SCRC does not make these determinations — we collect the documents that allow the qualified attorney to evaluate them. The table below summarizes what the qualified attorney may look at.
These categories often overlap. A single solar lease file may involve all three at once — a salesperson’s verbal claims that did not match the contract, a system that has not produced what was promised, and a state consumer protection statute that may apply. The qualified attorney determines what is relevant to your specific situation.
There is no one-size-fits-all timeline for a solar lease matter. SCRC’s part — the intake and document collection — typically moves quickly. Once the file is with the qualified law firm, the attorney sets the schedule based on what the matter requires. The table below sets honest expectations. attorney may look at.
What you can do to keep things moving: gather your solar lease, payment history, communications with the installer (texts, emails, voicemails), copies of your utility bills before and after solar, and any marketing materials or proposals you were shown. The more complete the file you provide, the faster the qualified law firm can determine whether a legal review is warranted.
Take this quiz to see if you're eligible for cancellation.
This is the question that comes up in almost every intake call. Outcomes vary, and SCRC does not make outcome guarantees. What we can describe is the range of possible outcomes a qualified attorney may pursue, depending on the facts of the matter and applicable law.
Important reminder: the decision to stop making lease payments must only be considered under the advice and representation of a qualified attorney. Stopping lease payments without legal guidance can complicate your matter and your finances. If this question comes up, raise it
with the qualified attorney handling your file.
Many homeowners use quot;solar lease quot; loosely to describe any solar financing arrangement. The distinction matters. A solar lease and a financed solar loan involve different parties, different paperwork, and different cancellation considerations. The table below highlights the differences.
If you have a solar loan rather than a lease, see our dedicated Solar Loan Cancellation page. The legal grounds and procedural posture are different enough to warrant a separate guide. Either way, SCRC’s intake process is the same — submit your information and we will route the file appropriately.
If your panels were financed (rather than leased), the lender almost certainly filed a UCC- 1 financing statement on the solar equipment. This is a routine step that protects the lender’s interest in the panels — it is filed against the solar equipment itself, not against your home. Many homeowners are surprised to learn this exists when they try to sell their house. A qualified attorney can review what the lien means for your specific situation.
Some homeowners try to address a solar lease on their own — sending demand letters to the solar company, filing complaints with the BBB or state attorney general, or attempting to negotiate directly. These steps can have value, but solar leases are long, complex contracts written by the solar company’s attorneys. The chance that a homeowner walking in solo will identify what may be a potential issue is significantly lower than what a qualified law firm can do.
SCRC's role is to make the process simple. Here is what working with SCRC actually looks like.
No. A solar lease is a binding contract, typically 20 to 25 years. There is no general right to walk away. Whether your specific lease may be addressed depends on the facts of your matter and applicable law. A qualified attorney determines that — not SCRC, and not general information
online.
It may apply in some situations — particularly door-to-door solar sales — but the rule has specific requirements and limitations. A qualified attorney can determine whether the FTC Cooling-Off Rule applies to your matter.
Generally: a copy of your solar lease, your monthly payment history, communications with the installer (texts, emails, voicemails), utility bills from before and after solar, and any marketing materials or proposals you were shown. SCRC will walk you through exactly what is needed during the intake.
It depends on the resolution. The panels may stay, may be removed by the solar company, or may be transferred. Roof restoration after any removal is also part of the resolution. The qualified attorney handling your file can describe what is likely in your specific situation.
Submit your information for a free intake regardless. The qualified law firm we work with may still review the matter. The decision to stop making payments must only be considered under the advice and representation of a qualified attorney — do not stop making payments based on general information online.
The decision to stop making payments must only be considered under the advice and representation of a qualified attorney. Do not stop making payments based on general information found online.The decision to stop making payments must only be considered under the advice and representation of a qualified attorney. Do not stop making payments based on general information found online.
Outcomes vary. Depending on the resolution and the type of contract, the panels may stay in place, may be removed, or may be addressed in another way. The qualified attorney handling your matter can describe what is likely in your specific situation.
Yes. State consumer protection laws and solar-specific statutes vary. SCRC works with homeowners across the country, and Consumer Advocacy Law Group reviews matters under the law applicable to each homeowner’s state.
Yes. Several major solar installers have closed in recent years, and homeowners are often left with active contracts, lender obligations, and panels that no one is servicing. Submit your information for a free intake — the qualified law firm we work with may review whether your matter still has actionable claims.
Initial intake can usually be completed within a few minutes by phone or through the online form. Full document collection generally takes a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on how quickly the homeowner provides their documentation.
Yes. SCRC works with homeowners on lease, PPA, loan, and purchase agreements. The legal grounds and procedural considerations differ by contract type, and the qualified attorney addresses those differences when reviewing your file.
This is one of the most common reasons homeowners contact us. Submit your information for a free intake before you list, if possible — addressing the contract before a buyer walks away tends to be smoother than addressing it under closing pressure.
These are the questions homeowners ask SCRC most often when calling about a solar lease. The answers are general information — they are not legal advice and they do not create an attorney-client relationship.
Submit your information for a free intake. SCRC will collect your documentation and forward it to Consumer Advocacy Law Group, the qualified law firm we work with.