The GoodLeap Dealer Fee: Why Your Solar Loan Costs More Than You Think

## The GoodLeap Dealer Fee: The Hidden Cost Inflating Your Solar Loan GoodLeap is the largest solar lender in America, financing billions of dollars in solar installations annually. But there is a dirty secret buried in their business model: the dealer fee. Here is how it works and why it's costing homeowners tens of thousands of dollars. ## What Is a Dealer Fee? When a solar company uses GoodLeap to finance your installation, GoodLeap pays the solar dealer a fee — typically 15-40% of your total loan amount. This fee is not disclosed to you as a separate line item. Instead, it gets rolled into your loan balance. **Example:** You agree to a $30,000 solar installation. The dealer's GoodLeap fee is 25%, or $7,500. Your actual loan amount becomes $37,500 — but the contract just shows $37,500 as the "system cost." You never see the $7,500 fee. ## Why This Is a Problem **1. You're financing a fee, not equipment.** A significant portion of your loan is paying the dealer's profit margin, not solar panels or installation. **2. The system is overpriced.** Because dealers get paid more when loan amounts are higher, there's a direct incentive to inflate system costs. **3. You can't comparison shop the fee.** Since the fee is hidden in the system price, you can't compare it across lenders. **4. It creates negative equity.** If you sell your home before paying off the loan, you may owe more than the panels are worth. ## Is This Legal? Currently, yes — though it's under scrutiny. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has been investigating solar loan dealer fees. Several class action lawsuits have been filed against GoodLeap and other solar lenders. ## What You Can Do 1. **Before signing:** Ask the dealer directly what the GoodLeap dealer fee is on your loan. They are required to disclose it if asked. 2. **Compare lenders:** Get quotes from Mosaic, Sunlight Financial, and credit unions to compare true costs. 3. **After signing:** If you believe the fee was not disclosed, file a complaint with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov. 4. **Consult an attorney:** Several law firms specialize in solar loan fraud cases. [Get a free contract review at BreakYourSolarContract.com](https://breakyoursolarcontract.com).