When your solar company goes out of business, your loan payments continue but your warranty support is gone. Immediate steps: contact the equipment manufacturers directly for product warranties, set up third-party monitoring, file a claim in any bankruptcy proceedings, check whether the company carried liability insurance for outstanding damage claims, and consult a consumer attorney about FTC Holder Rule defenses if your system is not functioning.
The Solar Orphan Problem
You are a solar orphan. Your installer is gone. The warranty is unenforceable. The monitoring may be dark. The loan payment keeps coming. You have a significant piece of equipment on your roof and no one responsible for it. This situation affects tens of thousands of homeowners across the US following the bankruptcies and closures of SunPower, ADT Solar, Pink Energy, and dozens of regional installers.
Step 1: Contact Equipment Manufacturers Directly
Your solar system has two categories of warranties: the installer's workmanship warranty (which is gone with the company) and the equipment manufacturers' product warranties (which may still be valid). Find your panel brand and inverter brand from your installation documents. Contact those manufacturers directly with your serial numbers. SolarEdge, Enphase, LG, REC, QCells — all major manufacturers have warranty programs that exist independently of the installer. Equipment manufacturer warranties often cover 10 to 25 years and remain valid even when the installer closes.
Step 2: Set Up Third-Party Monitoring
If your original monitoring platform is gone, set up replacement monitoring based on your inverter type. Enphase microinverter customers can use Enlighten directly. SolarEdge customers can use the SolarEdge portal. SMA inverter customers can use SMA Sunny Portal. An independent solar service technician can configure any of these for you.
Step 3: Find a New Service Provider
Independent solar service companies can maintain and repair your existing system regardless of who installed it. Get quotes from local service providers — not just installers — who specialize in system maintenance and repair.
Step 4: Address the Loan
Your solar loan obligation continues. However, if your system is not functioning and was never properly repaired, the FTC Holder Rule may give you defenses against the lender. Consult a consumer attorney before stopping payments. If the installer committed fraud, your lender may be a viable defendant under the Holder Rule.
Trapped in a solar contract?
Our partner attorneys offer free, no-obligation contract reviews. Find out your options in minutes.
Get Your Free Contract ReviewIs Your Solar Contract Trapping You?
Thousands of homeowners are stuck in bad solar deals. Get a free review and find out if you have options.
Get Your Solar Contract Reviewed
Not sure if your deal was structured fairly? Our free review helps you understand your rights and options.
Get Free Contract Review →