A dispute over an overdue solar bill drew attention on Reddit after a family said a company refused to deal with a widow because the account was still tied to her late husband.
Relatives also said they were terrified that the agreement he signed just two months before passing might put their home in danger.
Here's what to know
According to a post on Reddit's r/SolarPower community, the original poster explained that their father signed onto a solar arrangement after salespeople showed up while the rest of the family was away.
OP wrote, "My father a couple months before he passed decided to get solar panels installed. He wasn't in his right mind as he was always confused and in and out of the hospital."
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They added, "By the time we got home he was already signing the contract." The OP added that the bills kept getting paid for a time after his death through automatic withdrawals from their parents' joint account.
The problem became apparent only after the family changed banks, the company went bankrupt, and a past-due notice addressed to the father arrived because the payments had previously been on autopay from the couple's joint checking account.
They said that despite their widowed mother sending proof of death, they were still told the company would not speak with her. Now, the family worries that missed payments might jeopardize the home.
Replies largely pointed the family to legal help rather than trying to sort it out on their own. One wrote, "I had to hire an elder law attorney to get my uncle out of a contract he felt forced to sign. I would start there if I were you."
Another commenter recommended talking with a lawyer who knows the relevant local law and, for those in the U.S., using the state Bar Association for a referral, since contract law, estate issues, and homeownership may overlap.
The story underscores the importance of working with a vetted solar company before adding panels to a home. When done right, going solar is still one of the best ways to save money on home energy. Homeowners can try EnergySage to get free solar installation estimates and compare quotes. With EnergySage's help, the average person can save up to $10,000 on solar purchases and installations.
Plus, EnergySage's solar map shows the average cost of a home solar panel system on a state-by-state level, as well as details on solar panel incentives for each state.
Where can I learn more?
Solar decisions can get complicated fast, especially when sales tactics, HOA rules, and home costs collide.
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