When you buy a new house, you expect to inherit the charm, not the previous owner's unpaid solar lease.
The scoop
Unfortunately, one Reddit user says that's exactly what happened after purchasing a home with a rooftop solar system still tied to the last homeowner's account. The ordeal has left them wondering who's responsible for the "deadweight" system on their roof.
In a post on r/solar, the homeowner explained that their home's solar panels, originally leased through SunRun, were in collections because the prior owner stopped paying. Since the system can't be transferred while in default, the new homeowner can't use the panels or get rid of them.
"I bought a home and assumed the solar lease from the previous owner," the user wrote. "Turns out the system has been in collections for over two years. I don't owe any money to SunRun, but I can't use it until they get paid by the previous owner. What can I do here?"
It's an increasingly common problem as more homes change hands with existing solar leases, and it shows how complex these agreements can be when ownership changes.
How it's helping
Solar power is one of the most effective ways to reduce home energy costs and cut planet-overheating pollution. But for many homeowners, the upfront costs of installing panels can be daunting, which is why solar leasing programs have gained traction.
With a solar lease, homeowners can access renewable energy without a massive down payment. Companies like Palmetto make this possible through their LightReach solar leasing program, which offers flexible plans, including options with no money down.
Leasing helps more people go solar, even those who might not qualify for traditional purchase or loan programs.
Save $10,000 on solar panels — or get them on your roof without paying for purchase or installation Whatever your solar budget, Palmetto can help you save. If you want to buy your own panels, Palmetto's concierge advisors can help you save up to $10,000 on installation through a network of preferred installers. And if you'd rather get solar savings without upfront costs, Palmetto's revolutionary LightReach subscription program can deliver. LightReach lets you lease solar panels with no money down, making it painless to lock in long-term savings. Palmetto covers a 25-year warranty for the panels, which means you'll get reliable performance without unforeseen costs. To get started, just answer a few basic questions about your home and connect with Palmetto's experts to find the option that's right for you. |
Still, as this Reddit thread shows, buyers should do their homework before closing on a home with leased panels. It's important to confirm that all accounts are current and properly transferred to avoid inheriting someone else's solar debt.
For those interested in the benefits of solar without the pitfalls of old contracts, Palmetto's LightReach program is a great place to start. The program helps homeowners access clean energy affordably while Palmetto manages installation, maintenance, and performance monitoring.
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The cost 💰 If you're not sure leasing is the best fit, you can explore buying panels instead through EnergySage, which offers free tools to compare quotes and estimate installation costs, or learn more about the pros and cons of both approaches with Palmetto's lease-or-buy guide.
What everyone's saying
In the Reddit thread, commenters were quick to empathize.
"Seems to me SunRun should have made you aware," one user wrote.
Another added: "Call your realtor — that's what they get paid to handle."
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