A homeowner thought they were signing routine solar paperwork. Instead, they may have signed their way into owning their panels a decade early.
Concerned, they took to Reddit looking for answers.
The homeowner explained that after buying a house with leased solar panels, they received an official "end of term/lease buyout" agreement.
The document offered two options: purchase the system for $0 or have it removed. The homeowner signed, the company countersigned, and the agreement stated that ownership would transfer within 30 days.
There was just one problem. According to the company, the paperwork was sent 10 years too early.
The original poster wrote that after receiving another monthly charge, they called the company and were told the document had been sent by mistake. The homeowner asked the Reddit community whether they could claim ownership anyway.
"Am I able to tell them I own the panels now because I have a signed document stating so?" they wrote. "That it's their fault their system sent the document early?"
The homeowner's legal mix-up might be unusual, but the real takeaway is what solar can do for your home: cut utility costs, protect against rising energy prices, and make a home more self-sufficient.
Whether you buy panels outright or use a subscription-style program, the benefits are real.
TCD's Solar Explorer can help you understand your options and connect with trusted partners if you're interested in either buying or leasing panels.
Get $1,000 cash to slash your bills with rooftop solar panels for $0 down and low monthly payments Whatever your solar budget, Palmetto can help you save. If you want to buy your own panels, Palmetto's 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 — including an exclusive $1,000 cashback offer for TCD readers. LightReach lets you lease solar panels with no money down, making it painless to lock in long-term savings of up to 33% off your current power bill. Palmetto covers a 25-year warranty for the panels, which means you'll get reliable performance without unforeseen costs. To get started, just book a short meeting with Palmetto's experts to explore your options and find the solution that's right for you. |
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Upfront costs 💰 The post drew lots of attention as commenters debated whether the signed contract was legit.
"If they sent you a signed document, it's probably more than just a clerical error," commented one user. "Clerical errors are things like misspelled names or other obvious errors. Definitely consult with a local attorney, but so far, it sounds like you may own it now."
"I suspect you will have the results vary by state since it is contract law and all that," wrote another. "Theoretically you could be getting it for free and make them pay legal fees."
Smart upgrades that slash monthly energy bills
But you don't have to wait for bungled paperwork to reduce the cost of owning solar panels and save money on energy bills.
• EnergySage can help you save up to $10,000 on installations by curating competitive bids from local installers
• Not ready to spend up front? Palmetto's $0-down LightReach solar leasing program can lower your utility rate by up to 20%
• TCD's Solar Explorer makes it easy to access exclusive offers from preferred partner
Solar becomes even more powerful when paired with efficient electric appliances, such as heat pumps, which can further drive down energy use and costs.
TCD's HVAC Explorer makes it easy to find the right system for your home and budget.
Meanwhile, the free Palmetto Home app can help you unlock up to $5,000 in rewards for these upgrades through quizzes and taking simple, everyday actions.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices — and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club.
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