A New Jersey resident began looking for answers after solar costs soared to nearly $600 per month after their provider went out of business.
Here's what to know
Solar is supposed to cut energy costs, but this solar system had a Reddit user's father paying a $180 monthly loan plus another $400-plus on electric bills each month.
"How do we cancel/discharge the loan without removing panels?" the poster asked in r/solar.
One commenter thought it would be best to press on, writing, "I think getting the panels on your roof producing is going to get you payment relief faster than stopping payment on the loan."
But a solar representative believed there was "more to this story." They asked whether the system was working, whether the dad knew about an expired tax credit that initially kept his monthly payment at $124, and how much of the electric bill the solar was intended to cover.
"I truly hope he didn't get taken advantage of," they concluded. "Solar is a great thing, when done right." In fact, $0-down solar leases can deliver savings of hundreds of dollars per month, depending on the household and the agreement. EasyHome's free explorer tool helps homeowners estimate potential savings and find vetted local installers.
What can be done?
The equipment loan debt would not disappear simply because the installer shuttered operations, a third commenter warned, because the loan is under a separate contract.
They recommended invoking the FTC Holder Rule and filing a complaint with the state's Division of Consumer Affairs and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. To do this, they said the OP's dad should collect the sales promises in writing, including texts and emails.
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"Separately, check the system is actually producing (inverter app or display), because a $400 utility bill alongside panels can also mean something's offline," they continued.
A professional inspection could help with that, another said.
For people comparing options, EasyHome also helps with battery-storage solutions. Pairing panels with batteries can help manage electricity costs and provide backup power during outages — considerations to evaluate alongside financing terms and expected production.
Where can I learn more?
Other homeowners have also found that their electricity bills didn't match the solar savings they expected.
• A New Jersey homeowner received a $386 electric bill despite having 28 solar panels.
• A Texas homeowner said a solar lease pitched as bill-free left him paying $620 monthly.
• A New Jersey homeowner facing nearly $600 bills learned an east-west roof could work for solar.
• A homeowner who inherited a solar lease faced a $600 bill as solar production faltered.
• A Virginia homeowner said his $129,000 solar installation still left him with $400 power bills.
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