A homeowner looking over solar paperwork in his kitchen

Who this guide applies to

This guide is for homeowners who signed a solar contract with Semper Solaris, a San Diego-based installer. If you financed the system, your loan or lease is usually with a separate finance company, which bills you directly. Check your paperwork for the lender’s name.

We have not found a bankruptcy filing or government enforcement action involving Semper Solaris. If you’re outside California, the steps are the same, but check your own state’s rules on our state solar laws page.

Your right to cancel in California

California gives you three business days to cancel a home improvement contract, including a solar contract, after you receive a signed and dated copy. If you are 65 or older, you get five business days.

  • Send the cancellation by email, mail, fax, or hand delivery, following the notice in your contract.
  • If you are canceling a financed system, send a copy to the lender or leasing company too.
  • Keep proof of the date you sent it.

Our cancellation letter builder fills in the California law for you. See all of California’s rules on our California solar laws page.

Were you misled about your solar?

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Check your paperwork

California requires specific paperwork for solar sales. Look for these:

  • The CSLB Solar Energy System Disclosure Document as the first page of the contract.
  • The contractor’s license number, which you can check on the CSLB website.
  • A down payment of no more than $1,000 or 10 percent of the price, whichever is less.
  • A savings estimate based on the Net Billing Tariff if your system applied to connect on or after April 15, 2023.

Anything missing is worth raising in a complaint to the Contractors State License Board.

After installation

  • Solar loan: you own the system and can usually pay the loan off early. Ask the lender for a payoff letter and use our payoff calculator.
  • Lease or PPA: ask the leasing company about a buyout, prepayment, or transfer when you sell.
  • Roofing work: if Semper Solaris also replaced or repaired your roof, keep that warranty paperwork separate. Roof and workmanship problems go to Semper Solaris first, and to the CSLB if they aren’t fixed.

If you were misled

If you were promised a bill near zero, a tax credit you didn’t qualify for, or a price lower than your loan shows, write down what you were told and gather your documents. File with Semper Solaris in writing first. Then file with the CSLB for sales and installation problems, and the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation for loan problems. Read misled by a solar salesperson or tell us what happened.

Common questions

How long do I have to cancel a Semper Solaris contract?

In California, three business days after you receive a signed, dated copy of the contract, or five business days if you are 65 or older.

Who do I pay if I financed with Semper Solaris?

The lender or leasing company named in your agreement, which bills you directly.

Where do I complain about a California solar installer?

The Contractors State License Board handles installer and salesperson complaints. The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation handles many solar lender problems.

Sources

  1. California Bus. & Prof. Code §7159. Home improvement contract and right to cancel
  2. CSLB: Solar Energy System Disclosure. Required disclosure document
  3. CPUC: Net Energy Metering and Net Billing. Net Billing Tariff since April 15, 2023
  4. CSLB: File a complaint. Installer and salesperson complaints

General information, not legal advice.

This guide can’t tell you whether a right applies to your agreement. For that, talk with a licensed attorney in your state.