A homeowner going through papers and a binder of records

Where to file

  • Your state attorney general. The main agency for deceptive sales practices. Find yours, with the complaint link and phone number, on your state’s page in our state solar laws hub.
  • The CFPB. For problems with a solar lender or loan servicer. Companies are asked to respond, usually within 15 days.
  • The FTC. Reports go into a database used by law enforcement. The FTC does not resolve individual complaints.
  • Your state contractor or licensing board. For installation, workmanship, and licensing problems.
  • Your state utility commission. For billing, net metering, and interconnection problems with a regulated utility.

What to include

  1. The company names: the seller, the installer, and the lender or system owner, with account numbers.
  2. A short timeline: when you were contacted, when you signed, when the system was installed, and when problems began.
  3. What you were told, and what turned out to be different.
  4. What you have already done to resolve it, with dates.
  5. What you want: cancellation, a refund, a repair, a corrected bill, or a release.
  6. Copies of key documents. Never send your full Social Security number or bank account numbers.

Were you misled about your solar?

Tell us what happened. It takes about two minutes, and you decide what happens next.

See my options

What to expect

Most agencies forward your complaint to the company and ask for a response. They cannot act as your lawyer, and they rarely order refunds in individual cases. Patterns of complaints, though, are how investigations start. Several state attorneys general have taken action against solar companies and lenders after hearing from homeowners.

If a complaint is not enough

When the amount at stake is large, the company has disappeared, or your property record is affected, a complaint may not be enough on its own. See working with a solar lawyer, or tell us what happened.

Common questions

Should I file with more than one agency?

Yes, when the problem involves more than one company. A sales problem goes to the attorney general, and a loan problem goes to the CFPB too.

Will filing a complaint hurt my case later?

Generally no, but keep it factual. Write what happened, not what you think the law is.

What about online reviews?

Honest reviews are fine, but they are not official complaints and do not create a record with regulators.

Sources

  1. CFPB: Submit a complaint. Complaints about lenders and servicers
  2. FTC: ReportFraud. Reports shared with law enforcement
  3. USAGov: State consumer protection offices. Directory of state consumer agencies

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.