If you were misled, you have options

Being told your bill would disappear, that the system was free, that a tax credit would pay off the loan, or that you were only signing up for an inspection can all matter, even long after a cancellation window has closed.

  1. Your state's consumer protection law. Every state has a law against deceptive and unfair business practices. False promises about savings, costs, tax credits, or who you were dealing with may fall under Rhode Island's law.
  2. Missing paperwork and disclosures. Many states require specific disclosures and a written cancellation notice. If you never received them, a deadline may not have started, or the contract may have other problems.
  3. Your lender may share responsibility. When a seller arranges your financing, federal rules often let you raise the same claims against the lender that you have against the seller, up to the amount you paid. Check your loan for a notice about the FTC Holder Rule.
  4. Official complaints. Complaints to Rhode Island's agencies are free, create a record, and can lead to mediation or an investigation.
  5. Professional help. A solar attorney or solar exit company can review your documents and tell you which of these options fit your situation.

Not sure which option fits? Tell us what happened and we will help you see your options. It takes about two minutes.

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Your right to cancel

Rhode Island cancellation window

7 days after signing

Rhode Island's solar consumer law lets you cancel a residential solar purchase, lease, or power purchase agreement within seven days after you enter into it. The solar retailer must give you a written Notice of Right to Cancel or Rescind when you sign.

Source: R.I. Gen. Laws §5-93-11 · Checked November 1, 2026

Conditions that matter

  • Cancel by registered or certified mail, mailed no later than midnight seven days after you sign. The required notice form also says seven business days, but the statute itself says seven days, so mail within seven calendar days to be safe.
  • After you send notice by registered mail, return receipt requested, the retailer has five business days to refund all deposits, fees, and other payments and to cancel any related debt or security interest. A retailer that fails to do so can owe three times your damages plus attorney's fees.
  • You cannot waive or sign away this right.
  • Applies to systems for personal or household use on homes of up to four units. Does not cover systems that are incidental to buying or renting a home, or leases and power purchase agreements with terms under five years.

This law (the Residential Solar Energy Disclosure and Homeowner Bill of Rights Act, R.I. Gen. Laws chapter 5-93) took effect March 1, 2025. Solar retailers must register with the Department of Business Regulation, and registration had to be completed by August 1, 2025. If an agreement does not meet the law's requirements, the same refund duties apply.

Canceling one agreement does not always cancel another. A separate loan, lease, or power purchase agreement can have its own terms, so check each document you signed. If the sale was made in Spanish or another language, read your rights when a contract is not in your language. To compare deadlines, see the cancellation period in every state.

Where to get help in Rhode Island

These are official agencies. Filing a complaint is free. An agency can investigate or mediate, but most cannot act as your lawyer or guarantee a refund.

Solar retailer registration and complaints

Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, Solar Retailers Section

Registers solar retailers and can penalize violations, but cannot order a retailer to return money. Complaints about the installing contractor go to the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (crb.ri.gov) within one year of when work was completed.

Visit the official page 401-462-9500

Consumer protection

Rhode Island Attorney General, Consumer Complaints

Press 1 to file a complaint by phone. An investigator contacts you after assignment. The office cannot give legal advice or act as your private attorney.

Visit the official page 401-274-4400

Utility billing and service

Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers, Consumer Section

Contact your utility first, then file a complaint if you are not satisfied with its response.

Visit the official page 401-780-9700

Before you contact anyone

  1. Gather every document you signed. The sales or installation agreement, any loan, lease, or power purchase agreement, and any change orders.
  2. Identify each company. The seller, installer, lender, and current servicer may be different businesses. Your latest statement shows who services your account now.
  3. Write down the timeline. When you were contacted, when you signed, when work started, and every promise made about savings or cost.
  4. Keep proof of every notice. Save emails, certified mail receipts, and the date you sent anything.

Guides for your situation

Questions to ask

  • Which agreement am I trying to cancel or change, and who is the other party to it?
  • What does my agreement say about cancellation, notice, and where to send it?
  • Did the seller give me the cancellation notice and disclosures required in my state?
  • Is my loan separate from my installation contract, and what happens to it if the contract is canceled?
  • Was a dealer fee built into my loan? Estimate it with our calculator.

National resources

General information, not legal advice.

This page can’t tell you whether a right applies to your agreement. For that, contact a licensed attorney or the agencies above.

Other states

Solar rules change at the state line. See every state and the review status of each.