Breaking a solar lease

[J.P.M.]

Of course there is, up there in Post #48.

Well, #48 may be written but I'd not call that evidence as much as an example of how misinformation gets started.

[ButchDeal]

....I would simply come to terms with the new 'buyer', and let them know that since they don't 'want' the solar panel system that it will be removed before the closing date.

there are many buyers that would not want the PV system. Worse though the OP will still be on the hook for the lease but also the cost to remove the system.

[NCmountainsOffgrid]

....I would simply come to terms with the new 'buyer', and let them know that since they don't 'want' the solar panel system that it will be removed before the closing date.
I'll bet you might then get a different response from them - suddenly the solar might start to look like a good addition to the home, potentially saving them monthly utility costs, and since it's 'already installed', why not use it?
Yep. Like buying a home where there is a hot tub you didn't really have on your 'needs' list, it might not change the purchase price much, but it'll shore start to look good once you've moved in.

[sdold]

Well, we may have the time increment bracketed. I believe the commonly assigned time unit for that phrase at this period in history anyway, is the minute.

However, while P.T. Barnum said and wrote many things, I come to find out, and contrary to popular opinion and whatever the time period chosen, there is no written evidence that quote can be attributed to P.,T. Barnum.

Of course there is, up there in Post #48.

[J.P.M.]

I'm pretty sure it was "There's a sucker born every hour"

Well, we may have the time increment bracketed. I believe the commonly assigned time unit for that phrase at this period in history anyway, is the minute.

However, while P.T. Barnum said and wrote many things, I come to find out, and contrary to popular opinion and whatever the time period chosen, there is no written evidence that quote can be attributed to P.,T. Barnum.

[azdave]

I've been ranting about what a self screwing most (but maybe not all) homeowners who sign these POS leases are giving themselves...

So true! Kinda of like leasing a car. No matter how bad the long-term math works out, people still do it and then they wonder later where all their money went. My friends are tired of hearing me try to coach them about making smarter financial decisions (no leasing). I'm tired of hearing them whine about how broke they are when they stop by to show off the new tires and rims on their leased BWM all the while playing with an iPhone 10x (also leased).

[sdold]

"A sucker is born every day" PT barnum

I'm pretty sure it was "There's a sucker born every hour"

[Paul Land]

P.T. said many things, some of them expressing a similar sentiment about the general ignorance and stupidity of the American public to what I wrote, but I couldn't find a quote from him that included any reference to solar leases, So, I don't believe P.T. Barnum said what I wrote.

"A sucker is born every day" PT barnum

[J.P.M.]

I think P.T. Barnum said that.

P.T. said many things, some of them expressing a similar sentiment about the general ignorance and stupidity of the American public to what I wrote, but I couldn't find a quote from him that included any reference to solar leases, So, I don't believe P.T. Barnum said what I wrote.

[Paul Land]

I've been ranting about what a self screwing most (but maybe not all) homeowners who sign these POS leases are giving themselves by virtue of their shortsighted and lazy ignorance for longer than I've been here.

Anyway, they're going to screw themselves regardless of whether you or someone else helps them do it, so why not you make a buck off the situation rather than someone else, right ?

I think P.T. Barnum said that.

[J.P.M.]

Yes I was peddler 1st then Installer. But these roof leases are still being drawn up. According to Realtor Assc, The average homeowner sell there home in 5+- years. I saw an opportunity to let new buyers beware. Avg pv roof lease is locked in for 20 years. Only a willing buyer/sell can transfer roof lease to new buyer. 5 yrs old but still pertinent today.

I've been ranting about what a self screwing most (but maybe not all) homeowners who sign these POS leases are giving themselves by virtue of their shortsighted and lazy ignorance for longer than I've been here.

Anyway, they're going to screw themselves regardless of whether you or someone else helps them do it, so why not you make a buck off the situation rather than someone else, right ?

[Paul Land]

Paul: Responding to a post that's almost 5 yrs. old ? But thanks for confirming you're a solar lease peddler.

Yes I was peddler 1st then Installer. But these roof leases are still being drawn up. According to Realtor Assc, The average homeowner sell there home in 5+- years. I saw an opportunity to let new buyers beware. Avg pv roof lease is locked in for 20 years. Only a willing buyer/sell can transfer roof lease to new buyer. 5 yrs old but still pertinent today.

[J.P.M.]

Buddy you are D.O.A. I wrote Dozens of these you must get buyer that will take on home and PV system. once you do company X will change names on contract. Why would sign something when you were not going to stay 20 years? I know why its called Cool Factor, well is it still COOL!!!

Paul: Responding to a post that's almost 5 yrs. old ? But thanks for confirming you're a solar lease peddler.

[Paul Land]

I have a potential situation with my solar system and would welcome any insights members of the forum can provide.

We installed solar with Sunrun (put in by local installer) 3.5 years ago. We have an 18 year lease. So far, so good--I have not been thrilled with the true up bill from Edison every year, but I have been able to stabilize our electricity payments over the years which has been very helpful. I think we are saving a bit of money--nothing earth shattering but savings nonetheless.

We are now going to move and the previous owner of the home is very serious about buying the house. However, he thinks we were ripped off on our lease deal and isn't interested in assuming the lease or purchasing the system outright.

I have not yet talked to Sunrun, and hope that they will negotiate the terms of the lease or purchase price to make it palatable to our buyer, but in the event that they aren't willing to negotiate what exactly might happen if we break our lease and ask them to uninstall the system? Has anyone successfully negotiated with Sunrun on this type of issue?

I am just pondering the worse case scenario--our new home has solar already so moving the system is not an option. We do have the benefit of time, as we won't be leaving the home until July.

Thanks in advance.

Buddy you are D.O.A. I wrote Dozens of these you must get buyer that will take on home and PV system. once you do company X will change names on contract. Why would sign something when you were not going to stay 20 years? I know why its called Cool Factor, well is it still COOL!!!

[colorado.doug]

Would an approved building permit defeat that argument? Even if it didn't, all the installer would have to due to cure that default is get engineering docs. That would probably be cheaper than hiring a lawyer. BTW this is an old thread from 2017. I didn't read the entire thread to see if the issue was resolved.

Not necessarily. In some jurisdictions, permit offices outsourced the permitting to installers. My old company use to have a single structural engineer auto-signing them at best or worst yet we didn't always do it at all when we had too much work coming in. I'm sure some of the repairs could easily be addressed, but no solar company wants to go into litigation and have it get out that dozens if not hundreds of homes with solar PPAs never got a proper structural review... it would become a nightmare for any company.