Solar Contract and Loan Papers: What to Check in Texas
A plain-English guide to reading the papers behind a solar sale: what each one shows, what to compare, and what to ask.
Texas solar sales and financing
Read the papers. Compare them to what you were told.
Know who the seller, lender and owner are. Check each term as written. Ask in writing.
- 12-point checklist
- Loan, lease or PPA
- Questions to ask in writing
Read every page you signed, compare it with what you were told, and write down who each paper says the seller, installer, lender and system owner are. Whether a term is enforceable, and what your options are, depends on the exact wording of your documents and on the facts. Ask for any missing papers in writing, and talk to a lawyer before you sign something new or change your payments.
A solar sale usually leaves you with a stack of papers: a sales contract, a loan or lease, change orders and warranty sheets. When something goes wrong, the answer is often in those papers, or in the gap between those papers and what you remember being told. This page is a reading guide. It is not a legal opinion about any company or any loan, and it does not tell you what your documents mean. Earlier in my career, reading contracts, scopes of work and estimates line by line was part of the work, and the checklist below follows the same habit.
- Get complete copies of everything, including every page of the loan and any e-signature record.
- Find the legal names of the seller, installer, lender, servicer and system owner. They may not be the same company.
- Compare each promise you remember (price, savings, timing, equipment, output) with the paper, and note where it appears or that it does not.
- Read the cancellation, dispute, fee and lien language as written, not from memory or a summary.
- Before you sign a completion certificate, change order, release or new loan paper, read it and ask what it changes.
- Talk to a lawyer before you stop or change payments.
The papers in your stack
Most solar sales produce some or all of these. Ask for any you do not have.
- Sales contractPrice, scope, equipment, schedule
- Loan, lease or power purchase agreementWho you pay, how much, how long
- Change orders and revised designsWhat changed after you signed
- Disclosure and e-sign recordsWhat you were shown, and when you signed
- Completion or acceptance papersWhat you accepted as finished
- Warranties and manualsWhat is covered, and by whom
- Permit and utility papersCity or county approval, utility permission
- Statements and noticesLoan statements, transfer and payoff letters
12 things to look for in your solar contract and loan papers
Each card shows what the topic covers, what to look for on the page, and a question you can put in writing. These are things to check, not conclusions about any document.
Price and financing terms vs. verbal promises
Shows The total price, the amount financed, the payment amount and schedule, and any promotional or introductory payment terms.
Look Does the price on the contract match the price on the loan? Do the monthly payment, the number of payments and the interest rate on the loan match what you remember being told? Is anything described as a “credit,” “rebate” or “incentive,” and who is named as responsible for it?
Ask Where on the papers does it say what I was told about price, savings and monthly payments?
Who the lender and the seller are
Shows The legal names of the seller, the installer, the lender, the company that collects payments, and the system owner. They may not be the same company.
Look Compare the names on the contract, the loan, your statements, the permit and the warranty. Look for a name change, an assignment or a transfer notice.
Ask Please identify, in writing, the seller, installer, lender, servicer and owner on my account, with addresses.
Cancellation terms as written in the papers
Shows Whether the papers describe a cancellation period, when it starts, and how and to whom notice is to be given.
Look Check every document, not just the contract. Note dates of signing, delivery of copies and any start of work, because each document may say something different.
Ask Which paper governs cancellation, and where is the notice form?
Dealer fees and loan fees
Shows Any fees built into the price, deducted from the loan, or charged separately, sometimes called dealer fees, origination fees or processing fees.
Look Compare the cash price with the financed price. Look for fees that appear on the loan but not on the contract, or the other way around.
Ask Please give me an itemized list of every fee on my loan and who receives it.
System size and output promises
Shows The number of panels, system size, equipment makes and models, and any production estimate or savings projection.
Look Is an output or savings number written into the contract, or only in a proposal, a brochure or a conversation? What does the paper say it is, an estimate or a promise?
Ask Which document states the expected output, and what assumptions does it list?
Warranty
Shows What is covered (panels, inverter, battery, workmanship, roof penetrations), for how long, and who stands behind each part.
Look Look for who makes the warranty promise: the manufacturer, the installer or a third party. Note what the papers say about transfer, claims, maintenance and exclusions.
Ask Who do I call for each warranty claim, and what paperwork do you need from me?
Installer licensing and registration to check
Shows License or registration numbers printed on the contract, proposal, permits or business card, and the company name that goes with each.
Look Confirm each number with the agency that issued it, and check that the permit was pulled in the name of the company that signed your contract.
Ask Which license or registration numbers apply to the electrical and roofing work on my home?
Arbitration, jury-waiver and venue clauses
Shows Whether disputes are to go to arbitration or to a court, and any rules about where, how or how soon a claim must be brought.
Look Search each document for “arbitration,” “waiver,” “venue,” “governing law” and “limitation.” The loan and the sales contract may differ.
Ask Do both documents contain a dispute clause, and do they say the same thing?
UCC, lien and fixture-filing language
Shows Whether the lender or seller claims a security interest in the equipment or the home, and whether a public filing is mentioned.
Look Look for “security interest,” “collateral,” “UCC,” “fixture,” “deed of trust” or “lien.” A title company or a lawyer can search the public records for filings tied to your address.
Ask Has any filing been made against my property or the equipment, and where is it recorded?
Power purchase, lease or ownership
Shows Whether you are buying the system, leasing it, or buying the power it makes, and who owns the equipment during and after the term.
Look Look for the words “lease,” “power purchase,” “rate per kilowatt-hour,” “escalator,” “buyout” and “transfer.” Terms for selling or refinancing the home may be written in.
Ask Do I own the system now, and what do the papers say would happen if I sold the house?
Change orders and revised designs
Shows Anything that changed after the first signature: panel count, equipment, price, schedule or financing.
Look Each change should have its own paper. Check whether the loan was updated to match, and whether you signed or tapped to approve each version.
Ask Please send every version of my design, contract and loan, with dates and signatures.
Completion papers and signing records
Shows What you signed to say the work was finished, and the record of when and how each document was signed, including by phone or tablet.
Look Read any completion or acceptance certificate before signing. Request the e-signature record and your own copy of every page you signed.
Ask Does this certificate say the system is working, or only that work is done, and what does it release?
Match what you were told to what you signed
Many questions come down to a simple comparison. Print this table or copy it onto paper, and fill it in with your own records. The goal is a clear list of matches, gaps and questions to bring to a lawyer.
| Topic | What I was told (who, when) | What the paper says (document, page) | Match? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total price | |||
| Monthly payment | |||
| Savings or output | |||
| Equipment and panel count | |||
| Warranty | |||
| Start and finish dates | |||
| Who the lender is | |||
| Anything about cancelling |
Questions to ask before you sign, and after something goes wrong
Put your questions in an email or letter so you have a dated record of the question and the answer.
Before you sign
- Can I have the full contract, the loan papers and every attachment to read at home before I sign?
- Who is the lender, who is the seller, and who is the installer? Are they the same company?
- What is the cash price, what is the financed price, and what fees are included in each?
- Which numbers in the proposal (savings, production, payment) are written into the contract?
- Is this a loan, a lease or a power purchase agreement, and who owns the system?
- What do the papers say about cancelling, and where is the form?
- Which licenses and registrations does the installer hold, and who will be on my roof?
- What happens to the papers if the company is sold, renamed or closes?
After something goes wrong
- What exactly did I sign, and did I get a complete copy of every page?
- Does the loan amount match the contract price and any change orders?
- Who is now sending my statements, and did anyone notify me of a transfer?
- Which promises that I remember are written down, and which are not?
- Have permits, inspections and the utility’s permission to operate been completed in writing?
- What does my warranty say, and who do I call?
- Has anyone filed or mentioned a lien, UCC or fixture filing tied to my address?
- Before I sign a completion certificate, release or new paper, what will it change?
If the sale or installation went wrong: a simple path
Order matters less than keeping records.
Pause and protect
Hold off on signing new papers, completion certificates or releases until you have read them. If anything about the equipment looks unsafe, stay off the roof and away from the equipment, and call 911 for an emergency.
Gather everything
Collect the contract, loan, change orders, statements, permits, warranty papers, photos and messages. See my document checklist.
Build a timeline
List dates in order: first contact, signing, install, inspection, first bill, first problem. Note who said what.
Compare
Set what you were told beside what you signed, line by line. Note gaps rather than guessing what they mean.
Ask in writing
Ask the seller, installer, lender and servicer for answers and missing papers by email or letter. Keep copies and dates.
Check notice terms, then call
Your own papers may say how and when a problem must be reported. Talk to a lawyer before you stop or change payments or sign a release.
Loan, lease or power purchase agreement: the documents compared
The three structures produce different papers. This is a general guide to what to look for; your own papers control.
| Topic | Loan | Lease | Power purchase agreement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who you pay | A lender, usually in monthly payments on a loan, sometimes through a servicer. | The leasing company, in monthly payments. | The company that owns the system, per unit of power or a set amount. |
| Who owns the equipment | Papers usually describe you as the owner, though a lender may claim a security interest. | The leasing company, unless the papers give you a buyout. | The company that owns the system, unless the papers give you a buyout. |
| Key terms to read | Interest rate, fees, total of payments, security interest, payoff terms. | Monthly amount, increases, term, end-of-term options, transfer terms. | Rate per unit, annual increase, term, production assumptions, transfer terms. |
| Filings to look for | UCC or fixture filings, deed of trust language. | UCC or fixture filings, notices on the property records. | UCC or fixture filings, notices on the property records. |
| If you sell the home | Payoff terms, and whether a lien must be released. | Transfer or buyout terms. | Transfer or buyout terms. |
| Papers to keep | Contract, loan agreement, note, statements, payoff letters. | Lease, schedule, notices, statements. | Agreement, rate schedule, notices, statements. |
Talk to me about your papers
If the papers and what you were told do not match, if you are being asked to sign something new, or if a company has stopped answering, I can look at the documents with you. Bring the sales contract, the loan or lease papers, any change orders and the messages you saved. My consultation is always free. I cannot promise any result, and every situation depends on its own documents and facts.
Solar contract and loan paper FAQ
What papers should I have after signing for solar?
Start with the sales contract, any loan, lease or power purchase agreement, every change order or revised design, any completion or acceptance certificate, warranty papers, permit and utility approval papers, and the e-signature record if you signed electronically. Ask the seller and the lender in writing for anything that is missing. My document checklist lists the records to gather and includes a simple timeline log.
What if what I was told does not match what I signed?
Write down what you were told, who said it and when, then find where, if anywhere, your papers say the same thing. Keep texts, emails, proposals and screenshots. A difference between conversation and paper may matter, but how much depends on the exact wording of your documents and on the facts, so ask a lawyer to review the papers before you sign anything new or change your payments.
How do I find out who my lender is and who owns the system?
Look at the loan or lease papers, your monthly statements, and any letter about a transfer of servicing. The seller, the installer, the lender, the company that collects your payments and the owner of the system can be different companies, and the names on your papers control. If the papers do not make it clear, ask each company in writing to identify itself and its role.
Where do I find the cancellation terms?
Check each document you signed, including the sales contract and the loan, for a cancellation notice, a section about canceling, or a cancellation form. Note the date it says the period starts, how it says notice must be given, and to whom. Different documents may have different terms, and written deadlines can be short, so check your papers promptly instead of relying on memory. I can look at them with you in a free consultation.
What is a UCC or fixture filing in solar paperwork?
Some financing papers say the lender may take a security interest in the equipment and may file a public record, often called a UCC financing statement or fixture filing, to show it. Look for words such as security interest, collateral, UCC or fixture in your loan or lease. A title company or a lawyer can search public records for filings tied to you or your address. What a filing means for your home depends on its type and on the documents behind it.
What does an arbitration clause in my solar papers mean?
An arbitration clause says certain disputes are to be decided by an arbitrator instead of a court. Look for the words arbitration, jury waiver and class action waiver, and for any clause about fees, location or time limits, and note which document contains each one. Whether and how a clause applies to your situation is a legal question that depends on the exact wording and the facts.
How can I check my installer's licensing or registration?
Start with the license or registration numbers shown on your contract, proposal or permits. Ask which licenses the company and the people doing the electrical and roofing work say they hold, then confirm each one with the agency that issues it and check the permit records at your city or county. The names on the paperwork should match the company that signed your contract.
Should I stop paying my solar loan if the work is wrong?
I cannot answer that without reading your papers. Stopping or changing payments can have consequences under your loan terms and may affect your credit, so talk to a lawyer first. In the meantime, keep a written record of what is wrong, ask for answers in writing, and keep every statement.
Do I need a lawyer to review my solar papers?
Not for every question. A lawyer can help when the papers and what you were told do not match, when you are being asked to sign something new, when payments or filings concern you, or when a company stops answering. My consultation is always free, and no result can be promised.
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Before I practiced law, I spent years on the property side of insurance claims. I was previously licensed and worked as a public adjuster, roofing contractor, home inspector and contractor, and I inspected and estimated large residential and commercial properties with many buildings. I also served as an appraiser, an umpire and a retained witness in first-party insurance disputes. I never worked for an insurance company.
Today I'm an attorney licensed in Texas and Alabama. I'm also a Florida mediator, but I don't practice Florida law. Every case is different, and no result can be promised.
Disclaimer. General information, not legal advice. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Responsible attorney: Michael P. Bowman, Austin, Texas. Nothing on this page is an opinion about any company, contract or loan, or a promise of any result. Michael P. Bowman is licensed to practice law in Texas and Alabama only, and this page does not address the law of any other state. The firm’s office is in Austin, Texas; the firm does not have a bona fide office in Alabama. Law Office of Michael P. Bowman PLLC, 7903 Entrada Cove, Austin, TX 78730. Questions? Call (512) 352-9937 or visit www.claimattorney.com.
