“My solar panels were installed a few months ago, but now the company won’t answer my calls or emails. They promised maintenance, warranty coverage, and help with rebates — did I just get scammed?”
You’re not the only one asking this.
Across the U.S., homeowners are reporting “solar company disappeared” or “solar installer ghosted me” scenarios at alarming rates. Sometimes, the company shutters without notice. Other times, they quietly ignore customers whose systems are already paid for — especially if warranty or rebate work means more costs for them.
When a solar company vanishes after installation, you’re often left wondering: Do I have any rights? Or am I just out of luck?
This isn’t just frustrating — it can be financially damaging if you now face:
- Broken or underperforming panels
- Unclaimed rebates or tax incentives
- Financing terms you didn’t expect
- Roof or installation damage needing repair
So, Is This Normal or a Red Flag?
A week or two of slow communication may happen with busy installers — especially during high-demand months or equipment shortages.
But complete silence for weeks — especially after you formally request service, warranty help, or rebate paperwork — is almost always a red flag.
Why?
- Your contract likely includes service or warranty obligations. Ignoring you can be a breach of contract.
- Certain state licensing laws require ongoing service availability for a set period after installation.
- If financing or rebates were part of the deal, the company may have legal duties to file documents or certify the system as complete.
If they fail in these obligations, they may owe you — in repairs, reimbursement, or even damages.
Legitimate Explanations (It’s Not Always Fraud)
Not every case of “radio silence” from a solar company means you’ve been deliberately abandoned — though the risk is certainly high, and you should stay alert.
In some situations, there may be a reasonable explanation, even if the lack of communication is still frustrating and unprofessional. Knowing these possibilities can help you decide whether to wait a bit longer or start treating the situation as a potential breach of contract.
- Staff Turnover or Ownership Changes
It’s possible that:
- The salesperson, project manager, or installer you worked with has left the company.
- The business has gone through a change in ownership.
When this happens, your account may not have been reassigned properly — and your requests can easily get lost in the shuffle, especially in smaller companies without strong internal tracking.
Problem: Your service or warranty requests are effectively invisible to the company’s current team.
Fix:
- Try all available contact methods (main office number, online ticket portal).
- Send a written request by certified mail so you have proof of attempted contact.
- High Seasonal Demand or Supply Logjams
Surges in solar demand happen during:
- Hot summer months
- After announcements of new solar incentives
These surges can overwhelm smaller installers, who may prioritize new sales over less profitable post-installation service calls. Sometimes it’s worsened by supply chain delays — if repair parts or final inspection materials are on backorder, companies may wait to contact you until everything arrives.
Problem: Routine or urgent service requests get pushed to the bottom of the list.
Fix:
- Document your service requests with dates.
- Keep a log of all communication attempts — this can be crucial later if you need to prove the length of the delay in a legal dispute.
- Pending Payments or Financing Approvals
Some installers delay contact until:
- They receive payment from your lender or financing company.
- A state rebate program pays out.
While this is not a valid excuse to stop servicing customers, it happens.
Problem: Homeowners are stuck in limbo — system installed, but no follow-up, final inspections, or incentive filing.
Fix:
- Call your lender or rebate program administrator directly.
- Confirm whether payment has already been released.
- If it has, the delay is entirely on the installer’s side.
⚠ Important:
If it’s been over 30 days without any meaningful update, start treating the situation as a potential breach and not just a slow reply. Waiting too long can mean missed filing deadlines or expired warranty windows.
Red Flags That Your Installer Isn’t Coming Back
While some communication gaps have innocent causes, the following warning signs suggest your solar installer may have abandoned post-install service altogether. If you notice any of these, it’s important to act quickly:
- Dead phone lines or bouncing emails
- Calls go straight to a disconnected message; emails bounce back.
- Signals the company is closed or intentionally unreachable.
- Completely ignored warranty claims
- Written warranty requests go unanswered for weeks.
- This is often a deliberate attempt to avoid legally required service.
- Unfiled incentive or tax credit paperwork
- You were promised rebate application help, but nothing was submitted.
- This could cause you to lose thousands in state or federal benefits.
- Business suspended/dissolved in state registry
- Search your state’s business database — an “inactive” or “dissolved” status means they may no longer legally operate.
- Spike in BBB or online complaints
- Many customers reporting the same “company ghosted me” pattern.
- Check the Better Business Bureau and online review platforms.
- No local service presence
- The office is closed to the public, only available “by appointment,” or abandoned entirely.
💡 Pro Tip:
The sooner you detect these red flags, the better your chances of recovery. Quick action allows you to:
- File official complaints
- Demand service or reimbursement
- Initiate legal action before the installer drains company assets or vanishes completely.
Common Post-Installation Solar Scams — and How to Avoid Them
| Scam Name | The Pitch | The Reality | How to Protect Yourself |
| Warranty Vanish Scam | Panels installed, but warranty support “vanishes” right after payment. | Installer avoids costly service calls by disappearing. | Get all warranty terms in writing and confirm manufacturer warranty separately. |
| Rebate Paperwork Scam | Company says they’ll file your state/federal rebate forms. You never see the rebate. | They skip filing and pocket incentives, or never qualified to begin with. | File your own rebate forms or verify submission via state program portal. |
| Shady Subcontractor Switch | Work done by outside crew you didn’t approve; they’re gone before issues appear. | No accountability for poor workmanship or roof leaks. | Ask for proof of licensed, insured subcontractors before work begins. |
| Financing Fraud | Payments or rates rise after installation because of undisclosed terms. | Installer may have misrepresented financing agreements or switched documents. | Review loan contracts directly from lender, not just installer documents. |
Legal Rights and Protections
You’re not powerless when a solar installer ghosts you:
Contractual Rights
- Breach of Contract: Failure to honor warranty, maintenance, or incentive promises is actionable.
- Uniform Commercial Code (UCC): In many states, panels are considered “goods,” giving you implied warranty protections.
Licensing & Regulatory Protections
- Many states require licensed solar contractors to maintain valid service contact info and fulfill warranties.
- You can often file complaints through your state contractor licensing board.
Consumer Protection Laws
- State AG Offices: Enforce unfair/deceptive business practice laws.
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Target fraudulent or deceptive sales promises.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): Handles cases where financing fraud or unauthorized charges occurred.
💡 Example:
- In California, solar contractors must follow the Solar Consumer Protection Guide rules or face fines/license suspension.
- In Texas, the Deceptive Trade Practices Act can allow recovery of up to triple damages if fraud is proven.
- In New Jersey, the Consumer Fraud Act is one of the strongest — allowing attorney fees and treble damages.
Action Steps if Your Solar Company Disappeared
Here’s how to move from frustration to action:
- Document Everything: Keep call logs, emails, texts, letters — dates matter in breach claims.
- Check License Status: Search your state’s contractor license lookup. If suspended, note the date — it helps in legal filings.
- Send a Demand Letter: By certified mail, stating required repairs, deadlines, and breach consequences.
- Report to Oversight Bodies: BBB, FTC, CFPB, state AG, and licensing board.
- Contact Your Financing Company: If a lender’s involved, report non-performance.
- Consult a Solar Fraud Attorney: They can quickly determine if you have a breach of contract or fraud case, and file suit before statutes expire.
Don’t Let Silence Steal Your Rights
It feels like betrayal when the company that put panels on your roof goes silent. Promised service calls, warranty fixes, and rebate filings disappear into voicemail. That silence can cost you thousands, delay a sale, and leave you holding the bill for repairs the installer promised to cover.
You are not powerless. At Bennett Legal we see this pattern too often. We also know how quickly the window for relief can close. When an installer stops answering, assets move, files get buried, and critical deadlines pass. Acting fast is not optional. It is how you protect your home and your money.
Here is what we do for homeowners in your situation:
- We freeze the timeline. We document every request and contact so nothing can be dismissed as “they never tried.”
- We demand answers. We send precise legal notices that force responsible parties to respond or risk greater liability.
- We recover what is owed. Whether it is warranty enforcement, rebate recovery, lien removal, or damages for breached promises, we pursue every realistic path to make you whole.
- We move before mothballing. If the company is insolvent or dissolving, we file claims and preserve your rights in bankruptcy and state courts.
If your installer has gone dark, do not wait and hope they come back. Call Bennett Legal now. We will review your contract, map the fastest route to relief, and act immediately to protect your home, your equity, and your family’s financial future.
📞 Call Bennett Legal today for an urgent, no cost case evaluation. You did not create this problem. You should not have to carry it alone. We will fight to put the pieces back together.
