California homeowners
How to get out of a solar contract in California
What California law and regulators offer homeowners with a regretted solar lease, PPA or loan, and where to complain. SGI can help review your contract and options.
Not a law firm. We'll tell you when you need one. Results vary.
As of November 10, 2026. General information, not legal advice. SGI is not a law firm and does not guarantee any result. For advice about your contract, talk to a licensed California attorney.
The short answer
- Check the disclosure page first. California requires a solar energy system disclosure document, printed in boldface 16-point type, before a solar sale, financing or lease is completed. It must cover total cost and payments, how to complain, and your cancellation period. CSLB publishes versions for contracts with a 3-day and a 5-day right to cancel [1].
- Former Vivint Solar PPA customers (2016–2020): a February 2026 judgment won by five county district attorneys created a $3 million restitution fund [2].
- Contractor complaints go to the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) through its solar complaint form [3].
If you're trying to get out of a solar lease in California, start with the cancellation period on your CSLB disclosure document. For Sunrun complaints in California, see the Sunrun guide and the Sunrun hub. If your solar company went out of business in California, the SunPower and Sunnova sections below are the usual next step.
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California consumer protection and solar disclosure laws
Solar Energy System Disclosure Document (Business and Professions Code § 7169)
- What it is: CSLB, working with the Public Utilities Commission, developed a disclosure document that a solar energy system company must give you "prior to completion of a sale, financing, or lease" [1].
- What it must include [1]:
- total cost and payments, including financing costs
- how and to whom to complain
- your cancellation period under Business and Professions Code § 7159
- Language: the contract and disclosure must be in the same language principally used in the sales presentation [1].
Find this page in your contract. Compare it with what you were told, and check which cancellation period it lists.
We cite only the disclosure and cancellation rules shown on CSLB's page. We didn't separately verify the Civil Code home-solicitation sections, so we don't quote them.
California enforcement actions
Vivint Solar: district attorneys' judgment (February 19, 2026)
- Who sued: the district attorneys of San Francisco, Riverside, San Diego, Alameda and Fresno counties settled a consumer protection action against Vivint Solar in Riverside County Superior Court [2].
- The allegations: they alleged Vivint Solar misrepresented its relationship with the local utility, energy or cost savings, and consumers' ability to cancel [2].
- The judgment: "Without admitting liability," Vivint Solar agreed to pay $1.3 million in civil penalties and costs. It also agreed to set aside a $3,000,000 restitution fund for valid claims from California consumers about systems sold, or PPA terms, between August 3, 2016 and October 8, 2020 [2].
- How to claim: notice of claim deadlines and how to file will be posted on Vivint Solar's and Sunrun's consumer websites. Sunrun is not a party to the action [2].
Sunrun customers can see our Sunrun guide and the Sunrun hub. Connecticut's 2026 Sunrun settlement is covered on Connecticut and applies only there.
How to search UCC filings in California
- Statewide (Secretary of State): the California Secretary of State is "the central filing office" for certain UCC financing statements. Its UCC Connect service handles online inquiries, filings, copies and debtor search certificates [4].
- County Recorder: under Commercial Code § 9501, a fixture filing goes in the office where a mortgage on the property would be recorded. All other financing statements go to the Secretary of State [5]. Search your county recorder's records by your name and address.
For payoff and termination, see Selling a house with a solar lien.
Bankrupt installers and servicers California owners deal with
- SunPower Corporation filed Chapter 11 on August 5, 2024 in the District of Delaware (Case No. 24-11649). Today's "SunPower" brand belongs to a different company that didn't take on pre-sale leases, PPAs or systems [6]. See SunPower and SunStrong.
- Sunnova filed Chapter 11 in June 2025, and its plan took effect November 14, 2025 [7]. See Sunnova.
Where to file a complaint in California
- CSLB (contractors and solar companies): use the CSLB Solar Complaint Form. Online complaints "are not complete until CSLB receives your signed form and any relevant supporting documentation" [3]. CSLB is a licensing board; a complaint doesn't guarantee restitution.
- California Attorney General: submit a consumer complaint against a business online, or by mail with the downloadable form [8].
- Loans and debt collection: the CFPB [9].
How Unstuck Solar can help
SGI can help review your contract and your options. Not a law firm. We'll tell you when you need one. Results vary.
FAQ
What disclosure should my California solar contract include? A solar energy system disclosure document in boldface 16-point type. It must cover total cost and payments including financing, how to complain, and your cancellation period. It's due before the sale, financing or lease is completed.
How long do I have to cancel a California solar contract? It depends on your contract. CSLB publishes disclosure versions for contracts with a 3-day and a 5-day right to cancel. Check the cancellation period on your disclosure document.
I had a Vivint Solar PPA. Can I get restitution? Possibly, if your agreement falls between August 3, 2016 and October 8, 2020. A 2026 judgment set aside a $3 million restitution fund, and claim instructions will be posted on Vivint Solar's and Sunrun's consumer websites.
Where do I complain about a California solar company? Use CSLB's solar complaint form for contractor issues, or the California Attorney General's consumer complaint form. Loan problems can go to the CFPB.
How do I search for a solar UCC filing in California? Use the Secretary of State's UCC Connect for statewide filings. Check your county recorder for fixture filings.
Not legal advice. SGI is not a law firm, and no attorney-client relationship is created. Results are not guaranteed. Statuses are as of November 10, 2026. Consult a licensed California attorney.
Sources
- Contractors State License Board, Solar Energy System Disclosure (B&P Code § 7169): https://cslb.ca.gov/Consumers/Solar_Requirements.aspx
- San Francisco District Attorney, "District Attorney Brooke Jenkins Announces Settlement with Vivint Solar" (Feb. 19, 2026): https://sfdistrictattorney.org/district-attorney-brooke-jenkins-announces-settlement-with-vivint-solar/
- CSLB, Solar Complaint Form: https://cslb.ca.gov/OnlineServices/SolarComplaint/SolarComplaintFormProcess.aspx
- California Secretary of State, Uniform Commercial Code: https://www.sos.ca.gov/business-programs/ucc
- California Commercial Code § 9501: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=9501.&lawCode=COM
- Epiq, SunPower Corporation case information, Case No. 24-11649 (Bankr. D. Del.): https://dm.epiq11.com/case/sunpower/info ; SunPower Inc., "The SunPower Corporation Bankruptcy and What You Need to Know": https://us.sunpower.com/acquisition-announcement
- Kroll Restructuring Administration, Sunnova case website: https://restructuring.ra.kroll.com/Sunnova/
- California Attorney General, Consumer Complaint Against a Business/Company: https://oag.ca.gov/contact/consumer-complaint-against-business-or-company
- CFPB, Submit a complaint: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/
Information checked November 10, 2026. Not legal advice. Laws and agency pages change; confirm with the official source.
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