Resources > Solar rights and consumer protection

Solar rights and consumer protection

• Factsheet

April 18, 2024

Solar United Neighbors (SUN) is committed to supporting solar homeowners and their rights. Simply put, it’s the right thing to do. It’s also critical to the continued growth and adoption of solar energy—something we’re all for!

As of Q1 2024, more than 4.8 million solar energy systems have been installed nationwide. The solar industry is rapidly growing to meet the demand. We at SUN are here for solar consumers every step of the way.

Whether you’re curious about solar, or you’ve got a system on your roof, you have solar rights. We’re here to help you fight for them!

What we do to protect consumers

Throughout the country, SUN works to promote strong solar consumer rights and consumer education. Here are a few examples:

We worked with Green Energy Ohio to develop a solar ethics pledge for solar installers. 

In Virginia, we supported legislation in 2023 (HB 2355) that would have created a stakeholder process to develop solar consumer protections. This bill did not pass, but progress was made. We held dozens of meetings with the solar industry, consumers, and environmental groups to develop a policy to improve consumer protections. We worked with legislators to introduce that policy in 2024 (HB 576/SB 313). The bill included a requirement for disclosure forms for residential solar sales. It also created a working group to determine if other policies are needed. This bill passed the legislature and was sent to the Governor. Unfortunately, he removed the disclosure form and the bill died when sent back to the legislature.

In Texas, we helped pass SB 398, the Solar Consumer Protection Act, in 2021. This bill further solidified the rights of solar customers in Historic Districts and HOAs. It also required solar companies to provide minimum disclosures for all solar sales and leases. 

SUN’s VP of Go Solar Programs, Corey Ramsden, serves on the Solar and Energy Storage Consumer Protection Standard committee. This committee is guiding the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) in its development of national standards for solar companies. The standards will be released in late 2024. They will include solar sales and consumer protection.

Resources for buying and owning solar

Below, you’ll find some of the best resources to help you buy, own, and advocate for solar.