Solar Panel Problems, Damage, and a Legal Battle: Tiffany’s Story

When Tiffany decided to install solar panels on her home in 2021, she expected the system to reduce her electric costs and provide long-term value. Instead, the installation left her with roof damage, ongoing payments, equipment concerns, and a solar company that eventually went out of business.

Tiffany’s experience is a reminder that problems with a solar installation can go far beyond disappointing energy savings. When promises made during the sales process do not match reality, homeowners can be left dealing with significant financial and property-related consequences.

Promises Made During the Solar Sales Process

According to Tiffany, the problems began before the solar panels were even installed.

Her installer told her that she was in the last year to receive a 26% federal tax credit. She was also told that the system would generate more power than she used, allowing her to receive money back from her utility company each month.

Tiffany said those promises played an important role in her decision to move forward.

However, the results did not match what she says she was promised.

She continued to receive an electric bill every month. Although her solar system generated more power than she used at times, she learned that excess power could go back to the grid rather than providing the monthly payments she had expected. She also continued to have taxes and utility fees on her bill.

The tax credit also did not work the way it had been presented to her. Rather than simply receiving 26% of the cost of her solar panels back, Tiffany learned that the tax benefit depended on her individual tax circumstances.

For a homeowner making a major financial decision based on specific promises, discovering these differences can be frustrating and expensive.

Roof Damage Added Another Layer to the Problem

The financial concerns were only part of Tiffany’s situation.

At the time of installation, she had a two-year-old metal roof. Because the roof was relatively new and expensive, protecting it was one of her primary concerns.

Tiffany says the solar company addressed that concern by telling her that the roof and installation would be covered by a lifetime warranty. She understood that if the solar installation damaged her roof, the company would repair the damage or replace the roof.

Instead, she eventually experienced leaking in her roof and attic.

When she attempted to get help, she discovered another major problem: the installer had gone out of business.

Tiffany spent weeks trying to reach the company. Calls went to an answering service, and she said she struggled to get anyone to respond. Eventually, a contractor was sent to inspect the installation.

What the contractor found concerned her.

An Improper Installation and a $10,000 Repair Estimate

According to Tiffany, the contractor told her that several aspects of the solar installation had been done incorrectly. He reportedly identified problems with the footers supporting the solar panels and raised concerns about the age of the inverter.

For Tiffany, this was particularly frustrating because she had not selected the equipment herself. She believed the system she received was part of the package she had purchased.

The contractor provided an estimate of approximately $10,000 to correct the problems.

That left Tiffany facing a difficult financial situation.

She was already making monthly payments for her solar system. Now she was being asked to spend thousands more to correct installation problems that she believed should have been addressed under the warranty.

At the same time, her roof damage still needed attention.

“I can’t afford that,” Tiffany recalled thinking, explaining that she could not take on another substantial bill. She was already paying her existing solar payments and the cost associated with her damaged roof.

At that point, she decided to seek legal help.

Seeking Legal Help for a Solar Dispute

Tiffany ultimately contacted Prevost Law Firm for assistance.

Prevost Law Firm filed a lawsuit against her lender. Because the settlement agreement prevents the firm and Tiffany from discussing specific settlement details, they cannot share the terms of the resolution.

What Tiffany can share is how she feels about the outcome.

She described the results as better than she could have imagined. She was thrilled with how everything turned out.

For homeowners dealing with solar problems, the legal process can take time. Tiffany hired Prevost Law Firm in January 2025, and her case concluded in July 2026, approximately 18 months later.

That timeline may sound lengthy when you are already dealing with financial pressure, property damage, or a system that does not perform as expected. Tiffany, however, said she believed the process was worth it.

Relief After an 18-Month Process

One of the most significant parts of Tiffany’s story is what happened after her case ended.

She described the resolution as a weight lifted from her shoulders. After spending years dealing with the consequences of her solar installation, she felt that she could finally close that chapter of her life.

Her experience also highlights an important point for other homeowners: every solar dispute is different. Factors like loan agreements, responsible parties, and the evidence available can all affect legal options available.

Still, if you are dealing with problems similar to Tiffany’s, you do not have to assume that you simply have to live with the situation.

What Should You Do If Your Solar Installation Went Wrong?

If your solar installer went out of business, your panels were installed incorrectly, your roof was damaged, or the sales promises you received do not match your actual experience, it may be worth having your situation reviewed.

Start by gathering the documents connected to your solar system. This may include your purchase or financing agreement, installation paperwork, warranties, correspondence with the installer or lender, utility bills, repair estimates, photographs, and records of any property damage.

You should also keep records of your attempts to contact the installer or other companies involved.

Most importantly, do not assume that an unresolved solar problem is simply something you have to accept because you signed a contract.

Tiffany ultimately decided to seek legal help after realizing that the company responsible for her installation was no longer available to address the problems. Her case took time, but she says the resolution gave her the relief she had been looking for.

If you are facing a solar dispute, your situation deserves to be looked at on its own facts.

Dealing With Solar Panel Problems? Start With a No-Cost Claim Review

A solar installation can be a major financial commitment. When the system does not perform as promised, the installation causes property damage, or the company responsible for the work disappears, the situation can become overwhelming quickly.

You may still be making payments while dealing with repair bills, roof damage, equipment problems, or promises that never became reality.

If you are dealing with a situation like Tiffany’s, contact Prevost Law Firm for a no-cost claim review. The firm can review the details of your solar dispute and help you understand whether you may have a legal claim.

You do not have to figure out what happened or what options may exist on your own. Reach out to Prevost Law Firm today for a no-cost claim review. It’s time to take the first step toward understanding your legal options.