How Many Solar Panel Lawsuits Settle vs. Go to Arbitration?

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship.

If you’re a homeowner involved in a lawsuit against your solar panel lender or installer, you’re probably wondering: How many cases settle, and how many actually go to arbitration?

The short answer is: Most cases settle—somewhere between 80% and 90%. But the real question is when they settle. Let’s break it down.

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The Likelihood of Settlement vs. Arbitration

In traditional litigation, about 90% of cases settle before trial, and arbitration follows a similar pattern. From our review of arbitration reports involving solar lenders and installers, almost every company we’ve sued has settled at some point during the process.

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However, there’s no set timeline for when a settlement will happen.

When Do Cases Settle?

Settlement timing can vary widely:

Some cases settle soon after arbitration is filed.
Others drag on for months or even years, sometimes settling right before the arbitration hearing begins.
In rare cases, arbitration goes all the way to a final hearing and decision.

This means that while most cases will settle, there’s no guarantee of a quick resolution. If the other party refuses to settle early, your case may proceed through arbitration for an extended period.

Why Does Arbitration Take So Long?

Unlike TV legal dramas where cases wrap up in a day, arbitration can be a lengthy process. It often takes:

Months to file and get a response from the defendant.
Additional months for discovery, where both sides gather evidence.
Even longer for scheduling hearings and resolving procedural issues.

While this can be frustrating, it’s part of the process of holding lenders and installers accountable for their misrepresentations and contract violations.

Should You Expect to Go to Arbitration?

While there’s always a chance your case could go to an arbitration hearing, there’s a high probability it will settle before that happens. The key is persistence—we continue pushing for the best possible outcome, whether through settlement or arbitration.

If you’re considering legal action against your solar lender or installer and wondering about your options, contact us to learn more about what to expect in your case.