Southern Solar Power and the SolaTrue Takeover: What It Means for Homeowners

Was your solar installer Southern Solar Power? Ever feel like you made a deal with one company, only to find out you’re now dealing with someone else entirely? …What about when that deal involves the solar panels on your roof?

Choosing a solar installer is a long-term commitment. You trust that the company will be there to support you for years to come. But if you were a customer of Southern Solar Power, you might now be in a confusing and frustrating situation, wondering who is responsible for your system since the company was acquired. 🙂

When the company that holds your warranty seems to have vanished into another, it’s natural to feel concerned about your investment.

My hope and thought is that you can find clarity without having to untangle a complex corporate web on your own. And you definitely don’t have to accept being ignored when you have a problem with your system.

When you’re promised a 25-year warranty, you expect it to be honored, regardless of who owns the company. But for many former Southern Solar customers, that promise now feels empty.

Ready to understand what happened to Southern Solar and what you can do to protect yourself? This post will (hopefully) walk you through everything you need to know, from the company’s acquisition to the legal steps you can take to get the service you were promised. Let’s get started!

A Look at Southern Solar History and Acquisition

Southern Solar Power was a solar installation company that served homeowners in several states, including Texas, Florida, and Georgia. They operated for years, installing systems and promising long-term support and warranties.

However, the company’s structure changed significantly. In late 2023, Southern Solar Power was acquired by a company called SolaTrue. On paper, this can be a normal business event. The acquiring company typically absorbs the assets, operations, and, most importantly, the obligations of the company it buys. This includes honoring existing customer warranties and service agreements.

Source: BBB

A Pattern of Problems: Customer Reviews

Even before the acquisition, Southern Solar Power had a mixed bag of customer reviews. While some customers were satisfied, many others reported issues on platforms like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with long delays, poor communication, and problems with their installations.

Unfortunately, for many customers, the situation did not improve after the acquisition by SolaTrue. A troubling pattern of complaints has emerged from former Southern Solar customers who now find themselves unable to get service from the new parent company. I know I’ve personally seen how frustrating it is for homeowners who are passed from one company to another, with no one taking responsibility.

What Is Going Wrong for Former Customers?

The primary issue for former Southern Solar customers is a lack of accountability from the new owner, SolaTrue. Many homeowners report the following problems:

• Unresponsive Service Department: When their solar panels malfunction, customers who call for service report that their calls go unanswered and that they are unable to get help.
• Warranty Claims Being Ignored: Despite having a 25-year warranty, customers are finding it difficult, if not impossible, to get SolaTrue to honor the obligations that should have been transferred from Southern Solar.
• Lack of Communication: There appears to have been poor communication to customers about the acquisition, leaving many unsure of who to even contact for service.

Essentially, customers who signed a contract with Southern Solar are now struggling to get the new parent company to acknowledge them, leaving them with faulty systems and worthless warranties.

Are They in Business? The SolaTrue Connection

This is where it gets confusing for homeowners. Southern Solar Power, as a brand and independent entity, no longer exists. It has been absorbed by SolaTrue.

So, is the company out of business? Yes and no.

• Southern Solar Power: The company you signed your contract with is gone.
• SolaTrue: The company that acquired Southern Solar Power and its obligations is still in business.

The problem isn’t that the company has disappeared entirely; it’s that the new, active company is allegedly failing to support the customers it inherited.

The Critical Question: Is Your Warranty Still Valid?

This is the most important question for every former Southern Solar customer. When one company acquires another, the service and warranty obligations are typically part of the deal. Your 25-year workmanship and product warranty should have been transferred to SolaTrue.

However, based on customer complaints, it appears these obligations are not being met. It is crucial that you verify the status of your warranty immediately.

Your Action Item: Contact SolaTrue in writing (an email or certified letter is best to create a paper trail). Clearly state that you are a former Southern Solar Power customer and ask for written confirmation that they will continue to honor the 25-year warranty as specified in your original contract. Their response, or lack thereof, will be a critical piece of evidence.

Your Financial Leverage: The FTC Holder Rule

If you financed your solar system, you have a very powerful tool at your disposal. If the loan was arranged by Southern Solar, it is subject to a federal regulation called the FTC Holder Rule.

So…what is the Holder Rule?

This rule preserves your consumer rights by making the lender legally responsible for the seller’s misconduct. It states that the finance company that holds your loan is subject to the same legal claims and defenses you could assert against the seller.

This means if Southern Solar breached its contract (by failing to provide a lasting warranty, which was passed to SolaTrue), you can hold the finance company accountable for that breach. This could allow you to:

• Bring a legal claim against your lender for the failure to honor the warranty.
• Seek to have your loan canceled and recover payments you’ve already made.
• You may have the right to raise claims that limit or offset what the lender can collect.

The Holder Rule ensures you aren’t left paying for a broken product when the seller, or its successor, fails to deliver on its promises.

💡 Don’t Let the Warranty Runaround Win

If you’ve been caught in the hand-off between Southern Solar and SolaTrue, you’re not alone. And you don’t have to figure it out on your own.

At Prevost Law Firm, we help homeowners hold lenders and successor companies accountable when promises are broken. Whether your panels don’t work, your warranty was ignored, or you’re getting the runaround from the new company, we can help you take back control.

You may have the right to cancel your loan, recover payments, or force the responsible party to honor your warranty.

⚖️ Request a no-cost case review to see what legal options apply to your situation.

 👉 Get My Free Case Review

Legal Actions to Take When Your Solar Panels Aren’t Working

If you are a former Southern Solar customer with a faulty system and an unresponsive parent company, you need to take action.

1. Document Everything. Gather your original contract from Southern Solar, your loan agreement, and any communication you have had with both Southern Solar and SolaTrue. Keep detailed records of any system failures.
2. Send a Formal Demand Letter. As mentioned above, send a certified letter to SolaTrue demanding they honor your warranty. Also, send a letter to your finance company, informing them of the situation and that you intend to assert your rights under the FTC Holder Rule.
3. File Official Complaints. Report the issue to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Attorney General’s office in your state. This creates an official record of your complaint.
4. Consult with an Experienced Attorney. The most effective step you can take is to speak with a law firm with a background in handling solar panel lawsuits. An experienced consumer protection attorney can review your case and represent you in taking action against your lender.

Southern Solar Conclusion

The acquisition of Southern Solar Power by SolaTrue has left many homeowners in a difficult position, holding a warranty that is not being honored. This situation highlights the importance of understanding your rights when corporate structures change.

For those affected, it is critical to know that you are not without recourse. By formally demanding that the new company honor its obligations and by understanding the power of the FTC Holder Rule, you can take steps to hold the right parties accountable.

Be sure to reach out to SolaTrue to see if they took over your workmanship warranty or not, if you’re in need of support, before seeking legal assistance. 

Above all, remember that you don’t have to accept being ignored. Seeking knowledgeable legal guidance can provide a clear path forward to protect your investment and enforce the promises that were made to you.

Frequently Ask Questions (FAQs)

Who is responsible for my Southern Solar warranty now?
Legally, the acquiring company, SolaTrue, should be responsible for honoring the warranties sold to Southern Solar Power customers.

What should I do if SolaTrue won’t answer my calls?
Switch to written communication. Send a certified letter or an email to create a documented record of your attempts to resolve the issue. This documentation is crucial for any future legal action.

Can I stop paying my solar loan if my system isn’t working?
You should first consult with an attorney before stopping payments. However, the FTC Holder Rule may give you the legal right to stop payments if the seller (or its successor) has breached the contract. An attorney can help you do this correctly to protect your credit.

How do I find out who my lender is?
Your lender is the company you make your monthly payments to. Their name and contact information will be on your loan agreement and monthly billing statements.

Is it expensive to hire a lawyer for this?
Many consumer protection law firms, including Prevost Law Firm, work on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay any attorney’s fees unless they win your case.