Photo voltaic installer SunPower filed for chapter on Aug. 5, turning into the most recent photo voltaic firm to succumb to the consequences of rising prices, extra competitors and altering state incentives and laws. Extra bankruptcies could also be on the horizon, too – in California alone, a whopping 75% of photo voltaic firms at the moment are beneath monetary duress, in line with analysis from photo voltaic guarantee supplier Photo voltaic Insure[0].
For shoppers with photo voltaic panels, a photo voltaic supplier’s chapter is greater than only a headline; it may be the beginning of an enormous headache. Right here’s what to know if it’s out of the blue lights out on your personal photo voltaic supplier.
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Will the corporate proceed to function?
Why: In case your photo voltaic firm information Chapter 7 chapter, it intends to instantly cease working and unload its belongings. You most likely received’t be capable of contact anybody on the firm, and it’s most likely not going that will help you with repairs or guarantee work. In case your photo voltaic firm information Chapter 11 chapter, however, it doubtless intends to maintain working whereas it figures out if it could actually restructure to remain operational[0]. Not all firms survive Chapter 11 bankruptcies, although.
Motion you’ll be able to take now: In case your photo voltaic firm information chapter or one other firm acquires it, it’s best to obtain a letter within the mail telling you concerning the state of affairs and if it would have an effect on your contract.
“So, it is crucial over the subsequent few months for the shoppers which are get together to these contracts to concentrate to their mail as a result of they are going to obtain notices from the chapter courtroom, indicating if there’s a plan to both cancel or honor or switch to a brand new firm these agreements,” says Monique D. Hayes, a companion at DGIM Legislation in Miami, Florida.
Take note of the deadlines within the notifications, Hayes provides. Prospects who wish to file a declare for monetary damages — akin to if the corporate stated it will restore a system however didn’t accomplish that earlier than submitting chapter — normally solely have 90 days after the chapter submitting to file the declare.
Will my photo voltaic panels (and battery) nonetheless work?
Why: Your tools will nonetheless produce photo voltaic vitality in case your photo voltaic installer shuts down. That is as a result of as soon as your system is correctly related and dealing, a photo voltaic firm’s function is normally solely to observe, troubleshoot and restore the system when wanted.
Motion you’ll be able to take now: You’ll wish to take into consideration discovering a brand new firm to deal with repairs, although, if a distinct firm doesn’t take over your installer’s guarantee contract.
Can I nonetheless monitor my system’s manufacturing?
Why: Some producers set up tools that has monitoring capabilities. This enables the tools to gather knowledge about how your photo voltaic panels are functioning. Usually, the supplier’s monitoring software program or app makes the info accessible — however you could possibly see the info with totally different monitoring software program.
Motion you’ll be able to take now: Even when your monitoring app didn’t come out of your photo voltaic panel installer (maybe it got here from the producer of your photo voltaic inverter, for instance), you may be capable of swap to a third-party app as a substitute, says Aaron Nichols, a advertising and marketing and advocacy specialist with Actual Photo voltaic, which installs photo voltaic vitality methods in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
Can I nonetheless get a restore by means of my producer guarantee?
Quick reply: Probably.
Why: Photo voltaic panel producers typically guarantee their merchandise in opposition to defects, and in some circumstances they assure a sure degree of vitality manufacturing. That is separate from the warranties your photo voltaic installer offered for the set up work itself. So so long as the photo voltaic installer and producer aren’t the identical firm, it’s best to nonetheless be capable of name the producer for warrantied service on the panels.
In case your installer can be the producer of the photo voltaic panels, chapter might have an effect on your producer guarantee. Nevertheless, if one other firm acquires your bankrupt installer, the brand new proprietor might honor the present warranties, although that’s not all the time the case, says Hayes.
Motion you’ll be able to take now: If a brand new firm doesn’t purchase your photo voltaic supplier or received’t honor your current guarantee, it’s possible you’ll wish to rent a distinct photo voltaic firm for service.
“The excellent news is there’s most likely an organization that is prepared to tackle the service settlement that is in your space,” Nichols says.
Though they normally received’t change the workmanship guarantee, Nichols says some photo voltaic firms will help with issues akin to troubleshooting points, repairing tools and uninstalling and reinstalling panels for roof replacements. Firms’ providers range, and also you’re most likely going to need to pay for them, he provides.
There are two methods to discover a new servicer, in line with Nichols: both seek for an authorized installer on your tools’s model (for instance, when you have an Enphase battery, seek for installers skilled on that expertise), or search on-line for “photo voltaic system service” or “photo voltaic system upkeep,” which ought to present you firms providing these providers.
Your new servicer can most likely monitor your system for you as properly, Nichols says. Switching over your monitoring additionally lets the corporate remotely troubleshoot points along with your system.
Can I make a declare in opposition to my workmanship guarantee?
Why: A workmanship guarantee normally covers the set up of your photo voltaic panels and associated set up tools, together with the design of your system and installation-related roof injury. The photo voltaic supplier might switch that guarantee contract to a different firm in some circumstances
“A few of these contracts, for example, nonetheless have cost obligations on them,” Hayes says. “As a result of if it was a contract for a photo voltaic buy or guarantee buy that is paid over time, that contract has worth.”
The phrases and situations of buyer contracts sometimes don’t change if the photo voltaic supplier sells them. If that’s the case along with your photo voltaic firm, Hayes says, the brand new firm will doubtless honor your guarantee.
Nevertheless, if a purchaser doesn’t wish to buy current contracts and warranties, it has to inform affected clients that it is canceling their contracts, Hayes says.
Motion you’ll be able to take now: Till you’re notified that one other firm has bought your guarantee settlement, name your photo voltaic firm first when you want one thing repaired by means of the guarantee. Preserve information and watch fastidiously for a response.
“If the corporate is just not responding or offering the service or fully ignoring the discover, then they could have a declare within the chapter continuing,” Hayes says.
Ought to I nonetheless make funds on my mortgage?
Why: In the event you financed your photo voltaic panels by means of your now-bankrupt photo voltaic firm, one other firm will doubtless buy the mortgage and you’ll nonetheless have to make the funds. Failing to make funds on the mortgage can have some critical penalties in your credit score scores, end in charges and extra. In the event you funded with an fairness mortgage, you’ll be able to even danger dropping your private home.
Motion you’ll be able to take now: In the event you financed with an exterior financial institution (not by means of your photo voltaic firm), your mortgage should not be impacted. Those that financed with the photo voltaic firm ought to obtain data who’s taking up mortgage servicing. After you get that data, contact the brand new lender and confirm that your mortgage phrases will stay the identical. In case your mortgage settlement allowed your unique photo voltaic firm to change your mortgage phrases, such because the rate of interest, the brand new lender may have the identical rights to make modifications, Hayes says.