Дефектный solar installations cause roof leaks, electrical hazards, and system underperformance. When подрядчикs breach their obligations or file improper liens, this playbook helps you document defects, assert гарантия claims, and demand reмедиация or убытки.
Incorrect panel orientation, shading not addressed, equipment mismatch
Production 20-40% below specifications, failed ROI
Permit/инспекция failures
Нет permits pulled, failed инспекцияs, unpermitted electrical work
Voided warranties, sale complications, forced removal
Нарушение Договора Claims
System fails to meet specified wattage or production guarantees
Installation not completed by contractual deadline
Equipment differs from contract specifications
Warranties not honored as promised
Change orders or additional charges not authorized
Workmanship Дефект Claims
Installation fails to meet industry standards (NABCEP guidelines)
Work violates National Electric Code (NEC) requirements
Damage to property during installation
Substandard materials used despite contract specifications
Failure to pass required building инспекцияs
Safety First: If you suspect electrical defects, arc faults, or fire hazards, contact a licensed electrician immediately. Some solar installation defects create genuine safety risks that require immediate professional assessment.
Legal Framework for Installation Disputes
Подрядчик Licensing Requirements
State
Required License
Effect of Unlicensed Work
California
C-10 (Electrical) or C-46 (Solar)
Contract is voidable; подрядчик has no lien rights; criminal штрафы
Arizona
CR-11 Electrical (Solar endorsement)
Civil штрафы; no valid mechanics lien; contract voidable
Nevada
C-2G (Photovoltaic)
Void contract; consumer can recover all payments
Florida
EC (Electrical Подрядчик)
Нет mechanics lien rights; administrative штрафы
Texas
Electrical подрядчик license (varies by city)
Local ordinance нарушениеs; contract enforceability issues
Mechanics Lien Issues
UCC Filings: Financed solar systems often involve UCC-1 financing statements that encumber your property. These are not mechanics liens but create similar complications.
Подрядчик Liens: If you withhold payment due to defects, the подрядчик may file a mechanics lien. In most states, substantial defects provide a defense to lien enforcement.
Lien Waivers: Demand unconditional lien waivers before making final payment. Conditional waivers become unconditional only when the check clears.
License Requirements: In California and other states, unlicensed подрядчикs cannot file valid mechanics liens.
Гарантия Claims
Manufacturer warranties: Solar panels typically have 25-year performance warranties and 10-12 year equipment warranties. Inverters usually have 10-25 year warranties.
Installer workmanship гарантия: Most contracts include 1-10 year workmanship warranties covering installation defects.
Implied warranties: Even without express warranties, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness apply to construction work.
Гарантия transfer: Manufacturer warranties typically transfer to new owners; installer warranties may or may not transfer.
CSLB Remedies (California): The Подрядчикs State License Board can order restitution, suspend or revoke licenses, and recover from the Подрядчик's Bond. Filing a CSLB исковое заявление is often more effective than суд мелких тяжб for amounts up to $15,000.
Контрольный Список Документов
Документы по Договору
Signed installation contract with all exhibits
System specifications: panel wattage, inverter model, kW rating
Production estimates and guarantees
Гарантия terms (installer and manufacturer)
Change orders and payment schedule
Financing agreement if applicable
Permit and Инспекция Records
Building permits (request from local building department)
Electrical permits and инспекция results
Utility interconnection approval
Final инспекция sign-off (or failure notices)
Any correction notices from inspectors
Дефект Доказательства
Photographs: Document visible defects, water stains, damaged roofing, exposed wiring, and equipment labels showing model numbers.
Video: Record water leaks during rain, system monitoring data, and inspector comments.
Independent инспекция: Hire a licensed solar inspector or electrical engineer to document defects and code нарушениеs.
Production data: Скачать monitoring reports showing actual production versus contract specifications.
Ремонт estimates: Get written estimates from other подрядчикs to fix the defects.
Communication Trail
All emails, texts, and letters with the installer
Service call requests and installer responses
Гарантия требование submissions and denials
Any promises made to fix issues that were not fulfilled
Tip: Before allowing the installer back on your property for ремонтные работы, document the current condition thoroughly. Some подрядчикs "fix" problems by covering them up or making cosmetic ремонтные работы that fail later.
Letter Strategy
Core Legal Claims
нарушение договора: System fails to meet specifications, production guarantees, or completion deadlines.
Breach of гарантия: Installer refuses to honor workmanship гарантия or assist with manufacturer claims.
Халатность: Installation failed to meet the standard of care for solar подрядчикs, causing property damage.
Building code нарушениеs: Work fails to comply with NEC, local electrical codes, or building standards.
License law нарушениеs: Work performed by unlicensed personnel or company operating without proper license.
Specific Требования
Cure defects: Ремонт all defects at installer's expense within specified timeframe.
Property damage: Ремонт or compensate for roof damage, water intrusion damage, and any consequential losses.
Production shortfall: Compensate for difference between actual and guaranteed production, or upgrade system.
Permit соблюдение: Complete all required permits and pass final инспекцияs.
Lien release: Release any improper liens or UCC filings if payment is disputed due to defects.
Lien Defense Strategy
If the подрядчик has filed a lien, your требование should assert that defects constitute a valid offset against the lien amount.
In California, unlicensed подрядчикs have no lien rights. Verify license status at cslb.ca.gov.
Document that you provided timely notice of defects and opportunity to cure before withholding payment.
Consider recording a notice of completion or cessation to start lien deadline clocks.
Арбитраж Clauses: Many solar contracts require арбитраж. Review your contract carefully. требовательное письмоs are still valuable for creating a record and may resolve matters without formal proceedings.
Sample Solar Installation Дефект Требование
[Date]
Via заказное письмо and Email
[Solar Installation Company Name]
[Address]
[City, State ZIP]
Re: Demand for Дефект Reмедиация and Убытки
Customer: [Your Name]
Contract Date: [Date]
Installation Address: [Address]
Contract Amount: $[Amount]
Dear Sir or Madam:
I represent [Customer Name] regarding the solar panel system you installed at the above property. This letter demands immediate reмедиация of installation defects and компенсация for resulting убытки.
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
On [Date], my client contracted with your company to install a [X] kW solar panel system consisting of [number] [Brand] panels with a [Brand] inverter. The contract price was $[Amount], with installation to be completed by [Date]. The contract included a [X]-year workmanship гарантия and production guarantee of [X] kWh annually.
INSTALLATION DEFECTS
An independent инспекция by [Licensed Inspector Name, License #] on [Date] identified the following defects:
1. ROOF PENETRATIONS: Multiple mounting points lack proper flashing and sealant. Water intrusion has occurred during rain events, causing water stains on interior ceiling drywall and potential mold conditions.
2. ELECTRICAL CODE VIOLATIONS: The DC wiring run exceeds NEC 690.31 requirements without proper conduit protection. Ground fault protection testing was not completed per NEC 690.5. The main service panel wiring fails to meet NEC 705.12 requirements for supply-side connections.
3. STRUCTURAL CONCERNS: [Number] mounting points are not attached to rafters and instead rely only on deck sheathing, violating manufacturer installation specifications and creating risk of panel separation.
4. PERMIT VIOLATIONS: Our review of building department records shows that electrical permit #[Number] was never finalized. The installation failed its [Date] инспекция for [reason], and no follow-up инспекция was scheduled.
5. UNDERPERFORMANCE: System monitoring shows actual production of [X] kWh over the past 12 months, [X]% below the guaranteed [X] kWh. The inverter error logs show [number] ground fault shutdowns.
DAMAGES
These defects have caused and continue to cause the following убытки:
- Interior water damage requiring drywall ремонт: $[Amount] (estimate attached)
- Mold инспекция and potential reмедиация: $[Amount] (estimate attached)
- Lost energy production value: $[Amount] (based on [X] kWh shortfall at $0.XX/kWh)
- Independent инспекция fees: $[Amount]
- Risk of fire from electrical defects: incalculable but significant
LEGAL CLAIMS
Your company's failures constitute:
- Breach of the installation contract and express warranties
- Breach of the implied гарантия of workmanship
- Нарушение of [State] подрядчик licensing laws (License #[Number] was not properly qualified for electrical work)
- Building and electrical code нарушениеs
- Халатность causing property damage
Under [State] law, willful подрядчик нарушениеs may result in license suspension, bond claims, and enhanced убытки.
ТРЕБОВАНИЕS
Within fourteen (14) days of this letter, [Company Name] must:
1. Provide a detailed written reмедиация plan addressing all defects identified in the инспекция report;
2. Schedule and complete ремонтные работы within thirty (30) days, to be verified by independent re-инспекция at your expense;
3. Complete all required permits and pass final building department инспекция;
4. Pay $[Amount] for interior water damage ремонтные работы and related expenses;
5. Compensate $[Amount] for production shortfall to date, and either upgrade the system or provide ongoing компенсация for continued underperformance;
6. Extend the workmanship гарантия to [X] years from completion of reмедиация.
If you fail to respond or refuse to remediate, my client will:
- File a исковое заявление with the [State] Подрядчикs State License Board seeking restitution and license discipline;
- Pursue a требование against your подрядчик's bond (Bond #[Number]);
- Initiate legal proceedings for нарушение договора, халатность, and [State] Защита Прав Потребителей Act нарушениеs;
- Record a notice of дефектный construction against any lien claims you may file.
You are on notice that withholding payment for дефектный work is lawful. Any attempt to file a mechanics lien for disputed amounts will be vigorously contested.
Контакт me at [email/phone] to arrange инспекция access and discuss resolution.
С уважением,
[Адвокат Name]
[Firm Name]
[Address]
[Phone]
[Email]
Приложения:
- Independent инспекция report
- Photograph documentation of defects
- Production data showing shortfall
- Ремонт estimates
- Building department permit records
cc: [State] Подрядчикs State License Board
[Подрядчик's Bonding Company]
If the installer is defunct, pursue claims against their подрядчик's bond (typically valid for 4 года after last renewal), file with the CSLB взыскание fund if available, pursue manufacturer гарантия claims directly, and check if the installer had ответственность страхование that might still cover claims.
Да, you can generally withhold payment proportional to the cost of correcting defects, but you must provide письменное уведомление of the defects and opportunity to cure. Document everything. The подрядчик may still file a lien, but your дефект claims provide a valid offset defense.
Адвокат Услуги & Контакт
Solar Installation Дефект Representation
I represent домовладелецs dealing with дефектный solar installations, roof damage, electrical hazards, and подрядчик disputes. Cases with documented defects, independent инспекцияs, and significant убытки are strong candidates for successful взыскание.
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