Free self-scoring checklist, state rights guides, and plain-language answers on payment shock and installer closures amid federal solar-loan fee scrutiny.
Scottsdale, AZ (PRUnderground) September 11th, 2026
AmeriVanta, a nationwide consumer advocacy and intake organization headquartered at 15169 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85254, today announced the launch of a free, plain-language resource library addressing the questions homeowners most often have about their residential solar financing agreements. The library includes a self-scoring checklist for recognizing high-pressure sales tactics, plain-language explanations of why solar loan payments sometimes increase, general guidance for homeowners whose installer or lender has gone out of business, and state-specific guides to consumer rights around solar contracts, with Texas, California, Florida, and Arizona live today and more states rolling out. Every resource is free to use and does not require homeowners to submit their information to access it.
Why AmeriVanta Built It
The library responds to a documented pattern of confusion in how residential solar is sold and financed. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has reported that hidden markups on solar loans -- described to consumers under labels such as "program fees," "lending fees," or "dealer fees" -- typically range from 10 to 30 percent of a project's cash price and can exceed 50 percent, sometimes adding thousands of dollars to a loan's principal without a clear, itemized disclosure to the homeowner.
The CFPB has also detailed how many solar loans are structured to re-amortize to a higher monthly payment -- commonly around month 19 -- unless the homeowner prepays roughly 30 percent of the loan principal, an amount tied to a federal solar tax credit that is not guaranteed and depends on each household's individual tax liability. Homeowners who don't make that prepayment, often because they were never made to clearly understand the requirement, can see their monthly payment increase by $65 or more with little warning -- an experience widely referred to as "payment shock." Separately, research from Harvard Business School's Institute for Business in Global Society estimates that roughly 100 U.S. solar companies have filed for bankruptcy protection since 2023, leaving homeowners across the country with active loans, unresolved warranty questions, and no clear point of contact.
"Most of what we hear from homeowners isn't that solar itself was a bad decision -- it's that they didn't fully understand what they signed, and by the time their payment changed or their installer disappeared, they didn't know where to turn," the company said in a statement. "This library exists so someone can check what's actually in their agreement, in plain language, before they decide anything."
What's in the Library
• Sales-tactic self-scoring checklist -- a short, homeowner-facing checklist for recognizing common high-pressure or misleading sales patterns, built to be scored in a few minutes without submitting any personal information.
• Payment-increase guide -- a plain-language breakdown of how and why solar loan payments can increase after the first year or two, including the prepayment structure the CFPB has flagged, so homeowners can check their own agreement against it.
• Installer- and lender-closure guidance -- general, plain-language information for homeowners whose solar installer or financing company has ceased operating, covering what typically happens to a loan, warranty, and equipment obligations when the original company is no longer reachable.
• State-by-state rights guides -- guides addressing consumer protection and cancellation-related law specific to each state, starting with Texas, California, Florida, and Arizona.
• "Should I stop paying?" guide -- a direct answer to one of the most common questions AmeriVanta receives, making clear that any decision about withholding payment on a loan or contract should only be made under the advice of a qualified attorney -- never based on general information alone.
How AmeriVanta's Services Work
Alongside the free library, AmeriVanta offers a no-cost, no-obligation review process: a homeowner shares their solar agreement and related documents, AmeriVanta helps them understand what those documents say in plain language, and where a legal issue may be present, AmeriVanta connects the homeowner with an independent attorney licensed in their state for a legal review. AmeriVanta is not a law firm, does not provide legal advice or legal representation, and does not guarantee any outcome. Any attorney-client relationship is formed solely between the homeowner and the referred attorney, not with AmeriVanta.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AmeriVanta a law firm?
No. AmeriVanta is a consumer advocacy and intake organization. It does not provide legal advice or legal representation. Where a homeowner's situation may warrant legal review, AmeriVanta connects them with an independent attorney licensed in their state.
Does AmeriVanta charge homeowners for a contract review?
No. AmeriVanta's intake review and resource library are free, with no obligation to continue.
What causes "payment shock" on a solar loan?
According to the CFPB, many solar loans are structured to re-amortize to a higher monthly payment, often around month 19, unless the homeowner prepays approximately 30 percent of the loan principal -- an amount tied to a federal tax credit that isn't guaranteed. Homeowners who don't make that prepayment can see their payment increase with little warning.
Should I stop paying my solar loan?
That decision should only be made under the advice of a qualified attorney. AmeriVanta does not advise homeowners to stop making payments on any loan or contractual obligation, and general information should never be treated as a substitute for individual legal advice.
What should I do if my solar installer or lender went out of business?
A loan or lien generally survives even if the original company does not. AmeriVanta's resource library outlines, in general terms, what homeowners commonly need to check -- who now services the loan, what the warranty situation is, and whether any lien on the equipment affects the home -- and can connect homeowners with an independent attorney for a review specific to their situation.
About AmeriVanta
AmeriVanta is a nationwide consumer advocacy and intake organization headquartered at 15169 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85254, serving homeowners across the United States. AmeriVanta helps homeowners gather and understand their solar financing agreements in plain language and, where appropriate, connects them with independent attorneys licensed in their state. AmeriVanta is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or legal representation; any attorney-client relationship is formed solely between the homeowner and the referred attorney, not with AmeriVanta. AmeriVanta does not advise homeowners to stop making payments on any loan or contractual obligation. Results vary, and no outcome is promised or implied -- whether any legal remedy is available depends on the individual's documents, the facts of their situation, and applicable state and federal law.
