How to Cancel a Solar Contract in California (2026 Guide)
California has more rooftop solar than any other state, and some of the strongest rules about how it can be sold. Here is what California homeowners should know about getting out of a solar contract.
Your right to cancel in California
- Most solar contracts signed at your home are home solicitation contracts. You generally have 3 business days to cancel for any reason.
- If you are 65 or older, California gives you 5 business days to cancel home solicitation and home improvement contracts. This has applied since January 1, 2021.
- The seller must give you a written notice explaining how to cancel. If you never received one, talk to an attorney: the deadline may not have started.
California solar rules to know
- Since 2019, residential solar sales, leases and financing must include the Solar Energy System Disclosure Document from the Contractors State License Board (CSLB), on the front or cover page of the contract in large bold type.
- The disclosure and contract must be in the language mainly used in the sales pitch. If the pitch was in Spanish, for example, you should have received Spanish documents.
- Check that your installer held a valid California contractor license at cslb.ca.gov.
Missed the deadline?
You may still have options, such as a buyout, a transfer when you sell, or a claim if the sale involved misrepresentation. Read how to cancel a solar contract and signs you were misled. If your payment rises every year, try our solar payment calculator.
Where to complain in California
| Agency | For |
|---|---|
| Contractors State License Board (CSLB) | Installation problems, licensing and disclosure violations |
| California Attorney General | Deceptive sales practices |
| Consumer Financial Protection Bureau | Problems with a solar loan or lender |
See also: how to file a complaint that gets a response.
Sources
- CSLB: Solar requirements
- Consumer Finance Monitor: California extends cancellation period for seniors (AB 2471)
Other states
Texas · Arizona · Florida · Nevada · New Jersey · Utah · All states
This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and their application depends on your contract and the facts of your sale. Talk to a licensed attorney in California.