The classic Central Florida pitch: "The sunshine is free, so your electricity should be, too." From the master-planned streets of Lake Nona to the established neighborhoods of Winter Park and Kissimmee, thousands of homeowners were lured into solar contracts under the guise of "state-sponsored programs" or "zero-cost" initiatives. The reality is that many Orlando residents now carry two power bills -- one to Duke Energy or OUC, and a massive monthly loan payment to a solar financier.

Why Orlando Homeowners Are Done With Solar Scams

• →The Net Metering Trap: Duke Energy and OUC policies are shifting, and many homeowners find their credits are worth far less than what was promised during the sales pitch.
• →HOA and Aesthetic Disputes: In many Orlando-area HOAs, unapproved or poorly placed panels lead to fines -- yet the solar company often pushes through the install anyway.
• →The 18-Month Balloon Payment: Many reps fail to mention that monthly payments spike by 30-50% after 18 months if you don't hand over your entire federal tax credit to the lender.
• →Hurricane Resilience Concerns: Central Florida is Lightning Alley. Systems without high-grade surge protection or proper wind-load mounts are a serious liability.

Florida's Consumer Rights for Orlando Homeowners

Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA)

If a salesperson misrepresented government incentives, lied about future utility savings, or used high-pressure "sign today or lose out" tactics, they likely violated FDUTPA -- making the contract voidable.

Florida Statute Section 520.73 (Home Improvement Contracts)

Solar installations are legally classified as home improvements in Florida. The law requires very specific disclosures regarding total price, interest rates, and the right to cancel. Missing disclosures can make the contract unenforceable.

FTC Cooling-Off Rule

Since most solar deals are closed at the kitchen table, federal law gives you a mandatory 3-day right to cancel. If the company didn't provide the specific "Notice of Cancellation" forms required by law, your right to cancel might still be legally active.

Solar Companies We Are Investigating in Central Florida

• →Sunrun: Frequent issues with PPAs that make it nearly impossible to sell your home without a massive payout.
• →Sunnova: Local homeowners report extreme delays in repairs, sometimes leaving systems broken for months.
• →ADT Solar: Following their exit from solar, many Orlando customers have no one to honor their 25-year warranties.
• →GoodLeap / Momentum Solar: Many disputes where financing terms were not clearly explained, leading to massive hidden dealer fees.
• →Palmetto: Poor communication and systems that don't produce the energy levels promised during the sales pitch.