What Are GoodLeap Dealer Fees?

A dealer fee is a percentage of the loan amount that GoodLeap charges the solar installer for originating the loan. The installer then passes this cost on to you by inflating the price of the solar system. The result: you are financing a system that costs $25,000 to install, but your loan is for $35,000 — and you were never told about the $10,000 difference.

GoodLeap dealer fees typically range from 20% to 30% of the total loan amount. On a $35,000 solar loan, this means $7,000 to $10,500 of your loan balance is pure financing cost that has nothing to do with the actual solar equipment on your roof. This fee is not disclosed as a separate line item — it is baked into the total system price.

How GoodLeap Dealer Fees Work

The mechanics of GoodLeap dealer fees are deliberately opaque. Here is how the scheme works: The solar installer quotes you a system price of $35,000. You apply for a GoodLeap loan and are approved for $35,000 at what appears to be a low interest rate (often 0.99% to 3.99%). What you do not know is that the actual cost of the solar equipment and installation is only $25,000. The remaining $10,000 is the dealer fee that GoodLeap charges the installer.

The installer receives $25,000 from GoodLeap (the actual system cost minus the dealer fee). GoodLeap keeps the $10,000 dealer fee. You, the homeowner, are now paying interest on $35,000 for 25 years — including $10,000 that went straight to GoodLeap as profit. The "low" interest rate is an illusion: when you factor in the dealer fee, your effective interest rate is much higher than advertised.

Why GoodLeap Dealer Fees Are Predatory

GoodLeap dealer fees are predatory for several reasons. First, they are not transparently disclosed. The fee is not listed as a separate line item on your loan documents — it is hidden within the total system price. Second, the fee artificially inflates the cost of your solar system, meaning you are paying more than the system is worth. Third, you are paying interest on the dealer fee for the entire 25-year loan term, compounding the cost. Fourth, the "low" interest rate is misleading because it does not account for the embedded dealer fee.

• →A $35,000 GoodLeap loan at 2.99% for 25 years costs $50,100 in total payments
• →Without the $10,000 dealer fee, the same loan would be $25,000 at 2.99% — costing only $35,800
• →The dealer fee adds $14,300 to your total cost over the life of the loan
• →Your effective interest rate, accounting for the dealer fee, is approximately 7-9% — not the advertised 2.99%

Legal Challenges to GoodLeap Dealer Fees

GoodLeap is facing increasing legal scrutiny over its dealer fee practices. In 2024, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) began investigating solar lending practices, with GoodLeap as a primary target. Multiple class action lawsuits have been filed alleging that GoodLeap's dealer fees violate the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) and state consumer protection laws.

Truth in Lending Act (TILA) Violations

TILA requires lenders to clearly disclose the total cost of borrowing, including all fees and charges. If GoodLeap's dealer fee is not clearly disclosed as a finance charge in your loan documents, the loan may violate TILA. TILA violations can result in the borrower recovering all finance charges paid, plus statutory damages.

State Consumer Protection Claims

Many states have specific laws governing solar financing. California, for example, requires that all costs associated with a solar installation be clearly disclosed to the homeowner before signing. If the dealer fee was not disclosed, you may have a claim under California's Consumers Legal Remedies Act or similar state statutes.

Fraud and Misrepresentation

If your solar installer told you the system cost $35,000 when the actual installation cost was $25,000, this is a material misrepresentation. Both the installer and GoodLeap may be liable for fraud, as they both benefit from the inflated price and both participate in concealing the dealer fee from the homeowner.

How to Fight Your GoodLeap Solar Loan

If you believe your GoodLeap solar loan contains hidden dealer fees, here is what you should do: First, request a complete breakdown of your loan from GoodLeap, including the amount disbursed to the installer versus the total loan amount. Second, get an independent appraisal of your solar system to determine its actual market value. Third, compare the appraised value against your loan balance — any significant discrepancy likely indicates a dealer fee.

Fourth, file a complaint with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov. Fifth, contact a consumer protection attorney who specializes in solar lending disputes. Many attorneys offer free case reviews and work on contingency for GoodLeap cases. The legal landscape is shifting rapidly in favor of homeowners, and early action gives you the strongest position.