Quick Answer: To cancel a Vivint Solar contract, review your agreement for the rescission window (typically 3 days), contact Vivint Solar at 1-800-261-1000, submit a written cancellation request, and document every interaction. Cancellation fees may apply depending on your contract type and timing.
Signing a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA) can feel permanent, but you have more options than you think. Whether you are a new customer within your rescission window or years into a long-term lease, this Vivint Solar cancellation guide covers every path available to get out of Vivint Solar.
We break down the legal routes, the costs, the timelines, and the mistakes to avoid so you can take informed action today.
Solar Equity Solutions has helped more than 5,000 homeowners resolve solar contract disputes. Our attorney-led team has reviewed hundreds of Vivint Solar agreements and knows exactly where the exit points are. Here is what you need to know.
Study Your Vivint Solar Contract
Before you can exit Vivint Solar agreement, you need to understand what type of agreement you signed. Vivint Solar offered two primary contract structures to homeowners: solar leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs). Each one works differently and comes with its own cancellation rules.
Solar Lease vs. PPA: Key Differences
A solar lease means you pay a fixed monthly amount to use the solar system installed on your roof. A PPA means you pay for the actual electricity the system produces, typically at a rate lower than your utility. Both contracts commonly run 20 to 25 years.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, solar leases and PPAs account for a significant share of residential solar installations nationwide, and long contract terms are one of the top sources of homeowner disputes.
What the Contract Typically Says About Cancellation
Most Vivint Solar agreements include a rescission clause that gives you a short window, usually three business days after signing, to cancel without penalty. After that window closes, the Vivint Solar termination policy shifts significantly.
Early termination typically triggers fees that can range from a few thousand dollars to the full remaining value of the contract.
Some contracts also include a buyout clause, which lets you purchase the system outright at fair market value. Others allow transfer of the lease to a new homeowner during a property sale.
Our Experience With Vivint Solar Contracts
From reviewing hundreds of Vivint Solar agreements, one consistent pattern appears: most homeowners don’t realize how restrictive the early termination clauses are until they try to exit.
The biggest issue is usually not the cancellation itself, but the unexpectedly high buyout formula hidden in the contract terms. In many cases, homeowners only discover the true cost after installation or during a home sale, when options become limited and more expensive.
Your Vivint Solar Contract Cancellation Rights
Your rights depend heavily on when and how you try to exit. Federal and state consumer protection laws give you real leverage, especially if there were misrepresentations during the sales process.
Federal Three-Day Rescission Rule
Under the FTC Cooling-Off Rule, consumers who sign contracts in their home have the right to cancel within three business days with no penalty. This applies to door-to-door solar sales, which is how many Vivint Solar contracts were originated.
If you are within this window, act immediately. Send a written notice of cancellation by certified mail and keep a copy.
State-Level Cancellation Protections
Several states extend the rescission period or add additional consumer protections for solar contracts. California has strong rules around solar sales disclosures. Texas residents looking to cancel Vivint Solar contract Houston TX, or pursue Vivint solar lease cancellation Houston should note that Texas does not currently have a specific solar contract law, but the FTC rule still applies.
If you believe the sales representative made false claims about savings, system performance, or contract terms, you may have grounds to pursue Vivint Solar contract dispute resolution under state consumer fraud statutes.
Cancellation Rights After Installation
Many homeowners ask: Can you cancel a Vivint Solar contract after installation? The short answer is yes, but it is more complex. Once the system is installed and interconnected, the company has fulfilled its obligations under the agreement. Your options at that point are buyout, transfer, dispute-based exit, or negotiated cancellation.
Steps to Cancel Vivint Solar Contract: The Full Process
If you want to get out of Vivint Solar, follow a structured approach. Skipping steps or acting without documentation can weaken your position and cost you money.
Step 1: Pull Out Your Contract and Read It Carefully
Locate your original signed agreement. Look for sections labeled Early Termination, Cancellation, and Transfer. Note the specific dollar amounts or formulas used to calculate your Vivint Solar contract cancellation fees. Write down the contract start date and the end date.
Step 2: Contact Vivint Solar in Writing
Do not rely on phone calls alone. Send a written request via certified mail or email to Vivint Solar’s customer service. Clearly state that you intend to initiate the Vivint Solar contract cancellation and request written confirmation of your options and any applicable fees.
Vivint Solar customer service can be reached at 1-800-261-1000. Their mailing address is Vivint Solar Developer, LLC, 1800 W. Ashton Blvd., Lehi, UT 84043. Always get a case number for every interaction.
Step 3: Evaluate Your Exit Path
Based on your contract and circumstances, you will likely fall into one of these categories when figuring out how to get out of the Vivint Solar lease early:
- Within the rescission window: Cancel for free with a written notice.
- Selling your home: Transfer the lease to the buyer or negotiate a buyout.
- Financial hardship or misrepresentation: Dispute-based cancellation with legal support.
- Straightforward early exit: Pay the buyout amount stated in your contract.
Step 4: Document Everything
Save every email, every certified mail receipt, and every written response. This documentation is critical if the process escalates to a legal dispute or a complaint with a regulatory agency.
Step 5: Escalate If Needed
If Vivint Solar does not respond appropriately or disputes your cancellation rights, you have several escalation paths: filing a complaint with your state attorney general, contacting the Better Business Bureau, or working with a solar contract attorney to pursue legal options to cancel the Vivint Solar contract.
Vivint Solar Contract Termination Fees: What to Expect
The cost to cancel a Vivint Solar contract is one of the most searched questions for a reason. It can be substantial. Here is a realistic breakdown.
How to Cancel a Vivint Solar Contract Before Installation
Vivint Solar contract cancellation before installation is the easiest and least expensive path. If you are past the three-day window but the system has not yet been installed, you may be able to negotiate a cancellation with minimal or no fees, particularly if you can show that installation has not yet begun.
Cancellation After Installation
This is where costs climb. Buyout amounts for early termination typically reflect the net present value of the remaining lease payments or the estimated buyout value of the system.
Industry data suggests that early termination of a 20-year solar lease can cost between $8,000 and $25,000 or more, depending on how many years remain
A 2022 study published by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that lease and PPA agreements represent a significant financial commitment, with average total contract values often exceeding $20,000 over their full term. Understanding this figure helps you negotiate from a position of knowledge.
Note: Some contracts calculate buyout fees using a declining balance formula, meaning the fee decreases each year as you get closer to the end of the contract. Always ask Vivint Solar for the exact buyout calculation formula before agreeing to anything.
How to Exit Vivint Solar When Selling Your Home
Selling a home with a Vivint Solar lease is one of the most common reasons people look to exit a Vivint Solar agreement. The good news is that contracts typically offer a transfer option. The challenging part is that not all buyers want to assume a solar lease.
If your buyer qualifies and agrees to take over the lease, Vivint Solar will typically facilitate the transfer process. If the buyer does not qualify or refuses the lease, you will need to pay the buyout amount at closing. Some sellers factor this cost into the home’s sale price.
According to data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), homes with transferable solar leases can sometimes sell faster than comparable homes without solar, but only when the buyer understands and values the system. Transparent disclosure upfront prevents deals from falling through.
Legal Options to Cancel Vivint Solar Contract
If standard customer service channels have not worked, you have legal remedies available. These are worth exploring before paying a large buyout fee.
Dispute-Based Cancellation
If the sales representative made promises that do not appear in your contract, told you the system would eliminate your electricity bill, or misrepresented how the contract terms work, you may have grounds to void the agreement through Vivint Solar contract dispute resolution. This approach requires documentation and often legal counsel.
Regulatory Complaints
Filing a complaint with your state public utilities commission or attorney general’s office creates a formal record and often prompts a response from the company. Some states have consumer protection divisions specifically focused on energy contracts.
Working with a Solar Contract Attorney
An attorney who specializes in solar contracts can review your agreement, identify legal vulnerabilities, and represent you in negotiations or litigation. This is particularly valuable if you are facing large termination fees or a company that is unresponsive.
What Happens If You Cancel Vivint Solar Contract?
Understanding the downstream effects helps you plan. Here is what typically happens after you successfully cancel a Vivint Solar lease:
The solar panels are typically removed by Vivint Solar, though timelines vary.
Any applicable buyout fee must be paid before the agreement is fully terminated.
- Your roof penetrations are typically sealed after removal, but inspect the work carefully.
- Your utility connection reverts to standard grid service.
- Any SREC (solar renewable energy certificate) benefits associated with the system cease.
- If you paid upfront or made a down payment on the lease, that money is generally not refunded unless the cancellation was due to the company’s fault or misrepresentation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cancelling a Vivint Solar Lease
Homeowners navigating the Vivint Solar lease cancellation process often make a handful of costly mistakes. Knowing these in advance can save you thousands of dollars and months of frustration.
- Stopping payments without formal cancellation: This triggers default, not cancellation, and damages your credit.
- Relying only on verbal agreements: Everything must be in writing. A phone promise means nothing.
- Missing the rescission window: Act within three business days if you just signed.
- Not reading the buyout formula: Assume nothing. Get the exact number before you agree.
- Ignoring the transfer option when selling: This is often the cleanest and cheapest exit path.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I cancel my Vivint Solar contract for free?
Yes, but only within the three-day rescission window. After that, cancellation fees apply. If there was misrepresentation during the sales process, dispute-based cancellation may allow you to exit without paying full termination fees.
2. What are the Vivint Solar contract termination fees?
Fees vary by contract and timing. Early termination typically costs between $8,000 and $25,000 or more, depending on how many years remain on the lease. Your contract should specify the exact formula used to calculate this amount.
3. Can I cancel the Vivint Solar contract after installation?
Yes. Your options after installation include paying the buyout amount, transferring the lease to a new homeowner, or pursuing a dispute-based cancellation if the company breached the agreement or misrepresented the terms.
4. How to complete the Vivint Solar contract cancellation when selling my home?
You can transfer the lease to a qualified buyer or pay the buyout amount at closing. If the buyer is unwilling or unable to assume the lease, you will need to handle the buyout before the sale completes.
5. What legal options do I have to terminate the Vivint Solar contract?
If standard cancellation is not possible or affordable, you can file a complaint with your state attorney general, pursue dispute resolution based on misrepresentation, or work with a solar contract attorney to negotiate or litigate the exit. Solar Equity Solutions specializes in exactly this type of case.
Final Thoughts: You Have Options
Solar Equity Solutions is an attorney-led, BBB-accredited firm that has helped over 5,000 homeowners resolve solar contract disputes nationwide.
Our process is clear, jargon-free, and built around results. We offer a straightforward three-step process: contract review, dispute strategy, and resolution, backed by a transparent refund policy so you know exactly what you are committing to before we begin.
If you are trying to get rid of Vivint Solar and do not know where to start, reach out to Solar Equity Solutions today for a no-obligation contract review.