COO Josie Garcia Exposes the Reality of Solar PPAs in the Daily Scanner

Clean energy should provide financial relief, not financial stress. Yet, thousands of American homeowners who went solar hoping to lower their bills have found themselves trapped in predatory contracts.

In a recent feature article by Michael Fernandez for the Daily Scanner, our very own Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Client Services, Josie Garcia, breaks down why so many solar promises fail to materialize—and it has nothing to do with the technology itself.

The article, titled “Purchasing Solar Panels? Pay Close Attention to the Fine Print In Power Purchase Agreements,” highlights the critical work Solar Equity Solutions does every day to protect consumers from deceptive solar agreements.

“Thousands of homeowners were promised savings, lower bills, and easy financing from solar companies only to end up with rising costs, hidden fees, and contracts that feel impossible to escape,” Josie explains in the piece.

Two Major Contract Red Flags Every Homeowner Must Know

The feature explores how misleading sales reps often gloss over the actual terms of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and leases. Josie points out two massive financial pitfalls hidden deep in the fine print:

1. The Trap of the “Escalator Clause”

Many homeowners sign PPAs believing they are locking in a low, fixed electricity rate. However, if the contract contains an escalator clause, that rate automatically climbs by 1% to 3% every single year.

• The Reality: A monthly payment that starts at a reasonable $130 with a 2.9% annual escalator will balloon to over $260 per month by the end of a 25-year contract—often costing far more than traditional grid utility rates.

2. Hidden Liens That Block Home Sales

If you lease your panels or use certain financing structures, the solar company may quietly file a UCC-1 fixture filing (a type of lien) against your property to secure their equipment.

• The Reality: Most homeowners have no idea this lien exists until they try to sell their house. Title companies require all liens to be cleared before closing, turning a supposed home upgrade into a massive liability that can stall or ruin a home sale.

Read the Full Article

At Solar Equity Solutions, our mission is to stand by homeowners who were promised a cleaner, cheaper future but ended up with contracts that drain their finances. We encourage anyone considering a transition to clean energy—or anyone currently feeling trapped by an existing contract—to read Josie’s full expert breakdown.

👉 Read the Full Feature on the Daily Scanner Website

If you are currently reviewing a solar contract, facing a UCC-1 lien issue, or need an objective, expert eye to look over a PPA before you sign, the team at Solar Equity Solutions is here to give you the transparent support and legal advocacy you deserve. Contact us today.