Summary: If you’ve signed a solar contract in Nevada and are having second thoughts, you might have more options than you think. The state’s consumer protection laws include specific cancellation rights, but the timing requirements are stricter than most homeowners realize.

Key Takeaways

• Nevada law grants homeowners three business days to cancel most solar contracts without penalty or explanation needed
• Saturday counts as a business day for cancellation purposes, but Sundays and federal holidays do not
• Solar companies must provide written cancellation procedures and email addresses on contract cover pages under Nevada’s SB293
• Federal FTC rules provide additional protection for certain in-home solar sales
• Understanding these legal safeguards helps protect against high-pressure sales tactics and potentially unfavorable agreements

Solar contracts represent major financial commitments that can span decades. When high-pressure sales tactics leave homeowners with second thoughts, Nevada’s consumer protection laws provide needed safeguards. These legal protections exist specifically to give homeowners time to make informed decisions without sales pressure.

Nevada Law Grants Three Business Days to Cancel Most Solar Contracts

Nevada’s consumer protection statutes establish clear cancellation rights for solar contracts. Homeowners can rescind solar purchase agreements, lease contracts, power purchase agreements (PPAs), and distributed generation system contracts within three business days of signing. This right applies regardless of where the contract was signed or how the sale occurred.

The three-day cancellation period provides a cooling-off window. Solar salespeople often use urgency tactics, claiming special deals expire immediately or pushing for quick signatures on complex 20-year agreements. Nevada law recognizes these pressures and grants homeowners time for careful consideration.

M&J Trusted Marketing’s consumer protection guide helps Nevada homeowners identify warning signs and understand contract terms before making solar investment decisions.

The cancellation right exists without requiring homeowners to justify. Whether concerns involve pricing, contract terms, or simply needing more time to research options, Nevada law protects the right to cancel within the specified timeframe.

How Nevada’s Three-Day Cancellation Window Works

Understanding the mechanics of Nevada’s cancellation process ensures homeowners can effectively exercise their rights. The law establishes specific procedures and timing requirements that must be followed precisely.

1. Saturday Counts as a Business Day Unless It Falls on a Holiday

Nevada’s business day calculation differs from some other states. According to NRS 598.150, ‘Business day’ means any calendar day except Sunday, or the following business holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday, Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Nevada Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The three-day period begins the day after contract signing.

If homeowners sign on Monday, they have until Thursday midnight to cancel. Signing on Friday provides until Wednesday midnight (assuming Monday isn’t a federal holiday). This timing precision matters because missing the deadline eliminates the statutory cancellation right.

2. Send Written Notice Using the Method Required by Law

Nevada law requires a written cancellation notice, which can be delivered via email or mail. Email provides the fastest delivery method and creates immediate documentation. Solar companies must provide email addresses specifically for rescission notices on contract cover pages.

The cancellation notice should include the homeowner’s full name and address, contract date and number, a clear statement exercising the right to cancel, notice date, and signature for mailed notices or typed name for emails.

3. Use the Contract’s Designated Cancellation Address

Solar contracts must specify where cancellation notices should be sent. Nevada’s SB293 requires this information on the contract’s cover page in at least 16-point font, ensuring homeowners know exactly where to direct their cancellation notice. Using the wrong address could potentially invalidate the cancellation attempt.

Keep documentation of all cancellation communications. Save copies of sent notices, track delivery confirmation for mailed notices, and maintain records of company responses. This documentation proves compliance with legal requirements if disputes arise later.

Federal Protection Also Covers Home Solar Sales

Federal regulations provide additional consumer protections that work alongside Nevada state law. These federal rules create overlapping safeguards for certain solar sales situations.

FTC Cooling-Off Rule Applies to Solar Sales Over $25

The Federal Trade Commission’s Cooling-Off Rule grants three days to cancel purchases over $25 made at homes, workplaces, or temporary locations. This federal rule applies to door-to-door solar sales, presentations at temporary locations like hotels or convention centers, home shows where customers invite salespeople, and any in-home sales presentations customers requested.

The FTC rule requires sellers to inform homeowners about cancellation rights and provide cancellation forms with instructions. Solar companies violating this federal requirement face FTC enforcement action separate from any state penalties.

How Federal and State Laws Work Together

Nevada’s SB293 applies broadly to solar contracts, while the federal FTC rule applies specifically to location-based sales situations. Homeowners benefit from whichever law provides stronger protection in their specific circumstances.

When both laws apply, homeowners can choose the most favorable cancellation procedure. Federal law requires companies to provide cancellation forms, while Nevada law allows email cancellation. This flexibility helps ensure successful contract cancellation regardless of the company’s cooperation.

Nevada’s SB293 Requires Recording and Clear Contract Terms

Senate Bill 293, effective January 1, 2024, strengthened Nevada’s solar consumer protections by introducing specific requirements for contract transparency and customer verification. This legislation addresses problems identified by state regulators and consumer advocates.

Audio Recording Required Within 48 Hours of Signing

SB293 mandates solar companies make audio recordings within 48 hours of contract execution. These recordings must confirm customer identity, communicate contract terms, and verify customer understanding of key provisions, including cancellation rights.

Companies must maintain these recordings for at least four years. The recordings serve as evidence that customers received proper disclosure of contract terms and understood their legal rights. Violations of recording requirements can void contracts regardless of other circumstances.

Contract Cover Pages Must Disclose Cancellation Rights

Nevada law requires specific information on solar contract cover pages in at least 16-point font. This includes clear statements about three-day cancellation rights, designated email addresses for sending rescission notices, notice about required recorded communications, estimated installation timelines, total system costs and monthly payment amounts, warranty information, and details about potential payment increases.

The cover page requirements ensure critical information isn’t buried in lengthy contract documents. Homeowners can quickly identify key terms and cancellation procedures without searching through complex legal language.

What Happens After You Cancel Your Solar Contract

Nevada law establishes clear obligations for both homeowners and solar companies following contract cancellation. Understanding these requirements prevents confusion and ensures proper contract termination.

1. Company Must Return Your Money Promptly

Solar companies must return all payments within 10 days of receiving a valid cancellation notice. This includes deposits, down payments, and any other money collected from customers. Companies cannot deduct fees or charges from refunded amounts.

Late refunds violate Nevada law and provide grounds for additional consumer protection complaints. The Nevada State Contractors Board can impose penalties on companies failing to make timely refunds to cancelled customers.

2. Equipment Must Be Retrieved by the Company

Companies have 20 days to collect any equipment or materials delivered to customer properties. Customers must make equipment available for pickup in the same condition received, but companies bear responsibility for retrieval costs and logistics.

If customers agree to return equipment by shipping, companies must reimburse reasonable shipping costs. This prevents companies from leaving equipment as the customer’s responsibility while avoiding their pickup obligations.

When Solar Companies Ignore Your Cancellation Notice

Some solar companies attempt to ignore cancellation notices or claim they don’t apply. Nevada provides multiple enforcement mechanisms for homeowners facing uncooperative companies.

File Complaints with the Nevada State Contractors Board

The Nevada State Contractors Board receives a high volume of solar-related complaints from Nevada homeowners, with approximately one-third of all complaints being solar-related. The NSCB launched a dedicated Solar Investigations Unit to address complaint volumes involving misleading sales tactics and unfulfilled promises.

File complaints at nvcontractorsboard.com or email solar@nscb.state.nv.us. You can also call Northern Nevada: (775) 684-6100, or Southern Nevada: (702) 486-2600. The NSCB can impose significant penalties on violating companies. On June 12, 2024, the board fined Solarize LLC $460,000 and revoked its license, with company leaders Frances Kim Le, Michael Sean Hogan, and Hamid Moradi barred from working as contractors in Nevada.

Additional Resources for Consumer Protection

Multiple agencies assist with solar contract disputes. The Nevada Attorney General Consumer Protection Division handles broader consumer fraud cases, while the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada addresses utility-related solar issues. Federal resources include the Federal Trade Commission and Better Business Bureau.

Document all communications with these agencies. Complaint patterns help regulators identify problem companies and protect future customers from similar issues.

Act Fast—Your Three-Day Window Starts the Day After Signing

Time moves quickly once homeowners decide to cancel solar contracts. The three-day period provides limited time for action, making an immediate response necessary when cancellation becomes required.

Check contract signing dates immediately and calculate remaining business days carefully. Prepare cancellation notices promptly and send them via email for the fastest delivery. Follow up with certified mail for additional documentation if time permits.

Don’t wait for company acknowledgment before taking action. Some companies deliberately delay responses, hoping to run out the clock on cancellation deadlines. Send notices immediately and document all delivery attempts to preserve legal rights.

Nevada’s consumer protection laws work when homeowners understand and exercise them promptly. The three-day cancellation right protects against high-pressure sales tactics and gives homeowners control over major financial decisions affecting their homes and budgets for decades to come.

For guidance on navigating Nevada’s solar market safely, M&J Trusted Marketing provides consumer protection resources and marketing insights to help homeowners make informed solar investment decisions.

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