Arizona solar contracts must explain costs and warn about roof repairs

A licensed contractor installing a solar energy device on a roof must assess whether the roof can support it and recommend a roofing inspection. This applies to licensed contractors installing solar energy devices on roofs. The rule does not apply to structures used mainly for shade, including shade for vehicles or livestock. The assessment and recommendation are required before the first installation. By installing, the contractor accepts the roof surface for that installation.

Distributed energy system agreements must explain maintenance costs and, when they provide a savings estimate, its basis. This applies to agreements and sales materials for distributed energy systems when they include the specified maintenance or savings information. The savings estimate’s basis must include applicable utility rates, any assumed future rate increases, estimated system output, and the status of compensation for exported energy. The agreement must provide the total estimated costs when it is signed. Sales materials that state or suggest savings must support the calculation.

Recurring payments under a distributed energy system lease may not start until the system has utility permission to operate and is energized and connected to the grid by the lessor. This applies to recurring payments under a distributed energy system lease. The payment restriction lasts until both utility permission and the required operation and grid connection are in place.

Before a residential solar purchase or lease contract, a licensed contractor must get the customer’s written acknowledgment about possible roof repairs or replacement. This applies before a contract to buy or lease a residential solar energy system. The acknowledgment must explain that later roof work not caused by the contractor’s initial installation or a legal violation may leave the customer responsible for removal and reinstallation costs. It must also say that removal may affect warranties or limit the original contractor’s responsibility. The contractor must obtain the acknowledgment before entering the purchase or lease contract.