Solar contract guide
Why did my solar loan payment go up?
Many solar loans are built to recalculate around month 18 or 19. If a tax credit wasn't paid toward the balance by then, the payment often jumps.
Check my loan freeMonth
1
Starting payment
After recalculation
Payments look fine for the first year and a half...
Illustration. Not based on a specific loan.
Why the first payment was so low
Your loan balance
minus
A tax credit you were expected to pay in
=
The smaller balance your first payment was based on
If that money never went toward the loan, the lender recalculates using the full balance. Some homeowners say they were never told this at the kitchen table, or were told the credit was a sure thing.
What to look for in your loan
- The section on prepayment or payment adjustment. Look for a month number, often 18 or 19.
- Two payment amounts: the starting payment and the payment if no prepayment is made.
- Compare both to what the salesperson told you.
- If nobody said your payment could go up, write that down. It matters.
Sound familiar? Tap any that apply.
Tap anything that sounds like your situation.
Start the free check
See what your loan really says
Answer 5 quick questions and get a free contract review. No obligation, and no loan paperwork needed to start.
Sources
- EnergySage: Solar loan re-amortization, what you need to know
- Palmetto: Why solar loans reamortize in month 19
- CFPB: Consumer advisory on solar loans (2024)
Updated October 13, 2026. General information, not legal advice.