Canceling a Sunrun contract is possible, but the path depends on where you are in the process. If you signed recently, you may have a short rescission window to cancel penalty-free. If you’re years into a 20- or 25-year agreement, your options narrow to buying out the contract, transferring it to a new homeowner, or negotiating directly with Sunrun. Here’s how each option works and what it will cost you.
Cancel During the Rescission Period
Every Sunrun contract includes a brief cooling-off period after signing, typically three to seven days depending on your state’s consumer protection laws. During this window, you can cancel the agreement without penalty and owe nothing. The clock starts on the day you sign, not the day equipment is installed.
To cancel during this period, send written notice to Sunrun. Check your contract for the exact cancellation instructions, which usually include a mailing address or email. Keep a copy of your cancellation letter and send it by certified mail or another method that gives you proof of the date it was received. If you’re within this window, act immediately. Once it closes, your options become more complicated and more expensive.
Cancel Before Installation
If you’ve signed your contract but panels haven’t been installed yet, you have more leverage than someone with a fully operating system on their roof. Sunrun may allow cancellation at this stage, though the company could attempt to charge for costs already incurred, such as permitting, engineering work, or equipment that’s been ordered. Review your agreement for any early termination language that applies before installation is complete.
Call Sunrun’s customer service line and request cancellation in writing. Follow up with a formal letter or email so you have documentation. If the company pushes back, check whether your state has additional consumer protection rules around home improvement or solar contracts that might give you grounds to cancel without fees.
Buy Out the Remaining Contract
Once your system is installed and the rescission period has passed, the most straightforward way to end a Sunrun lease or power purchase agreement (PPA) is to purchase the system outright. Your contract will include a buyout schedule or a formula for calculating the purchase price at various points during the term. This price is often based on the fair market value of the system or a predetermined amount written into the agreement.
Contact Sunrun and request a current buyout quote. Buyout prices on leases and PPAs can range from several thousand dollars to $20,000 or more, depending on the system size, how far into the contract you are, and the specific terms you agreed to. Early in a 20- or 25-year agreement, the buyout will be significantly higher than it would be near the end of the term. Once you buy the system, you own it, the monthly payments stop, and you’re responsible for any future maintenance or repairs.
Transfer the Contract When Selling Your Home
If you’re trying to cancel because you’re selling your house, transferring the agreement to the buyer is usually the simplest solution. Sunrun allows lease and PPA transfers, and the process works like this:
- Start the transfer online. Visit Sunrun’s service transfer portal to initiate the process and move your file through their system.
- Share the agreement with the buyer. The buyer should review the full solar agreement so they understand the monthly payment, term length, and what’s covered.
- Submit a Service Transfer Form. You and the buyer provide contact information and details about the home purchase.
- Buyer applies for credit approval. Sunrun runs a soft credit inquiry on the buyer, which won’t affect their credit score. Prepaid contracts skip this step since the balance is already covered.
- Send closing documentation. After the sale closes, provide Sunrun with proof such as your closing paperwork or deed.
If the buyer doesn’t qualify for or refuses the transfer, you may need to buy out the contract before closing. Some sellers negotiate this cost into the sale price of the home. Be aware that a solar lease can complicate a home sale, so start the transfer process early in your listing timeline.
Use the Performance Guarantee as Leverage
Sunrun guarantees that your system will produce at least 90% of its estimated output over the life of the agreement. If it falls below that threshold, Sunrun owes you the difference in value. This guarantee alone won’t cancel your contract, but consistent underperformance gives you a stronger position when negotiating.
If your system has been underperforming, document everything. Pull your production data from Sunrun’s monitoring app and compare it against the estimates in your original agreement. If the shortfall is significant and Sunrun hasn’t resolved the issue after repeated service requests, you can use this as a basis for requesting a contract modification or termination. Filing a complaint with your state’s attorney general office or public utilities commission can also move negotiations forward if Sunrun is unresponsive.
Negotiate Directly With Sunrun
If a full buyout is too expensive and you don’t have grounds for a performance-related complaint, your remaining option is direct negotiation. Call Sunrun and explain your situation clearly. Some customers have successfully negotiated reduced buyout prices, contract modifications, or early terminations by being persistent and escalating through customer service tiers.
Put every request in writing and keep records of all communication. If phone calls don’t produce results, send a formal dispute letter via certified mail to Sunrun’s corporate office. Reference the specific contract sections that support your position. If you believe Sunrun misrepresented the agreement during the sales process (overstated savings, understated costs, or made promises not reflected in the contract), mention this explicitly, as misrepresentation claims carry legal weight.
File a Complaint if Sunrun Won’t Cooperate
When direct negotiation stalls, external pressure can help. You can file complaints with several agencies:
- Your state attorney general’s consumer protection division. This is often the most effective route for resolving disputes with solar companies.
- The Better Business Bureau. Sunrun typically responds to BBB complaints, and the process creates a formal record of your dispute.
- Your state’s public utilities commission or energy regulatory body. Some states regulate solar lease agreements, and the relevant agency may be able to intervene.
- The Federal Trade Commission. If you believe the sales process involved deception or fraud, an FTC complaint adds to the regulatory record.
Filing complaints won’t automatically cancel your contract, but companies often become more willing to negotiate once a regulatory agency is involved. Many customers report faster responses and better settlement offers after filing with their state attorney general.
What to Check in Your Contract
Before taking any of these steps, read your contract carefully. Look for these specific sections:
- Early termination clause. Some agreements include a formula for calculating an early termination fee. This may be different from (and lower than) the full buyout price.
- Buyout schedule. Many contracts list specific buyout prices at set intervals, such as every five years.
- Arbitration clause. If your contract requires binding arbitration for disputes, that limits your ability to pursue the matter in court.
- Auto-renewal terms. Sunrun contracts sometimes auto-renew at the end of the initial term. Note the deadline for opting out of renewal so you don’t accidentally extend the agreement.
Your contract is the single most important document in this process. Every option available to you, from the buyout price to the cancellation window, is defined there. If you no longer have your copy, request one from Sunrun in writing.