On March 5, 2026, Gov. Tina Kotek signed legislation to better protect Oregonians considering solar from deceptive sales practices and to ensure they have access to reputable information to make informed decisions. Effective June 5, 2026, House Bill (HB) 4029 is Oregon’s first solar electric system consumer protection law.
This law establishes statewide consumer protection requirements for the sale of residential solar energy systems and strengthens licensing requirements for solar contractors and installers, many of which align with Energy Trust’s existing requirements for its network of trade ally contractors. The state law requires contractors and installers to provide specific disclosures to homeowners in plain language before selling or leasing a system, including fully outlining the costs and financing terms of installation. It also defines contract and warranty requirements and strengthens remedies for solar installation issues.
The law addresses some of the customer concerns Energy Trust of Oregon and others have heard over the years related to solar, including aggressive door-to-door sales tactics, misleading expectations of system generation and a lack of clarity around fees and service and maintenance costs.
Energy Trust holds solar trade ally contractors to a high standard of customer service as well as system performance and longevity. With the passage of this law, Energy Trust will be providing templates and information to contractors and is exploring additional ways to support them with compliance.
While a significant step to ensuring improved business practices and solar purchasing experiences, the law does not cover all areas of customer concern. For example, it does not address situations where companies do not respond to inquiries, or cases involving partially installed or non-operational systems from businesses that have gone bankrupt. For information on how to protect yourself when shopping for solar, check out Energy Trust’s solar consumer guide and this post on smart solar shopping.
Read more about HB 4029 on the Oregon State Legislature website.