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Solar Owner Help In Washington

In Washington, the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) registers construction contractors, licenses electrical contractors, and runs a Homeowner Recovery Fund. Purelight Power merged with Washington based Solgen Power before Purelight shut down, so former customers can also see Help For Purelight Power And Solgen Customers.

Who Can Do Solar Electrical Work

Washington Administrative Code 296-46B-690, the state electrical rule for solar photovoltaic systems, says all electrical work needed to complete the installation, including wiring and terminations, must be done by the entity authorized to do the electrical work, which it describes as the owner or an appropriate electrical contractor. It says purely mechanical support structure that is not part of a bonding or grounding path may be done by the owner, a registered general contractor, or a licensed electrical contractor without an electrical permit. For manufactured and mobile homes, the L&I publication on solar panels for manufactured and mobile homes adds that an L&I alteration permit is required and that electrical installations must be performed by a licensed electrical contractor.

How To Check A Contractor

The L&I hiring a contractor page says its Verify a Contractor tool shows whether a contractor has an active license, is bonded and insured, keeps a safe job site, and has prior lawsuits or license violations. The L&I problems with a contractor page lists a contractor information line at 1-800-647-0982, and says that for contracts over $1,000, state law requires the contractor to have you sign a disclosure statement about your rights.

If The Company Is Gone

The same problems page says that if a contractor left a job unfinished or did not meet the contract, you can file suit against its bond, with a separate process for electrical contractors. If the contractor's negligence damaged property, it says the damage may be covered by the contractor's liability policy, and that you contact the insurer directly. The page says you can find a registered contractor's insurance policy, including its coverage amount, on the Verify tool.

Homeowner Recovery Fund

As we read it in October 2026, the Homeowner Recovery Fund page says you must own and occupy the home (a single family home or a building with four or fewer units, not a condominium), the contractor must have been registered with L&I, and you must get a final judgment in superior court. Its note reads "The judgment must be ordered after July 1, 2026." We quote that note as the agency wrote it, so ask L&I how it applies to your case. You then apply within 90 days after the court case ends. It says successful applicants can receive up to $25,000, depending on available funds, that applicants go on a waitlist if the fund runs short, and that review takes about 14 business days. Its contact line is 360-902-5699.

Net Metering Status

RCW 80.60.030 says excess generation is credited on the next bill, and that on March 31 of each year any remaining unused credits from the previous year are granted to the utility without compensation to the customer. RCW 80.60.020 says utilities must offer net metering until the earlier of June 30, 2029 or the date net metered capacity reaches four percent of the utility's 1996 peak demand, after which a utility may move new customers to a different tariff. It also says a utility must keep crediting a customer who started net metering before that point as long as the customer's existing interconnection agreement remains valid. Before a major repair, inverter swap, or added panels, ask your utility whether the work affects that agreement.

Steps For Any Orphaned System

1. Gather your contract, permit, equipment list, warranty papers, and any loan or lease documents.
2. Call each equipment maker with your serial numbers. EnergySage guide to installer bankruptcy (updated January 7, 2026) says manufacturer warranties remain valid regardless of installer status, and that the manufacturer can often point you to installers certified on its equipment. It also quotes a service coordinator warning that if an installer is not certified on your equipment, those warranties could be determined to be void, so ask the manufacturer before you hire.
3. If you lease or have a power purchase agreement, contact the company that owns the system before hiring anyone. See Solar Lease Or PPA When The Company Is Gone.
4. Check any new company's license with the agency above before you sign, and get the scope and price in writing.

Agency rules, rates, and contact details change. Treat the dates on the sources here as a snapshot and confirm on the agency's own site.

If you want a local service company to look at your system, describe it in the system check form. We name the one company before anyone contacts you.

Related: Installer Went Out Of Business, Solar Warranty Help, Solar System Not Producing.