Common Complaints
I Can't Sell or Refinance Because of a Solar Lien
· 5 min read
Part of the complete guide: Failed Solar in Florida: The Complete Homeowner's Guide →
You finally went to sell or refinance, and the title search turned up a 'solar lien' you didn't know was there. Now the closing is stalled. This is increasingly common in Florida, and there are two different things it usually is.
UCC-1 fixture filing vs. a PACE assessment
- A UCC-1 fixture filing: when you financed the panels with a loan, the lender often filed a UCC-1 on the equipment. It shows up in a title search and buyers' lenders usually want it resolved before closing.
- A PACE assessment: if you used PACE or Ygrene, the balance is a lien tied to your property taxes that generally has to be paid off at sale — often ahead of your mortgage.
Many homeowners were told the financing would 'just transfer' to the buyer. In practice, most buyers' lenders won't allow that — which is exactly why your sale is stuck.
What to do
- Identify exactly what the lien is — a UCC-1 from a lender, or a PACE tax assessment.
- Get the payoff figure (and check for prepayment penalties).
- If the financing was obtained by fraud or the system never worked, that may be grounds to dispute the payoff — talk to an attorney before you simply pay it to close.
We help you identify the lien, document how the system was sold, and connect you with an attorney before you pay to clear it.
Get a Free Project ReviewGeneral information, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is a UCC-1 fixture filing on solar panels?
It's a financing statement a solar lender files to secure its interest in the panels. It appears in a title search and typically must be resolved before a buyer's lender will close on your home.
Does the solar loan transfer to the buyer when I sell?
Usually not. Despite what many homeowners were told, most buyers' mortgage lenders require the solar loan's UCC filing or a PACE assessment to be paid off at closing rather than transferred.
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