Solar Fraud Attorney Cost: Fees and What to Expect

For homeowners considering legal action after a solar scam, uncertainty about attorney fees can make an already difficult financial situation feel even more complicated. Understanding solar fraud attorney costs upfront can help you decide whether pursuing legal action makes financial sense.

If you suspect you were scammed by a solar company and are looking for clear answers about the typical cost of a solar lawyer, this article is for you. We'll explain how contingency fees, flat fees, and free consultations typically work so you know what to expect before contacting an attorney.

Solar Panel Scams Worth Calling a Lawyer About

Not every disappointing solar purchase requires legal action. However, certain solar panel scams involve more than poor customer service or lower-than-expected performance.

Common signs of potential solar panel fraud include:

• Misrepresented savings or production: You were given specific savings or energy-production figures that significantly influenced your decision, but the system or financial reality does not match what was represented.
• Forged or altered signatures: Your name appears on a contract, financing application, or other document you did not sign or authorize, or paperwork appears to have been changed after signing.
• Undisclosed liens or UCC filings: You discover a lien or UCC filing connected to the solar transaction that was not adequately explained before you entered the agreement.
• Bait-and-switch equipment: The company promised a particular system size, panel type, or equipment but installed something materially different without your informed agreement.
• Deceptive door-to-door sales: A salesperson used false claims or high-pressure tactics to push you into signing before you had a reasonable opportunity to understand the transaction.
• Financing that doesn't match the sales pitch: Your loan payment, rate structure, fees, or payment schedule differs substantially from what the salesperson represented.

If you believe you were misled by a solar company that misrepresented the deal or obtained your agreement without proper authorization, it may be worth having an attorney review what happened. Preserving the contract, sales communications, and financing documents can help them determine whether your situation may warrant legal action.

Common Solar Fraud Attorney Fees & Payment Structures

There is no universal solar fraud attorney cost. The amount and payment structure depend on the law firm, complexity of the dispute, work required, and whether the homeowner is seeking monetary compensation or another remedy. Before you try to sue a solar company, ask the attorney exactly how fees and separate case expenses will be calculated.

These are the most common solar fraud attorney fees and payment structures:

Contingency Fee Arrangements

Under a contingency arrangement, the attorney receives an agreed percentage of the client's recovery rather than charging the client for legal work by the hour. The American Bar Association notes that contingency fees are often approximately one-third to 40% of the recovery, although the actual percentage varies.

For example, if a homeowner recovered $30,000 and the written agreement specified a one-third attorney fee, approximately $10,000 would represent the attorney fee. Case expenses may be handled separately, so homeowners should review how those costs are deducted.

Hourly Retainer

With hourly billing, the homeowner pays for the time the attorney spends working on the case. A retainer may be required upfront and then applied against future legal work.

For example, an attorney might spend time reviewing the solar agreement, drafting correspondence, negotiating with the lender, and preparing court filings. The total fee would increase as additional time is required of the attorney. There is no reliable national solar-fraud-specific hourly average, so the firm should provide its rate before representation begins

Flat Fee Billing

A flat fee charges a predetermined amount for a defined scope of work rather than billing by the hour. For example, a firm might quote one amount for reviewing a solar agreement and preparing a demand letter. More extensive negotiations or litigation may fall outside that original fee.

Because solar fraud attorney fees vary so much, ask whether the quoted price includes litigation, filing fees, expert costs, and other potential expenses. Homeowners can also compare the best solar exit lawyers to get a broader sense of how different solar-focused law firms structure their services and pricing.

If you're still deciding whether the potential expense is justified, our guide on when you should hire a solar fraud lawyer can help you evaluate when legal representation may make sense.

Working with Covar Law Group: Solar Fraud Attorney Costs By Payment Model Covar

At Covar Law Group, solar fraud attorney costs depend in part on how the firm evaluates the strength and likely path of a case. Covar Law Group has two payment structures: a traditional retainer with ongoing monthly billing and a One Time Flat Fee Program for cases the firm considers particularly strong based on the available evidence.

Monthly Retainer Model

At Covar, cases with evidence that is more subjective, and therefore may be more likely to proceed through trial, may be handled using a traditional retainer model. These cases can require a $10,000–$15,000 initial retainer, followed by approximately $3,500–$6,000 per month in hourly fees and expenses. Some cases proceeding to trial under this model can potentially take two to three years.

These figures are not a quote for every case. The actual cost and expected timeline depend on the circumstances and the representation agreement.

One Time Flat Fee Program

Covar also offers a One Time Flat Fee Program for cases it evaluates as “extremely winnable.” Clients accepted under this model make one flat-fee retainer payment and are not billed additional hourly attorney fees by Covar, regardless of how many hours the firm spends on the case. Additional attorney costs and fees are instead sought from the opposing party as part of a settlement.

The average settlement timeframe for these cases was 12.7 months in 2024, although individual cases can take more or less time. Even if a case appears very winnable, the damages homeowners can recover from solar fraud also vary.

Qualification for this program is case-specific, which is where a free solar fraud consultation becomes important.

Request a Free Solar Fraud Case Review

Uncertainty about solar fraud attorney costs shouldn't prevent you from finding out whether pursuing your case makes financial sense. A free case review gives you an opportunity to discuss your circumstances, understand which fee structure you may qualify for, and get clearer information about potential costs before making a commitment.

Find out what your case actually qualifies for — request a free solar fraud case review with Covar Law Group and get a straight answer on cost before you decide anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do solar fraud attorneys work on contingency?

Some solar fraud attorneys work on contingency, but fee structures vary by firm and case. Under a contingency arrangement, attorney fees are generally tied to a successful recovery rather than billed hourly.

Is the initial consultation really free?

Yes, when a firm offers a free solar fraud consultation, there should be no attorney fee for that initial case review. At Covar Law Group, the consultation is designed to evaluate your circumstances and discuss potential options without obligating you to hire the firm or proceed with legal action.

What's the difference between a flat fee and a retainer?

A flat fee is a predetermined amount charged for an agreed scope of legal representation. A retainer typically involves depositing money with the law firm, which then bills against that amount as legal work is performed.

Will I owe anything if my case doesn't result in a recovery?

If your case doesn’t result in a recovery, what you will owe depends on your attorney's payment model and representation agreement. A contingency arrangement may make attorney fees dependent on recovery, while hourly or flat-fee arrangements operate differently. Do not assume “no recovery” automatically means “no cost.”

How long does a solar fraud case typically take?

There is no universal timeline for a solar fraud case. At Covar, the One Time Flat Fee Program cases settled in an average of 12.7 months in 2024, while cases requiring trial may take two to three years. Your timeline will depend on the facts and how the dispute progresses.

What documents do I need for a solar fraud case?

For a solar fraud case, start by gathering your solar contract, financing agreement, payment history, utility bills, sales proposal, and communications with the salesperson or installer. Evidence of promised savings, tax credits, financing terms, or unauthorized signatures can also be important. Providing these records during a free solar fraud case review can help an attorney evaluate your situation.