Bill · H.R. 4489· House(119-HR-4489)
Sunshine on Solar Lending Act
- Introduced
- 7/17/2025
- Last activity
- 7/17/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Sponsored by
- Joaquin Castro
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Sunshine on Solar Lending Act aims to amend the Truth in Lending Act regarding solar financing. It requires creditors to disclose certain dealer fees that are often not clearly shown to consumers. The bill seeks to ensure transparency regarding the true cost of credit for solar energy systems, including battery storage and related infrastructure. It mandates specific written disclosures about fees and third parties involved in the transaction. Additionally, it prohibits terms that require arbitration to resolve disputes.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+5
The bill enhances consumer protection by requiring clear disclosures of dealer fees in solar financing.
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?+4
The bill improves consumer due process by prohibiting mandatory arbitration clauses in solar financing.
Would middle-income households be better off under this?+3
Increased transparency on financing costs benefits middle-class homeowners investing in solar.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Transparency: The bill requires creditors to clearly and conspicuously disclose any fees charged to third parties or fees payable by the consumer related to the solar transaction (Section 3, subsection (g)(1)). This addresses findings that dealer fees are often not clearly disclosed, which can lead to inflated financing costs (Section 2).
-
Better Price Comparisons: Consumers will receive a comparison between the amount financed and the total cash price for products, such as infrastructure and labor, and services, such as maintenance and repair (Section 3, subsection (g)(1)(D)).
-
Physical Documentation: For transactions negotiated in person, creditors or third parties must provide a paper copy of the required disclosures (Section 3, subsection (g)(2)).
-
Protection in Disputes: The Act prohibits solar financing transactions from including terms that require arbitration or nonjudicial procedures to settle claims or controversies (Section 3, subsection (g)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Negative Impacts Identified: The provided text does not list any specific provisions that would result in negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Due Process+4Increases Federal Power+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Middle Class Households+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Increases Renewable Energy Investment+3
- 11/17/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/17/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Andrea SalinasDemocrat · Oregon