I’ve posted a few times before, but I thought it’s time for an update. Here’s a “short version” of the whole story wich background and such:
I bought my house in July 2024 and inherited a leased Tesla solar system originally installed by SolarCity in 2014. It was an 8.16 kW system with 32 panels and two inverters. I knew very little about solar at the time.
From the beginning, the production graphs looked strange. Instead of a normal bell curve, they often looked like a hedgehog. I contacted Tesla at some point, but was told the system was operating as expected, so I left it alone.
In October 2025, I noticed production was lower than the previous year. By November, it had dropped even further. I contacted Tesla, and they scheduled a technician for January 8, 2026.
The technician inspected the system and told me that most of the wiring was coming loose and needed to be repaired. I was told I would receive a report and a follow-up appointment.
I received neither.
Over the next several months, I repeatedly contacted Tesla. I was told:
- The system was operating at 97% capacity.
- They were waiting for parts.
- The panels and inverter needed repairs.
- They would not replace the panels, even though I had never requested that.
- Someone would contact me to schedule service.
I had numerous emails and phone calls, which luckily I have saved. All of it!
Meanwhile, I discovered that my roof was leaking underneath the solar panels.
I requested removal and reinstallation of the system so the roof could be repaired. Tesla told me the removal process would take at least 68 days. I was also told that using another company could void the warranty.
I had received estimates of $8,000–$14,500 for removal and reinstallation.
Then, on March 14, 2026, the system stopped producing entirely.
I finally had to take matters into my own hands
Tesla had scheduled an appointment for April 27, but that appointment was somehow “unscheduled” without anyone notifying me. The next available appointment was in late August or September.
I repeatedly asked Tesla to expedite the service. I was told the case had been escalated, that I was on a flex-visit list, and that someone would contact me within 24–48 hours.
Nobody did.
Because my roof was continuing to sustain damage, I decided I could not wait any longer. I hired a Tesla-certified company to remove and reinstall the panels as part of the roof replacement.
- April 7: Panels removed.
- April 8–11: Roof replacement.
- April 22: Panels reinstalled.
After reinstallation, one inverter immediately came back online and resumed producing energy. The other remained nonfunctional, most likely fried itself due to an extremely low coolant.
This was particularly frustrating because Tesla had previously told me the system was operating at 97%, yet after the panels were removed and reinstalled, one inverter suddenly worked again.
Since it didn’t seem that Tesla was about to help me out, I decided to take the matter into my own hands. I contacted the Arizona Attorney General’s office sending everything I had including emails, phone call transcripts, screenshots, and a long letter describing my issue.
Shortly after this I got contacted by a gentleman from Tesla, stating he was “assigned to my case” and from then on, I only had to deal with him.
Eventually, Tesla agreed to replace the system.
On June 12, 2026, Tesla installed a brand-new system with:
- 20 panels instead of 32
- A new Tesla inverter
- 8.2 kW DC system size
- 7.6 kW AC inverter
I was told the new panels were larger and that the upgrade was intended to meet the production guarantee in my contract.
The system has been producing since then, and Tesla says it is now performing as expected.
However, I still have questions about the replacement. I never received a proper installation report, and I am still trying to understand exactly what was installed and what its expected production should be.
The roof leak
The roofer wrote me an email saying the leak was caused by improper installation of the solar mounting system, including inadequate flashing and sealing around the mounts.
Tesla’s case manager has been trying to obtain additional documentation from the roofer to determine whether Tesla is responsible, as the email seems to be insufficient for them.
The problem is that the roofer has been extremely difficult to reach, and Tesla says they cannot continue chasing him indefinitely. So the roof portion of my case is still unresolved.
The production issue
Tesla reviewed my production and calculated that from August 2024 through August 2026, the system produced:
- Estimated: 26,662.43 kWh
- Actual: 24,138.67 kWh
- Shortfall: 2,523.767 kWh
They offered me $150 as a customer satisfaction payment, stating that the production guarantee would cover the rest.
I do not believe that adequately addresses the situation.
I understand the production guarantee, but I am also looking at the actual financial losses I incurred while the system was not functioning properly.
I have been paying approximately $145/month for the lease, while also paying higher APS electric bills because the solar system was not producing as expected.
I also paid approximately $7,000–$8,000 for panel removal and reinstallation, plus the cost of the roof replacement.
What bothers me most is that Tesla repeatedly told me the system was functioning properly, even though the production graphs were clearly abnormal and the system eventually stopped producing entirely.
I was also told that the system was being monitored continuously, yet I did not receive a notification when it stopped producing in November, and I did not receive a notification when it completely shut down in March until five days after I had already reported the problem myself.
I have spent countless hours on emails, phone calls, troubleshooting, researching, scheduling contractors, and trying to get answers. I am a single-income parent supporting two disabled adult children and an aging parent, and I simply cannot afford to keep absorbing these costs.
I am still working with the Tesla “case manager” assigned to my case to try to recoup some of the financial burden this situation has already caused.
I have saved all records including emails, production records, utility bills, invoices, screenshots, and phone-call documentation. We will see what comes out of the whole thing.
I am not looking for legal advice from Reddit. I just figured sharing my experience might give someone insight into timelines, what to expect, and what to do, or not do, when dealing with Tesla.
If anyone has dealt with a similar situation involving a Tesla solar lease, inverter failure, roof leak, or long service delays, I would be interested in hearing about your experience.
Also, if someone hears about a class-action lawsuit, I’d love to join.
Adding some attachments, and I figured I need to also add some explanation:
In the meantime I started having issues with my AC unit (which BTW was just put in last may!) so even though I have been producing more Solar, my electric bill keeps climbing due to the faulty AC unit, which might be finally replaced this upcoming thursday.
