I bought a house with ‘free’ solar panels. Now a lender says I owe $45,000 on a debt I never agreed to

Core Insights - Rooftop solar panels are marketed as an attractive feature for homebuyers, promising lower utility costs and sustainable energy benefits [1] - Homebuyers should investigate claims of "free solar" to understand the underlying financial obligations associated with solar panel installations [1] Group 1: Homebuyer Experience - A young couple purchased a home with solar panels advertised as a perk, believing they were included in the sale without any additional costs [2][3] - The purchase contract did not specify solar panels as personal property, and there was no disclosure regarding any financing or loans related to the solar system [5][6] Group 2: Industry Context - Solar power accounts for over 160 gigawatts of energy capacity in the U.S., with more than 4.7 million homes equipped with solar panels, predominantly in California [4] - The couple discovered an existing debt of approximately $12,000 overdue and a remaining principal exceeding $45,000 related to the solar system, which they were unaware of at the time of purchase [7]