Defined term
Solar-loan dealer fee
Solar-loan dealer fee is an industry term used for a financing-related upfront fee or markup in some solar-specific loan programs that may be reflected in the financed system price or contractual principal/note amount.
Also known as solar financing dealer fee
economics · Concept code GS-CONCEPT-021 · Last verified August 20, 2026
Definition and boundaries
Definition
Solar-loan dealer fee is an industry term used for a financing-related upfront fee or markup in some solar-specific loan programs that may be reflected in the financed system price or contractual principal/note amount.
Applicable jurisdiction: US; terminology and transaction treatment vary
Definition claim verification: Verified August 20, 2026
In plain language
Ask for cash and financed prices for the same scope and inspect the contract and applicable disclosures. The term describes some financing arrangements, not every solar loan.
What it is not
It is not every installer markup, it is not automatically hidden or unlawful, and its treatment as a finance charge or in APR cannot be decided without the agreement and applicable rules.
Decision context
Why it matters
Terminology and legal treatment vary. Not every solar loan has a dealer fee, not every installer markup is a dealer fee, and a fee must not be described as hidden or unlawful without transaction-specific evidence. APR treatment depends on the agreement and the applicable finance-charge rules.
Applicable jurisdiction: US; federal credit-disclosure treatment is transaction-specific
Decision-context claim verification: Verified August 20, 2026
Information boundary
This definition is general educational information, not individualized financial or legal advice. Contract terms, disclosures, incentives, and electricity-sale rules require transaction- and jurisdiction-specific review.
Concept relationships
Related concepts
- Residential solar installed pricePublished conceptA fee may change the financed quote relative to installed or cash price
- Solar loanPublished conceptThe loan agreement and disclosures govern transaction-specific treatment
Primary sources
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Issue Spotlight: Solar Financing
Revision Published 2024-08-07 · Source event as of August 7, 2024 · Ontology accessed August 20, 2026 · Ontology verified August 20, 2026
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: 12 CFR 1026.22 — Determination of the annual percentage rate
Revision 12 CFR 1026.22; current electronic regulation · Source event date not provided · Ontology accessed August 20, 2026 · Ontology verified August 20, 2026
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: 12 CFR 1026.18 — Content of disclosures
Revision 12 CFR 1026.18(b); current electronic regulation and official interpretation · Source event date not provided · Ontology accessed August 20, 2026 · Ontology verified August 20, 2026
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: 12 CFR 1026.4 — Finance charge
Revision 12 CFR 1026.4; current electronic regulation and official interpretation · Source event date not provided · Ontology accessed August 20, 2026 · Ontology verified August 20, 2026
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: What is the difference between a loan interest rate and the APR?
Revision Reviewed 2024-01-30 · Source event as of January 30, 2024 · Ontology accessed August 20, 2026 · Ontology verified August 20, 2026
What to do next
- Review the solar-loan checklistNext step
- Compare cash and financed valuesNext step