SunDial is required to notify the Massachusetts DOER (Dept of Energy Resources) when an ownership change occurs.
Please note that the state has specific timing requirements for when we submit ownership changes which we must comply with.
Whenever possible you should notify us in advance of the home sale. SunDial will need to know the anticipated closing date, the buyer(s) name, their phone number and their email.
You should also provide us with your new mailing address so we can send any outstanding incentive payments to the correct address.
Only aggregators can submit a system owner change request to the DOER. The change needs to be approved by the DOER and they require both proof of sale from the seller and a REC purchase agreement from the buyer.
SunDial will prepare and send them to the seller and the buyer for electronic signatures. Once approved the changes are made in the appropriate database, (PTS and/or NEPOOL).
SunDial has a $200 administrative fee for making the ownership change. The buyer is normally responsible for payment at the time of the home sale.
Both Sundial and the DOER assume that the RECS credits will pass to the new homeowners unless there is a specific written agreement in place in the purchase and sale agreement at the time of sale.
Keep in mind, if the seller chooses to retain ownership of the system, it could become problematic in the future should the new homeowner need to remove the solar panels for roof replacement, renovations, landscaping, etc.
The new homeowner would also need to maintain a constant and reliable internet service and monitor the system’s production.
The purchase and sale agreement should also address who is responsible for the routine maintenance and any necessary service and scheduling, and any repair costs.
While it may seem like a good idea to keep the REC incentives at the time of sale these are all scenarios that need to be considered and addressed in the agreement. SunDial is still required to report the changes to the DOER and the steps listed above still apply.