Assume that Jane agrees to put the solar panels on the roof of the new building. When the contractor installs the solar panels, Jane's company does not pay for them. Which creditor protection could the solar contractor encumber the building to ensure the payment? A. A property-holders lien. B. A mechanic's lien. C. An artisan's lien. D. Garnishment.

B. A mechanic's lien.

A mechanic's lien is a security interest in the title of a property for the benefit of those who have supplied labor or materials that improve the property. In the scenario described, the solar contractor who installed the solar panels on the new building's roof can use a mechanic's lien to encumber the building. This means that the contractor can claim a right to keep possession of the building until the debt owed by Jane's company for the installation is paid.

The mechanic's lien must be filed according to state law, which usually requires the contractor to document the amount owed and to file a lien claim with a local county office or court. If the debt remains unpaid, the contractor may eventually force a sale of the property to recover the money owed, subject to the legal process and court approval.