Photovoltaic energy storage financing leasing program

What is a solar lease?

You can think of a solar lease like a car lease – it’s a form of third-party ownership (TPO) where you don’t own the product that you’re paying for. Under a solar lease, this third-party owner (e.g., a solar company) installs solar panels on your property and then sells you the electricity produced at a predetermined monthly rate.

Do you need a solar loan to buy a PV system?

If you take out a solar loan to purchase your PV system, you will be responsible for its maintenance. In either case, solar is a generally low-maintenance power source, and the equipment you buy with your solar loan should have warranties that range from 10 to 25 years. Monthly payments differ slightly between leases and loans.

How do solar battery financing options work?

Battery leases are another solar battery financing option that works like solar leases. You let a solar installer own and maintain your solar battery storage system at a monthly fee. It’s a viable option if you’re adding storage to an already leased solar system.

Can you sell a solar system under a lease?

Under a solar lease, you won't own your solar system, but will still benefit from its generated electricity. A leased solar system can make selling your home more difficult because the next owner may not want to take over your lease payments. What is a solar lease?

What is the difference between a solar lease and a PPA?

These two financing options are very similar. The critical difference is that with a solar lease, you'll have a fixed monthly payment, whereas with a solar PPA, you'll purchase the power generated by your system at a fixed price per kilowatt-hour (kWh). What does that mean for you?

What are the advantages of a solar lease?

The three main advantages of a solar lease are: Saving money on electricity: With a solar lease, you'll save on electricity costs throughout your agreement. Low or no upfront costs: Unlike a cash purchase, solar leasing setups allow you to go solar without paying much (if any) money upfront.