Is it Better to Buy or Lease Solar Panels? A Guide to Solar System Financing.
| Sullivan Solar Power
Is it better to buy or rent solar panels? It's one of the most common questions homeowners have when researching solar energy, but the answer isn't so straightforward. There are several ways to finance a new solar panel system, each offering its own distinct advantages and disadvantages. The best way to maximize your investment is to explore all your options and weigh them against your individual needs.
You don't need to own a solar panel system to enjoy many of its benefits. Instead, you can rent the necessary equipment by signing a solar lease. Instead of paying for the system itself, you'll essentially pay for the energy it produces. That means you'll receive clean, reliable solar power at a fixed price for the duration of the lease. Once the lease has expired, you can choose to purchase the equipment at market value or simply have it removed at no cost.
For homeowners considering solar power, leasing is among the most accessible options. There's no upfront cost, eliminating a potential barrier to entry. Instead, you can essentially replace your monthly utility payments with payments to the financing company. By providing fixed rates for electricity, leases also help protect you from sudden spikes in utility prices.
Renting equipment offers another enticing benefit as well. Since you don't take ownership of the system, you aren't responsible for maintenance and repairs. Solar power inverters often fail after 10 to 15 years and can be costly to replace. With a 20-year lease, however, your system will be repaired at no cost to you.
Leasing solar panels can be a great option, but it also comes with a clear downside. Only the owner of a system is eligible for most incentives, including the generous federal solar tax credit. That means the financing company will receive the credit on your behalf, although you'll still get low monthly payments.
Additionally, entering into a solar lease can potentially cause problems if you later decide to sell your home. Although many leases can be transferred to a new homeowner, not every prospective buyer will be interested. Finally, some leases include an escalator clause that can increase your payments over time. Be sure to ask your solar company about any escalators before signing any paperwork.
When it comes to solar panel systems, cash is clearly king. Buying your equipment outright is the quickest and easiest way to make the switch to solar. Once your system is installed, it's entirely yours with no strings attached. Depending on the quality of your equipment, your initial purchase can provide decades of steady power production.
Owning your own solar panels comes with a whole host of valuable benefits. Paying cash allows you to take advantage of the federal solar tax credit and all other applicable incentives. It also eliminates interest charges, financing fees and other added expenses. Additionally, a fully purchased system provides the greatest boost to your property values.
In other words, you'll get the best possible perks at the lowest total cost. Whether you look at the internal rate of return or total return on investment, the bottom line is clear. If you can afford it, buying solar panels with cash is almost always the best way to maximize your investment.
No matter how advantageous it might be, buying solar panels isn't an option for everyone. The upfront cost of a cash purchase is simply too burdensome for some homeowners. If you already have money in mutual funds or other investments, it also makes sense to compare your returns against the expected return on a new solar power system.
The other downside of buying solar panels is that you'll be responsible for any repairs or other unforeseen expenses. Before you make a purchase, you'll need to consider your ability to cover any unexpected problems. However, some solar companies offer extended warranties to help minimize the risk even beyond typical manufacturer warranties.
When deciding whether it's better to buy or rent solar panels, arguably the biggest factors are ownership and cost. Owning your own equipment is clearly beneficial, but it's also a significant investment. Financing offers an attractive compromise, allowing you to purchase your own system without paying the full price at once. The most common financing solutions are solar loans and PACE loans. Solar loans work much like other standard loans, while PACE loans are levied against your property and paid back through assessments added to your annual property taxes.
The primary benefit of financing your solar panels is the ability to own your equipment without having to pay the full price right away. In fact, many financing options require no money down. Best of all, you'll still qualify for all available tax credits and incentives. These incentives can significantly reduce the total cost of your system and make it an even better investment.
While you'll pay little or nothing initially, financing your solar panels is ultimately more costly over time. Depending on the type of financing you select, you'll need to pay interest, financing charges and other associated fees. As with paying cash, you'll also need to cover any maintenance and repairs yourself.
In the end, there is no right or wrong answer for every homeowner. Buying your equipment is generally most advantageous if your aim is to maximize your return on investment, increase your property values and benefit from federal and state tax incentives. Conversely, renting solar panels may be a better option if you prefer paying less upfront and avoiding the hassle of future repairs.
Whatever your needs, the key is to work with a solar energy company you can trust. Reputable solar companies should provide multiple financing options and allow you to choose the one that suits you. Most importantly, they should provide clear and simple terms and give you all the information needed to make an informed and empowered decision.