We will discuss the pros and cons in this article but first we must address one fact.
Purchase vs lease solar panels.
The solar panels become the property of the purchaser after the funds are transferred.
The benefits of a solar lease solar leasing and ppas allow homeowners to go solar without the upfront costs of installing a system which can range up to 30 000.
You may be tempted to lease rather than buy but consumer reports says leasing solar panels is not a bright idea.
If you don t buy the company you lease from remains the owner of the solar panel system and therefore receives the long term financial benefits.
Buying solar panels requires an investment and more decision making than leasing but over the long term the benefits of owning your system are hard to beat.
Leasing is a contractual agreement between a company providing the solar installation the lessor to the company or individual acquiring the solar installation the lessee based on regular payments of lease rentals.
The great solar panel debate.
The main practical distinction between buying and leasing a solar pv system is in ownership.
Leasing solar panels from a solar provider merely give you benefits as a renter of the energy system.
More homeowners are cutting energy costs by installing solar panels due in part to leasing programs that require no up front investment.
But the startup costs can still be daunting.
To lease or to buy.
However when you buy.
If you lease the system or sign a power purchase agreement ppa a third party owns the solar panel system.
At the end of the contract the lessee can renew buy the panels outright often for a discounted price or have the panels removed.
One of the biggest disadvantages of solar leases is that you don t get to take advantage of.
Buy decision for a solar system is similar to that of a car.
Tax credits and incentives.
Whether you lease or buy solar panels you will save money on your energy bill.
If you use a loan you are borrowing money and paying interest and principal overtime.
If you sign a solar lease or ppa you are renting the solar panel system from the solar company that owns it if you install solar panels with a solar loan you are the system owner which comes with additional financial benefits and responsibilities the question of whether you want to take out a loan or lease your solar panels is dependent on your preferences needs and financial goals.
As with a car a solar lease can be thought of as a loan they are both contractual payments over a period of time to use an asset.
If you buy a solar panel system you own the system either outright if purchasing with cash or after repaying your solar loan.