If you are interested in a simple low maintenance option for installing a solar energy system on your home leasing solar panels is a good option for you.
Buying solar panels vs ppa.
Best ways to pay for your panels cash.
If you buy a solar panel system you own the system either outright if purchasing with cash or by financing the investment with a loan.
Both solar leases and solar ppas are very similar making it hard to tell the difference between the two.
Be the owner.
In this blog we break down how exactly these financing options are different and which one might be the best choice for you.
The main difference between buying and leasing a solar system is ownership.
A solar power purchase agreement ppa is a financial agreement where a developer arranges for the design permitting financing and installation of a solar energy system on a customer s property at little to no cost.
Leasing solar panels with a ppa power purchase agreement a recent development in the solar financing industry was the creation of a power purchase agreement wherein a financier finances the installation and the homeowner pays them in return over 20 years through a new kwh payment structure.
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.
Let s now talk about the differences between solar panel ownership leasing and purchase power agreements ppas buying solar panels.
The installer will typically provide the panels installation and maintenance at zero cost to the homeowner and in return the provider becomes your new utility provider.
Leasing solar panels ppa vs.
Buying solar panels vs.
The main practical distinction between buying and leasing a solar pv system is in ownership.
Leasing solar panels.
If you lease the system or sign a power purchase agreement ppa a third party owns the solar panel system.
But the finances and ownership of your solar energy system will change depending on whether you decide to own them outright or not.
That can raise your return on investment significantly meaning it may be much longer until your equipment is technically profitable.
The developer sells the power generated to the host customer at a fixed rate that is typically lower than the local utility.
Installing solar power through a ppa comes at the expense of solar rebates like the federal government s renewable energy tax credit which can add up to thousands of dollars of cost relief.
A solar ppa is a long term agreement between you and a solar provider and or installer to lease your roof in return for a lower energy bill.
If you buy a solar panel system you own the system either outright if purchasing with cash or after repaying your solar loan.