Four honest ways to pay for solar.

Purchase, financing, lease, or PPA. Here's how each actually works, trade-offs included.

Cash purchase

Pay once and own the system outright from day one. Every kilowatt-hour it produces is yours, and there's no monthly payment, ever.

Best if

You want the lowest lifetime cost, full ownership, and eligibility for Arizona's state solar credit.

Keep in mind

It's the biggest upfront number. Equipment stays covered by manufacturer warranties, but the system is yours to look after.

Financing

A solar loan. You own the system and pay it off over a set term instead of all at once. Subject to credit approval and lender terms.

Best if

You want ownership and the state credit without the upfront cost.

Keep in mind

Interest adds to the total cost over the life of the loan. Rates and terms vary by lender, and we'll show you the real numbers before you sign anything.

Lease

The system belongs to a solar company, and you pay a fixed monthly amount to use it. Maintenance typically stays with the owner, not you.

Best if

You want little or nothing down and a predictable monthly payment without ownership responsibilities.

Keep in mind

You don't own the system and the Arizona state credit doesn't apply. Some leases include annual payment escalators, so we walk through every term before you commit.

Power purchase agreement (PPA)

Pay for the power, not the panels. The system belongs to a solar company and you pay a set rate for each kilowatt-hour it actually produces.

Best if

You want little or nothing down and to pay only for what the system generates.

Keep in mind

You don't own the system and the state credit doesn't apply. The per-kilowatt-hour rate and any escalator are the numbers that matter, and we'll put them in front of you plainly.

The four options at a glance

	Purchase	Financing	Lease	PPA
Who owns the system	You	You	The solar company	The solar company
Upfront cost	Full price	Often none	Little or none	Little or none
What you pay monthly	Nothing	Loan payment	Fixed lease payment	A set rate per kWh produced
Who handles maintenance	You, with equipment warranties	You, with equipment warranties	Typically the owner	Typically the owner
Arizona state solar credit	May qualify	May qualify	No	No

The tax credit picture in 2026, straight

The old 30% federal credit is over

The federal residential clean energy credit ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025. If you buy a system in 2026, with cash or a loan, it does not qualify. Anyone telling you otherwise is selling you last year's pitch.

Leases and PPAs work differently

A federal credit still exists for the companies that own leased and PPA systems, currently through 2027. That credit goes to the owner, not to you, but it's part of why lease and PPA rates can be competitive.

Arizona still has a state credit

Arizona offers a credit of 25% of system cost, up to $1,000 lifetime per taxpayer, for systems you own. It doesn't apply to leases or PPAs.

This is general information as of mid-2026, not tax advice. Eligibility depends on your situation, and the rules can change. Talk to a tax professional before counting on any credit.

Payment questions, answered straight

Which option is right for me?

It depends on your budget, your tax situation, and how long you plan to stay in the home. There's no universal answer, and we won't pretend there is. We'll lay out the real numbers for each option side by side and let you decide.

Is "zero down" real?

Nobody gives away solar. Zero down means no upfront payment, not no cost. With a lease or PPA you pay monthly for the system or its power instead of paying upfront, and the terms of that monthly payment are what deserve your attention.

Do I need good credit?

Financing, leases, and PPAs are all subject to credit approval, and requirements vary by provider. If one path doesn't fit, another might. We'll tell you what's realistic before you commit to anything.

What happens if I sell my home?

A system you own typically transfers with the house. With a lease or PPA, the agreement usually transfers to the buyer or gets bought out, and the exact process depends on the contract terms. We go through those terms with you before you sign, not after.

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