Solar Photovoltaic Panel Site Rental

Should you lease or rent solar panels?

Leasing or renting solar panels is an increasingly popular option for homeowners who want to take advantage of solar energy without the significant upfront costs of purchasing a system. This approach allows you to benefit from clean, renewable energy while avoiding the responsibilities of system ownership and maintenance.

How much does a solar lease cost?

When someone buys solar panels outright, they can enjoy energy savings – and can usually break even after around just eight years. Although people will still save this amount with a solar lease, they’ll also have to pay between $50 and $250 for the monthly fee.

Should you lease a residential solar system?

The steep up-front costs for a residential solar system can make a leasing company's sales pitch sound pretty appealing: Pay little or nothing and save hundreds of dollars per year on average. (The premise is that you save because the combination of your lease payment and your electric bill is less than what you currently pay for power.)

What does a solar lease company do?

No worries about repairs or maintenance: The solar lease company is responsible for repairing the panels and performing solar maintenance on the panels. Predictable payments: You know exactly what you’ll pay each month; it’s specified in the lease contract.

Should you install solar panels on your property before signing a lease?

Leasing companies want to maximize their profit, so there's a chance you could wind up with more panels than you want and that they could be installed in highly visible places—such as facing the street—without any regard to appearance. To avoid that, check the final system design and placement before signing the lease.

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?