Financing · Cash & Loan
Own your system with cash or a loan.
Buying your solar system with cash or a loan means you own it outright. Over the life of the system, that ownership is where the deepest long-term savings live — you are replacing decades of utility bills with energy you produce yourself, and adding a real asset to your home.
It is also the path where we have to be most honest about 2026, so here is the straight version.
The 2026 reality for owned systems
The federal residential solar tax credit expired at the end of 2025. If you buy and own a system placed in service in 2026, you do not receive that federal credit. Any company implying otherwise on an owned system is not being straight with you.
That does not make ownership a bad deal — it makes the case for ownership about real, durable value rather than a one-time credit: long-term bill reduction, protection from relying entirely on the grid, and an asset that belongs to you.
Cash vs. loan
Both paths end with you owning the system. The difference is how you pay for it:
- Cash: the lowest lifetime cost — no financing charges — and the fastest path to bill-free production.
- Loan: own the system with little or nothing down, spreading the cost over time. The trade-off is the financing cost built into the loan.
When ownership is the right call
Ownership tends to fit homeowners who plan to stay in their home, want the largest long-term savings, and value owning the equipment outright. If you would rather lower your upfront cost through a prepaid lease, or want $0-down with immediate monthly savings, one of our other options may fit better — and we will tell you so.
Frequently asked questions
Do I get the 30% federal tax credit if I buy solar in 2026?
No — not on a system you own. The federal residential tax credit expired at the end of 2025. The commercial incentive value that still exists in 2026 flows through third-party ownership, such as our prepaid lease, not an owned system.
Is cash or a loan better?
Cash has the lowest lifetime cost since there are no financing charges. A loan lets you own the system with little down, at the cost of interest. We will model both for your situation.
Does owning solar add value to my home?
An owned system is an asset that conveys with the home, unlike a system you lease. How much value it adds depends on your market and the system itself.
We are not tax professionals. Tax incentives are subject to change and depend on the financing partner’s eligibility. Consult a tax professional for advice about your personal situation.
Not sure which fits?
One quick question usually sorts it out. Tell us your goal and we’ll point you to the right path — honestly.
See the comparison