You lease the solar panels and receive all the energy they produce but do not own the panels.
Solar panels option contract.
Instead of paying for a solar system you pay a fixed monthly amount for the electricity the solar panels generate.
But instead of paying for the system you pay a monthly fee for the energy it produces.
You make monthly payments for the panels and are entitled to all the electricity they produce.
Go solar for 0 down with a solar lease ppa and save on your electric bill with a solar lease or power purchase agreement ppa you don t have to pay the high upfront cost of solar panels equipment and installation.
If your contract doesn t specify exact dates for buyouts many solar leasing providers offer the opportunity to back out of a solar lease contract at any point by purchasing the solar panel system at the fair market value.
However it s still a 20 year agreement contract where you re giving away a part of your home for a discounted rate of energy.
Depending on the contract agreement when selling your house you have a few options for fulfilling the lease obligation before the lease is up.
Most lease providers provide the option to buy the panels at the end of the lease term at a discounted price.
A solar land lease is a legally binding contract and conveyance of an estate in real property between a landowner s and a solar photovoltaic pv development company that sets out the rights and responsibilities of the parties to that contract and conveyance.
So the residential solar ppa market is still a relatively new option having become more popular in the last 5 8 years due to the no money down option.
Even though leasing solar panels with no upfront cost is very attractive trying to get out of a solar contract comes with some additional cost.
What to watch out for.
As with any other major financial commitment shopping around is the best way to ensure that the solar financing that you choose is the best option for you.
Buyout of a solar lease agreement.
The solar panels on your roof are owned by the ppa provider not you.
Most lenders will agree a loan on a property with leased solar panels provided the contract meets certain conditions one of them being that the installing company be accredited the installation.
Why it s not your best option.
Otherwise many solar leasing contracts specify buy out options and prices directly in their contract for example you can buy the system for 15 000 at year five of your contract.
Most solar leases require 0 down and solar leasing companies make it easy for you to sign an agreement on the same day.
Ppas typically range from 10 to 25 years and the developer remains responsible for the operation and maintenance of the system for the duration of the agreement.
At the end of the ppa contract term a customer may be able to extend the ppa have the developer remove the system or choose to buy the solar energy system from the developer.
Solar leasing is a lot like a lease on a car.