Lease Solar Panels

Start catching rays and saving dough immediately without purchasing high-cost solar systems.

By Krissa Smith, Assistant Editor, Urban Farm magazine

Leasing solar panels is an option for energy-conscious homeowners who aren’t ready to commit to buying a solar-energy system.

If you want to go solar but aren’t ready to make a huge investment, solar companies are leasing solar panels to soften up-front costs to help you immediately capture savings from solar power. The catch? You might get hooked.

With the leasing program, companies generally pay for installation of the solar panels, and with the combination of your monthly lease fee and power bill, your bill will usually cost less than in non-solar days. Because leasing and rental companies take care of maintenance for you, there’s no upkeep burn to your pocketbook.

An added plus? Solar panels generate no carbon emissions and save water needed to produce energy.

Depending on your lease agreement, you may pay a fixed monthly payment and have the option of buying the system after the lease ends. However, if you want to eventually own your own solar panels, buying upfront may be more cost-effective.

Get more information from these companies. Some offer free consultations.

Citizenre Renue: 302-973-0596
CT Solar Lease (Connecticut): 888-232-3477
freEner-g (Minneapolis, Minn.): 612-605-5228
SolarCity (Arizona, California and Oregon): 888-765-2489
SunRun (California): 877-786-6656

Give us your opinion on Lease Solar Panels.

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I had a solar company look into my house for suitability & I was told my house is not a suitable one. Never did get a chance to ask why. I was offered a free energy audit though.

Dante, Hyde Park, MA
Posted: 5/6/2013 8:16:38 PM

Got to get on the ball with this.

Galadriel, Lothlorien, ME
Posted: 4/1/2013 11:53:28 PM

In October of 09 my family (of 5) and I made the decision to go solar (with solarcity). By Dec 13th, we had our panels up and running. I live a bit inland in an area of San Diego which makes for hot desert weather and lots of AC use to go with it. I also am in a neighborhood that puts out Christmas lights for all to see during the month of Dec. Sure I pay a monthly bill to SC, but after one year(and only half of Dec 09 covered), I have not had to pay the electric company one penny. With extensive use in July and December, I still end up with excess power that now, the electric company has to pay ME for. The hudreds of $ I gave to SDGE monthly is down to $150 to SC. Beyond the benifit of saving money (and even being paid back), and the environmental impacts, there is also the new friends you make when people ask about your roof and the pride in my children's eyes when their friends ask what they are doing to help the earth. Leasing was the best option for us as we didn't have $30,000 to put down (in fact, we did zero down), and I haven't regreted it one moment.

Michelle, San Diego, CA
Posted: 12/7/2010 11:15:43 PM

For Pam in Colorado:
In fall of 2008, the state legislature passed a law restricting HOA's from prohibiting energy saving devices or making the installation of such devices cost more than it would have if you did it the way you wanted. I live in a very restrictive HOA and plan on installing a large pasive solar array next year.

Rich, Windsor, CO
Posted: 11/25/2010 4:22:24 PM

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