Should homeowners pay for solar panels upfront?

Homeowners who pay for their panels upfront with cash, or through a solar loan, will see something different than someone who signs a solar lease or solar power purchase agreement (PPA). While solar contracts will differ by provider and project, most of them contain a certain amount of shared verbiage and content.

Should you pay for solar panels with cash?

Paying for your solar panel system with cash is the best way to maximize your savings from solar. You won’t pay any additional interest like you will with a solar lease, and your electricity costs are taken care of for the next 25 years. You shouldn’t have to pay an electric bill again – or if you do, a very small one.

Can a contractor finance a solar panel?

Getting solar panel financing through your contractor can simplify the process for putting that loan in place. Plus, because the contractor is motivated to have the financing go through (so they can make money off your project), they may lower eligibility requirements. Getting this kind of loan for solar might require a hard credit check.

How much does a residential solar system cost?

You’ll pay around $1 to $1.50 per watt for thin-film panels. In addition to the hard costs of the panels themselves (along with inverters, solar batteries, conduit, electrical panels and racking equipment), there are also several other costs associated with a residential solar system, known as soft costs.

Do solar panels save money?

So you can expect to save around that much each month by going solar, which you can use to pay off your solar panels. Once they’re fully paid off, your savings will be even higher because every dollar saved goes right into your pocket. However, the cost of your electricity may go up over time.

Are solar panels a good investment?

There's a reason why more than 2.5 million homeowners have installed solar systems in their homes in the U.S. It's a smart investment that will increase your home's value and save you tens of thousands of dollars in electricity costs. Solar panel systems typically last for 25 years or more, and offset most or all of your monthly electricity bill.