FAQs: Solar lease
The best solar companies with no upfront cost options offer flexible payment plans, strong warranties, and full-service support. Look for providers that handle everything—from system design and installation to monitoring and maintenance (so you don’t have to manage multiple vendors). Companies that offer subscription-style plans make it easier to go solar without large upfront payments while still getting long-term support. Sunrun stands out for its proven track record of over 15 years, customizable solar plans, and dedicated customer support.
Solar leasing is a financing option where you pay a monthly fee to use a solar panel system installed on your home, but the solar company owns and maintains the equipment. You benefit from the solar energy produced without the upfront cost of purchasing the system.
Solar leasing offers low or no upfront costs, system maintenance by the provider, and predictable monthly payments. Buying provides potential tax incentives, and full ownership, which can increase home value.
When you sign up for a free quote, our in-house Solar Advisors will work with you to determine how much monthly energy savings you may expect. This relies on factors like your utility, how much electricity you use, and solar energy production at your home. We also make sure you get the most of your state’s solar incentives and federal solar tax credit that may be available. We'll only recommend solar if it’s the right fit for your home energy needs and profile.
Yes, you can really go solar with no upfront costs. Qualifying Sunrun customers can take control of their long-term electricity costs for as little as $0 down with the Sunrun solar subscription. The benefits of solar are rolled up into a low, predictable monthly rate for solar power that replaces all or some of the power you used to receive from the grid.
When it comes to your solar financing options, Sunrun’s best selling plan, the Sunrun Subscription, allows for a solar lease with no upfront costs. We also offer solar loans with monthly payments, a prepaid solar lease, and the option to purchase solar panels outright. With Sunrun, your journey to renewable energy has never been easier and our team will work with you to find the best solar financing for your home and your family. From the very beginning, we will clearly lay out the entire cost, upfront cost, monthly payment costs, and any future bills. Whether you buy or finance solar panels, we’ll be with you every step of the way to help make decisions.
Sunrun is the #1 solar leasing company in the U.S., offering flexible solar plans, professional installation, and ongoing system maintenance to help homeowners go solar without upfront costs.
Once you’re approved for installing solar panels, your home will undergo a site assessment so our expert Solar Technicians can work on and present your system design.
After that, our Solar Design Experts will make any necessary adjustments to your solar design and get your final approval. Once it’s approved, we’ll submit your design to the city for permitting, which can take up to eight weeks. From there, either Sunrun or one of our local certified partners will begin your solar installation. We only partner with top-rated solar installers, so rest assured that you’ll end up with the highest-quality solar system on your roof.
When your home solar system is complete, the city or county will perform a final inspection of your system. Once it’s approved, it’ll be connected to the grid, and we’ll submit your documents to your utility company. After your utility company grants Permission to Operate (PTO), you’ll be ready to power your home with the sun. Whether you’re buying solar panels, doing a solar lease, or getting a solar loan, when you go with Sunrun, we’re with you every step of the installation process.
Want to learn more? Here’s a detailed timeline of our installation process.
The electricity generated by a home solar system is ruled by its rated power output. Yet, it’s dependent on other factors as well to best serve your energy usage. These include panel efficiency, temperature sensitivity, shading, and the angle of your roof. A roof’s angle, though, has less impact on panel performance than the direction it faces. Top production occurs when panels face south a tilt angle of 30° to 45°.5
Additionally, available sunlight varies by location. This brief equation shows how sunlight and a solar panel’s specifications turn into the amount of power generated.
Let’s say on a good day, you average 5 hours of direct sunlight. Multiply 5 hours of sunlight x 290 watts from a solar panel = 1,450 watts or roughly 1.5 kilowatt hours per day. That’s about 500-550 kilowatt hours of energy per year from each panel on your roof.4 How does that compare to your annual energy usage?
We only offer best-in-class solar equipment, including rooftop solar panels and batteries with the highest quality workmanship. All of our solar and storage products are backed by robust manufacturer warranties. To learn more, get a free quote today.