Financing, 50 tools
Which way to pay for solar actually costs less?
Compare loan payments against lease and PPA rates, run the tax credit math, and see how APR, term length, and down payment change what you pay in the end.
Start here
The tool most people run first
A loan only makes sense if the system pays for itself in reasonable time. The payback period calculator runs that check from your system cost and annual savings before you compare loan offers.
Loan payment calculator Your monthly payment from loan amount, APR, and term. The number most people want before anything else.Loan, lease, PPA, or cash
Compare the big four ways to pay
Loan terms and payments
Dial in the loan itself
Solar loans often carry dealer fees that do not show up in the headline rate. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's report on solar financing explains how these loans are structured and what to watch for.
Loan types and lenders
Choose where the loan comes from
Where you borrow matters less than what the loan costs you after incentives. The federal ITC calculator shows whether your system still qualifies for a federal credit, which changes the amount you need to borrow.
PPAs and leases
The fine print on a PPA or lease
Credit, down payment, and payoff
What moves your rate and your payoff date
Your credit score does much of the work in setting your rate. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's guide to credit reports and scores explains what lenders see when they check your credit.
Costs, ITC, and totals
See the full cost picture
For your situation
Financing for specific buyers and add-ons
Questions
Frequently asked
A loan almost always saves more money over 20 to 25 years because you own the system and keep the federal tax credit, while a lease trades that ownership for a lower or zero upfront cost. Run your own numbers in the solar loan vs lease comparison.
Yes, as long as you own the system outright, including through a loan. It does not apply to leases or PPAs, since the installer owns the equipment in those arrangements. See the exact math in financing cost with ITC applied.
Most solar lenders want a score of 640 or higher for their best rates, though some programs accept scores down to 580 with a higher APR. The financing options for low credit score tool lists what's realistic at different score ranges.
A larger down payment lowers your monthly payment and total interest, but only makes sense if that cash isn't better used elsewhere. The down payment impact calculator shows the tradeoff for your own numbers.