Solar Financing Calculator
Compare loan vs. lease vs. PPA vs. cash purchase with real APR modeling. See which option costs least over 25 years.
Backed by EIA data~2 min
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Results
Lowest 25-Year Cost
Cash Purchase
$16,800 total
| Option | Month 1 | 25-yr Total | Own? |
|---|---|---|---|
Cash Purchase Pay upfront, claim 30% ITC. No monthly payments. | $0 | $16,800 | ✓ |
Solar Loan (6.5%, 20yr) Finance after ITC. No down payment. | $125 | $30,062 | ✓ |
Lease ($120/mo) Fixed monthly payment with 2.9% annual escalator. Installer owns system. | $120 | $51,817 | ✗ |
PPA (12¢/kWh) Pay per kWh produced at 12¢ with 2.9% annual escalator. | $110 | $47,499 | ✗ |
Do Nothing (utility) Keep paying your utility at current rates + 3%/yr escalation. | $147 | $64,168 | ✗ |
Federal ITC (30%)
$7,200
Tax credit, not refund
Annual energy value
$1760/yr
At 16¢/kWh
Assumptions
- 30% federal ITC applied to cash and loan options (reducing principal).
- Utility rates assumed to increase 3%/year for the "Do Nothing" scenario.
- No state/local incentives included — check Incentive Finder.
- Lease/PPA escalator compounds annually. Actual terms vary by installer.
- No battery, maintenance, or degradation adjustments.
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