If you're comparing ways to go solar without writing a big check, three structures dominate: the solar lease, the solar loan, and the PPA. All three can be $0-down, but they differ in who owns the system, who maintains it, how you pay, and who benefits from incentives. Here's the honest comparison.
The three structures at a glance
- Solar loan: you own the system and repay financing in fixed monthly payments. You're responsible for maintenance (panels carry long warranties) and you capture the system's long-term value.
- Solar lease: a third party owns the system; you pay a fixed monthly amount regardless of production. Maintenance is the owner's job.
- PPA: a third party owns the system; you pay per kWh for what it actually produces. Maintenance is the owner's job. Full PPA guide →
How to choose
Choose a loan if you want ownership, plan to stay long-term, and want the system's full economic value. Choose a lease or PPA if you want savings with no maintenance responsibility, prefer not to finance on your credit, or your state's market favors third-party ownership. PPAs reward production (good systems on good roofs); leases give payment certainty.
Questions that cut through the sales pitch
- What is the rate or payment, and does it escalate annually? By how much?
- For loans: what's the APR, term, and any dealer fee built into the price?
- For leases/PPAs: what's the production guarantee, and what are my end-of-term and home-sale options?
- Who handles maintenance, monitoring, and inverter replacement?
- Is the savings estimate built on my actual usage and utility rate — or a national average?
The bottom line
There is no universally "best" structure — there's the best structure for your bill, roof, credit, state, and how long you'll stay. Compare at least two quotes and make every provider show the math against your real utility bill.