Financing
Solar financing, without the sales pitch
Most solar financing conversations start with a monthly payment and end with a number you did not expect. Start somewhere else.
How to compare
Four questions that settle it fast
- 01
Ask for the total, not the payment
A monthly number is easy to shrink and hard to compare. Ask for the full cost of the system and the full cost of the loan, in writing. Solar loan dealer fees can add 20% or more to the total.
- 02
Check the quote against a range
We publish the benchmarks we use ourselves: 3.00 to 4.50 dollars per watt. A quote well below that usually means lower-grade equipment or less experienced labour. A quote well above it should come with a clear explanation.
- 03
Apply the incentives before you compare
Two quotes are not comparable until the federal credit and the state and utility programmes are applied the same way to both. Ask for net cost, not gross cost.
- 04
Ask what happens if you move
Payback periods and financing terms both assume you keep the system. If you might move, say so during the consultation rather than after you have signed.
The number to watch
Dealer fees hide the real cost
Solar loan dealer fees can add 20% or more to the total. Ask for the total cost of the loan in writing, not just the monthly payment.
These are the benchmarks the site publishes for judging a quote, not a price list. A quote well below this range usually means lower-grade equipment or less experienced labour; a quote well above it should come with a clear explanation of what justifies the premium.
Financing
Money questions
Can I get solar with no money up front?
For qualified, income-eligible Illinois homeowners, the no-cost programme covers $0 installation and $0 payments. We also quote financing options that include $0 down, so you can start saving immediately.
What does $0 down actually mean?
It means the cost is not paid at signing. It does not mean the cost has gone away - which is exactly why we want you comparing net cost and total loan cost rather than the monthly payment.
How do I tell a good financing offer from a bad one?
Ask three things in writing: the total system cost, the total amount you will have paid at the end of the loan including fees, and the rate. A low monthly payment with a long term and dealer fees can cost far more than a higher payment with a shorter one.
Do you push a particular financing product?
We show you the options and the total cost of each. If one is worse for your situation, that is the conversation we would rather have before you sign than after.
Get the net cost in writing before you compare anything
We will show you the full number, the incentives applied, and what you actually pay at the end of the loan.