What solar will cost you, in dollars, every way you can pay.
Pick your town, a system size and a price per watt. See the day-one cost, the monthly payment and the 25-year total for cash, two kinds of loan, a lease and a PPA, side by side.
Loan, lease and price-growth terms
Lease priced at 85% of year-one savings and PPA at 85% of what each solar kWh is worth to you: typical, but use your quote. Leases and PPAs exclude batteries and extras.
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How each way to pay works
Cash
Highest day-one cost and usually the biggest 25-year gain. You own the panels, claim any state credit and pay for upkeep.
Credit-union or home-equity loan
You borrow the cash price, so there is no dealer fee. A higher rate, but often cheaper overall than a “low-rate” solar loan.
Low-rate solar loan
A 1–4% rate paid for by a dealer fee added to the price. The CFPB found fees typically add 10–30%.
Lease
A fixed monthly payment, usually rising 0–2.9% a year. No money down; the company owns and maintains the panels.
Power purchase agreement
You pay per kWh the panels make, usually 10–20% below your utility at first, with a yearly escalator. Lease vs PPA.
Which one wins?
It depends on your electricity price, your export rules and how long you will stay. That is why every number above changes with your town.
Questions about solar costs
Is it cheaper to pay cash for solar?
Usually, over the life of the system. Cash avoids interest and dealer fees. A loan can still leave you ahead each month if the payment is below your bill savings; the calculator shows both.
What is a dealer fee?
A fee the lender charges the installer to offer a low interest rate, built into your system price. Ask every installer for the cash price and the loan price in writing; the difference is the fee.
Are solar leases and PPAs a bad deal?
Not always. Nothing is due on day one and someone else maintains the panels, but you give up most of the long-run savings, and the payment usually rises 2–3% a year. Compare the escalator with how fast your electricity price rises.
How much does a solar battery add?
About $1,100 per kWh of storage installed, so roughly $15,000 for a 13.5 kWh home battery. It pays back mainly where exports earn little or outages are common.