With the growing popularity of solar and a rise in businesses that are offering solar, you may have seen offers for free solar panels. While switching to solar can make great financial sense, the actual idea of “free solar panels” is not exactly what it may seem. As with most offers that seem too good to be true, there are a few stipulations that mean you’re not actually receiving free solar panels on your roof if you sign up for such an offer.
No free lunch
Companies who may promise you free solar panels usually use it as a marketing gimmick and a way to make a quick sale that puts cash in their pocket. The solar installer owns the panels and handles all of the installation and maintenance on them, typically for 20 to 25 years. During this time, your household will benefit by getting clean energy from the sun at a lower, locked in rate rather than the grid—saving you money on your electricity bill. This can be a great deal for consumers wanting to switch to solar without having to pay large upfront costs. While this type of agreement can work great for both the installers and the homeowners, we should note that these are not “free solar panels”.
PPAs explained
To be clear, this type of agreement is something that All Energy Solar offers our customers through something called a solar power purchase agreement, or PPA. Under these agreements, we’re able to install solar panels on your property with no upfront fees. In this case, you lease the panels for a certain term and have the opportunity to buy the panels outright at the end of the term—similar to a car lease.
Other solar companies may use terms like free solar panels and position it as a win-win way to switch to solar. While this can be true, it’s important for you as a consumer to know that there are other options to help finance your panels as well. PPAs are just one of the methods we use to help make solar work for you. You should be cautious of any sales people who approach you with a pushy sales tactic based solely on this solar lease option. Before you sign on the dotted line, be sure to ask hard questions about the length of the term and the fees involved.
All options on the table
Just as solar systems need to be custom designed to best fit your location, household, and energy needs, the financing is no different.
All Energy Solar will assess and discuss with you the many different options for funding your solar. PPAs are just one of the many tools we have to find the right solution for you. You also have the ability to pay out of pocket, get a home equity or business loan, apply for a home improvement loan, or finance directly through us. In general, we’ve found that PPAs can work well under the right circumstances and can be an attractive option for those looking to go solar with little or no money down.
How you decide to finance your panels is up to you, but we’ll help guide you through the pros and cons of each option without resorting to pushy sales tactics or marketing ploys.
So ultimately, you might not be getting “free solar panels”, but you will be getting free and limitless energy from the sun, with a financial agreement that makes the best sense for you.
