Solar Lease vs Buy: Pros, Cons & Cost Impacts Explained

At the Alliance for Competitive Power (ACP), we know choosing solar isn’t just about number crunching; it’s about empowering your home, your wallet, and maybe even your sense of adventure. If you’re staring at your rooftop and wondering whether you should snap up those solar panels or simply lease them, you’re not alone. This choice shapes everything from your monthly bills to how much sunlight turns into long-term savings.

Solar: Do You Want the Keys, or Just the Ride?

Buying solar panels means you get all the bragging rights. It’s your system, your rules, and all the energy it generates goes into your pocket. If you opt to lease, it’s more like borrowing a sleek new car. You enjoy the ride, but someone else holds the title - and takes care of the upkeep.

According to the insights over at EnergySage, homeowners who buy (outright or with financing) tend to rake in bigger long-term savings than those who lease. In 2026, this distinction is even sharper as the market shifts toward solar-plus-storage systems that give owners total control over their power.

The Numbers That Make the Choice Real

The difference over a quarter-century—that’s the average panel lifespan—isn’t pocket change. Buying solar in 2026 (after factoring in available rebates and local incentives) typically costs between $18,000 and $25,000 for an average system. Leasing over those same years? You could end up paying closer to $35,000 to $40,000, as highlighted at EcoWatch.

While leasing offers tempting zero-down offers, buying requires more upfront grit. However, by 2026, the proliferation of specialized solar loans has made ownership accessible even without a massive pile of cash.

Why Buying Is Still the Heavyweight Champ

There’s a reason most energy insiders recommend buying when you can. Here’s what’s in it for you:

• Bonus Cash and Incentives: When you buy solar, state tax credits and local rebates, which vary by region in 2026 belong to you, not the installer. SolarReviews backs this up.

• Boost Your Home’s Resale Power: Owned panels can send your home’s value up by 4% to 7% on average. Future buyers love the prospect of smaller energy bills without a monthly lease payment attached. PosiGen explains how leased panels can actually complicate a sale.

• Every Dollar Saved Lands in Your Pocket: Once a purchased system pays for itself (usually within 7–9 years), every watt generated is pure profit. GoGreenSolar confirms this long-term harvesting.

Leasing: When Letting Go Makes Sense

Not everybody can or wants to fork out big bucks upfront. Leasing can actually make sense in quite a few scenarios:

• Low or No Initial Payment: Leasing helps you sidestep hefty down payments and start saving on your monthly utility bill immediately.

• No Maintenance Headaches: The company owns the panels, so they handle the fixing, cleaning, and swapping. Today’s Homeowner covers this maintenance plus.

• Short-Term Plans: If you think you might move within the next five years, a lease with a transfer clause might offer a lighter commitment than the long-term ROI of buying, as noted by ConsumerAffairs.

The Surprises (and Snags) Hidden in Solar Leases

Leases come with fine print you don’t want to skip:

• They Call the Shots: You use the solar, but the company manages the system. Palmetto outlines this reality.

• No Ownership at Lease End: When the lease wraps up, you generally don't own the equipment—meaning no extra savings once the contract is over, as detailed at EnergyBot.

• Selling Can Get Tangly: Transferring a lease to a buyer adds a layer of complexity to home inspections and closings.

Lease vs Buy: Competition and Your Choices

At ACP, we’re all about giving you energy choices in open, competitive markets. Leasing and buying both thrive when you have options. In 2026, robust competition among installers and finance providers has driven lower costs and more creative solutions for consumers.

Frequently Asked Questions: Solar Lease vs Buy

• Do I get the federal solar tax credit with a lease? No, that credit belongs to the system owner (the leasing company).

• Does solar ownership bump up my home’s value? Yes—research consistently shows buyers are willing to pay more for homes with owned solar.

• Can I transfer a lease if I sell my house? Most companies allow this, provided the buyer qualifies, but it can sometimes slow down the sale process.

• Will I save more by buying or leasing? Buying wins on long-term savings, as noted by Consumer Reports.

Let’s Wrap: Your Power, Your Path

If you’ve got the means or can secure a favorable loan, buying solar in 2026 sets you up for maximum savings and genuine energy freedom. Leasing can help you get started without the upfront cost, but ownership is the path to truly squeezing every drop of benefit from the sun.

Explore all the avenues in a competitive energy marketplace. For more, check out our ACP video stories and keep your energy future bright.