Quick answer
The practical explanation
Buying generally means owning the equipment and accepting maintenance responsibility. A lease charges for use of the system, while a power purchase agreement charges for the electricity it produces. Long-term cost, incentives, maintenance, escalation clauses, and home-sale terms can differ substantially.
What to know
Three points to keep in mind
- Compare the cash price with the total of all scheduled payments.
- Identify who owns incentives and renewable-energy certificates.
- Read transfer, removal, early-termination, and roof-repair provisions before signing.
For your home
A site-specific answer still matters
Solar results and service needs depend on the roof, equipment, shade, household electricity use, utility requirements, and the condition of the existing system. Use this guide as a starting point, then have the property and equipment evaluated before making a major decision.
Discuss your question →Sources
Authoritative references
This article summarizes general consumer information and is not tax, legal, insurance, engineering, or utility-rate advice.