Solar with no upfront cost: our lease program
Not everyone wants to buy a solar system — and that's fine. With a lease, you pay a predictable monthly amount for the power your roof produces, while the system owner handles maintenance. Here's how it works, including the honest trade-offs.
Who a lease fits best
- You want solar without a large upfront purchase — leases are typically structured with little or no money down.
- You can't use the federal tax credit (for example, limited tax liability in retirement) — with a lease, the lessor takes the credit and that's priced into your payment.
- You'd rather not own the maintenance: under a typical lease, keeping the system running is the owner's responsibility, not yours.
- You want a set monthly payment for solar power instead of a utility bill that changes with rates and seasons.
How it works, step by step
We design the system and quote the lease
Same custom design process as every Seed Solar system — sized for your roof and usage. Your quote shows the lease payment next to the cash and loan options so you can compare all three honestly.
You review the current lease terms
Term length, monthly payment, any escalator, and transfer rules all come from the current lease agreement. We go through the document with you line by line — call us for today's terms before you decide.
We install; you start paying for power, not panels
Installation, permitting, and utility interconnection work exactly like any of our projects. Once the system is on, your lease payment covers the solar power your roof produces — how that compares to your old bill depends on your usage and the current terms.
Selling your home? The lease transfers
Leases are designed to move with the house: buyers typically assume the lease (subject to the lessor's approval), and some agreements allow a buyout as part of the sale. We'll explain the exact options in your agreement before you sign.
Lease questions, answered honestly
How does a solar lease work?
Instead of buying the system, you host it on your roof and pay a monthly amount for the power it produces. The leasing company owns the equipment and is typically responsible for keeping it running — you get the electricity.
What does a lease cost upfront?
Leases are typically structured with little or no money down, but your upfront cost, monthly payment, and any escalator all depend on the current lease terms — call us and we'll walk you through today's numbers for your home.
Who handles maintenance and repairs on a leased system?
Under a typical lease, the system owner does — that's one of the main appeals. Exactly what's covered is spelled out in the lease agreement, and we'll go through it with you before you sign.
What happens if I sell my home?
Solar leases are built to transfer: the buyer typically assumes the lease (subject to the lessor's approval), or in some cases the lease can be bought out as part of the sale. We'll explain the exact transfer options in the current lease terms before you sign anything.
Do I get the federal tax credit with a lease?
No — because the leasing company owns the system, it claims the tax credit and incentives. That's a big part of why owning (cash or loan) usually saves more over the system's life. A lease trades that upside for zero upfront cost and zero maintenance responsibility.
Is a lease or a loan better for me?
If you can use the tax credit and want the most lifetime savings, owning usually wins — see the Colorado RENU loan for a no-money-down way to own. If you can't use the tax credit, or you want a fixed payment with no ownership responsibilities, a lease can be the better fit. We'll show you both side by side.
Lease pricing, term lengths, escalators, and transfer rules come from the current lease agreement and change over time — we don't publish numbers here that could go stale. Call (720) 713-7695 and we'll walk you through today's terms for your home. If owning sounds better, see the Colorado RENU loan.
Compare lease, loan, and cash — for your actual roof
Every quote shows all three options side by side, with conservative production numbers. No pressure toward any of them — you pick what fits.