Prepaid solar lease
Prepaid solar lease for PGE customers
One upfront payment, no monthly solar bill, and the federal credit built into your price. Available to Portland General Electric customers now.
- Oregon-owned since 2009
- 3,500+ systems installed
- Updated November 4, 2026
The short answer
A prepaid solar lease lets you pay once, upfront, for years of solar power from a system the leasing company owns. Because the owner can still claim the federal 48E credit for solar placed in service by December 31, 2027, that value is reflected in a lower prepaid price. You get the power without a monthly lease payment. National Solar offers prepaid leases to PGE customers today, with Pacific Power coming soon.
Updated
- How you pay
- One upfront payment
- Monthly lease bill
- None
- Federal credit
- Reflected in a lower price
- Equipment owner
- The leasing company
- Deadline
- In service by December 31, 2027
- Available to
- PGE customers; Pacific Power soon
How it works
What a prepaid lease is
With a prepaid lease you make one payment at the start of the agreement instead of monthly payments. The leasing company owns the panels and inverters, and you use all the power they make.
Since 2026, homeowners can't claim a federal credit on solar they buy. A system owner that leases to you can, so a prepaid lease is one of the few remaining ways the federal credit still lowers what you pay for solar.
Compare
Prepaid lease vs. buying vs. a monthly lease
| Item | Prepaid lease | Cash or loan purchase | Monthly lease or PPA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | One payment | System price, or $0 down with a loan | Usually $0 |
| Monthly solar payment | None | None (cash) or fixed (loan) | Yes, often rising each year |
| Federal credit value | Reflected in the price | None since 2026 | Kept by the owner |
| Who owns the equipment | Leasing company | You | Leasing company |
| Deadline | Must be in service by Dec 31, 2027 | None | Must be in service by Dec 31, 2027 for the credit |
| Availability with National Solar | PGE customers; Pacific Power soon | All Oregon utilities | Not offered |
Upfront cost
- Prepaid lease
- One payment
- Cash or loan purchase
- System price, or $0 down with a loan
- Monthly lease or PPA
- Usually $0
Monthly solar payment
- Prepaid lease
- None
- Cash or loan purchase
- None (cash) or fixed (loan)
- Monthly lease or PPA
- Yes, often rising each year
Federal credit value
- Prepaid lease
- Reflected in the price
- Cash or loan purchase
- None since 2026
- Monthly lease or PPA
- Kept by the owner
Who owns the equipment
- Prepaid lease
- Leasing company
- Cash or loan purchase
- You
- Monthly lease or PPA
- Leasing company
Deadline
- Prepaid lease
- Must be in service by Dec 31, 2027
- Cash or loan purchase
- None
- Monthly lease or PPA
- Must be in service by Dec 31, 2027 for the credit
Availability with National Solar
- Prepaid lease
- PGE customers; Pacific Power soon
- Cash or loan purchase
- All Oregon utilities
- Monthly lease or PPA
- Not offered
Terms, pricing and what's included vary by agreement. We review every line of the agreement with you before you sign.
Good fit
Who a prepaid lease makes sense for
If you plan to sell your home soon, or want to own the equipment outright, buying may still be the better choice. We'll show you both prices side by side.
PGE customers who want solar's savings and would rather not take on a loan.
Homeowners who would have used the 30% credit and want that value back.
Anyone who wants a system installed and operating before the end of 2027.
Three ways to go solar
$0 down options available. At your free estimate, we price each one against your current power bill.
Why Oregon chooses National Solar
One local team designs, installs, and services every system, backed by Oregon's top solar honors.
Oregon homeowners trust National Solar
Hundreds of 5-star reviews from Bend to the coast, from customers who chose a local team they can still call years after installation.
PGE customers
Get prepaid lease and purchase pricing for your home
We'll design your system and show prepaid lease and ownership pricing side by side. Pacific Power customers: ask to be notified when prepaid leases open in your area.
Prepaid solar lease questions
Straight answers from the local team.
Sources
Updated by the National Solar team.
- IRS: Clean Electricity Investment Credit (Section 48E)
- IRS: Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 25D)
National Solar is not a tax advisor. Federal credit eligibility depends on who owns the system, when construction begins and when it is placed in service. Confirm your situation with a tax professional. Incentive amounts vary by utility and income and are not guaranteed.