Know Before You Sign

Solar Purchase vs. Third Party

Ownership, financing, leasing, and PPAs all put panels on your roof, but they have very different outcomes for your wallet, your home's value, and your freedom to sell.

National Solar

Cash Purchase

Full ownership. Maximum return. No monthly payments.

$0/mo after install

National Solar

Loan Financing

Own your system. Fixed payment. Often lower than your current bill.

5.99% APR 20-yr fixed · $0 down available

Third Party

Solar Lease

You rent the system. The company owns it and keeps the incentives.

Escalates typically 1–3%/yr

Third Party

PPA

Pay per kWh. Rates escalate. Company owns system and benefits.

Escalates typically 2–3%/yr

Scroll to compare all options

	Cash	Loan 5.99%	Lease	PPA
Ownership & Incentives
You own the systemAsset on your property	✓ Yes	✓ Yes	✕ No	✕ No
Oregon state incentivesRebates & net metering credits	✓ Full access	✓ Full access	✕ Limited or none	✕ Limited or none
Home value increaseAppraisal impact at sale	✓ Yes	✓ Yes	✕ No	✕ No
Costs & Payments
Monthly paymentAfter installation	Base utility fee+ residual costs from utility	Fixed loan payment+ residual costs from utility	Fixed lease paymentescalates annually	Per kWh rateescalates annually
Rate locked inProtection from future increases	✓ Forever	✓ 20 years fixed	⚠ Escalates 1–3%/yr	⚠ Escalates 2–3%/yr
20-year costTotal out of pocket	Lowest	Low — fixed	High — escalating	Highest — escalating
Upfront costRequired at signing	Full system costless rebates & incentives	$0 down available	$0	$0
When You Sell Your Home
Impact on home saleBuyer experience	✓ Adds value	✓ Pay off or transfer	✕ Buyer must assume lease	✕ Buyer must assume PPA
Buyout optionIf you want to exit	✓ Already own it	✓ Pay off balance anytime	✕ Inflated buyout price	✕ Complex & expensive
Deals that fall throughBuyers who walk away	✓ Not an issue	✓ Not an issue	✕ Common problem	✕ Common problem
Service & Support
Workmanship warrantyInstallation & labor coverage	✓ 10 years	✓ 10 years	⚠ Varies by company	⚠ Varies by company
Panel manufacturer warrantyEquipment defect coverage	✓ 25 years	✓ 25 years	⚠ Varies by company	⚠ Varies by company
Battery manufacturer warrantyStorage system coverage	✓ 15 years	✓ 15 years	⚠ Varies by company	⚠ Varies by company
Who handles serviceWhen something needs attention	✓ Local Oregon team	✓ Local Oregon team	✕ National call center	✕ National call center

✓ Why ownership wins long-term

You keep all available state incentives and Oregon rebates — they stay with you, not the installer
Once paid off, your only costs are the base utility charge plus any residual power you pull from the grid
If financing, your payment is fixed for 20 years while grid rates keep climbing — the savings gap grows every year
Owned solar adds real, appraised value to your home — lease/PPA systems do not
Oregon-based service — same team that installed it is who you call, every time

✕ What leasing companies don't tell you

They keep all available tax credits and incentives — not you
Lease payments typically escalate 1–3% per year — same problem as the grid you were trying to escape
Up to 40–70% of buyers won't assume a solar lease — it can slow or kill your home sale
Buyout prices are set at inflated "fair market value," not what the system is actually worth
Customer service runs through national call centers with no local accountability

Solar Purchase vs. Third Party

See what solar would cost you—and what you could stop paying.