Whether you want the lowest upfront cost or the highest long-term savings, we offer multiple payment options to make going solar simple and affordable.
A third-party pays for the equipment and installation. You simply pay for the power your system produces at a lower rate than your current utility bill.
No upfront payment
Lease: Fixed monthly payment for equipment
PPA: Fixed or variable rate for solar power
Financing partner
Own your system from day one with $0-down financing and predictable monthly payments.
$0 down available
Stable monthly payments compared to the utility
Monthly payments until the loan is fully paid
You own the system
Buy your system outright and receive the maximum long-term savings. Once installed, your solar power is completely free.
Highest lifetime savings
Full ownership and full control
Protection from long-term utility rate increases
You own the system
Actual savings will vary for each customer based on energy usage, system size, utility rates, and eligibility for local or state incentives. Solar production depends on factors such as weather, shading, and roof conditions, and may change over time. You will continue to receive a utility bill in addition to any solar payment, lease payment, or PPA charge. Utility rate increases or changes in policy may impact your long-term savings.
Sunwise Energy LLC is not a lender and does not make credit decisions. While we partner with financing providers to offer solar loan and payment options, all loan approvals, terms, and conditions are determined solely by the lender.
Sunwise Energy LLC does not guarantee specific savings, production outcomes, or financial returns.
$0-down financing removes the biggest practical barrier to going solar: the upfront cost. You pay nothing at signing, installation, or activation. Your first payment begins after the system is producing power.
Two structures qualify:
Both options preserve your cash on hand and start reducing your monthly electricity cost from day one.
Compare Solar Incentives, Financing Options, and Long-Term Savings Across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Financing is the same product across state lines. The economics shift based on the local incentive stack.
Strongest incentives in the region. SuSI ADI pays $85/MWh for 15 years, plus a 100% property tax exemption and full sales tax exemption. These flow to the system owner, which favors loans and cash over lease and PPA.
No property or sales tax exemption, but SRECs and retail-rate net metering from PECO, PPL, Penelec, and Met-Ed offset rising utility rates. The case for ownership remains strong for Pennsylvania homeowners statewide.
One of the most overlooked incentive stacks in the country. The Delmarva Green Energy rebate pays up to $6,000 upfront, plus SRECs and full retail net metering. No state sales tax on equipment. Favors loan or cash structures.
Sunwise provides transparent solar financing options with clear terms and no surprises. We help you compare payment plans, understand incentives, and choose the best long-term investment for your home. Our team handles everything from application support to installation scheduling.
“They were friendly, polite, happy to answer questions and told us exactly what to expect. They were able to resolve a problem caused by another installer quickly and efficiently. Santiago was easy to deal with. Recommend without reservations.”
Maria M.
Philadelphia, PA
“The hookup was done in 5 days … the system works great and helping me with electric bills. My bill averages at about 20 to 40 dollars it depends on how cloudy the month has been. Will recommend this company to my friends and family”
William H.
Carnegie, PA
“We had an issue with the initial install, however they quickly corrected the mistake and made everything right. I feel this says more about the company than a perfect install”
John W.
Centre County, PA
The four solar payment options trade off upfront cost, ownership, and lifetime savings differently. Here is how they compare.
| Feature | Most popular Lease / PPA Lower bills, hands-off | Solar Loan Own your system, $0 down | Cash Purchase Maximum savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | $0 down standard | $0 down available | Full system cost paid upfront |
| Ownership | Financing partner owns it | You own the system | You own the system |
| Monthly payment | Lease fee or per-kWh PPA rate | Predictable fixed loan payment | None |
| State incentives (SRECs, SuSI, rebates) | Go to the financing partner | You keep them | You keep them |
| Maintenance | Financing partner | Homeowner covered under warranty | Homeowner covered under warranty |
| Lifetime savings | Lowest of the three options | More than a lease, less than paying cash | Highest of the three options |
| Best fit | Homeowners who want lower bills with no maintenance | Owners who want full benefits with zero upfront cost | Buyers who want the highest savings and pay no interest |
There are four solar financing options: a solar loan (you own the system, pay monthly), a lease (a financing partner owns it, you pay monthly), a PPA (you pay per kWh produced), and a cash purchase. Loans and cash purchases keep the state incentives in your pocket. Leases and PPAs transfer those incentives to the financing partner.
$0-down solar financing lets you install a solar system with no upfront payment. With a $0-down loan, monthly payments begin after activation and are designed to be lower than the utility bill being replaced. With a $0-down lease or PPA, a financing partner owns the system and you pay only for the power produced.
Yes, homeowners with lower credit scores can often qualify for a solar lease or PPA, which carry more flexible requirements than ownership loans. Loans typically require a credit score in the mid-600s; leases and PPAs may accept lower because the financing partner retains the asset.
Most legitimate solar financing requires a credit check. Some lease and PPA programs use a soft pull rather than a full hard pull. Be cautious of any program marketed as truly no credit check, since those offers are rare and often carry unfavorable terms.
A cash purchase delivers the highest lifetime savings because there are no financing costs and you capture every incentive. A solar loan is second because you still own the system and keep all incentives. A lease or PPA generates the lowest lifetime savings because the financing partner retains the incentives.
Most solar loan programs require a credit score between 640 and 680. Higher scores typically unlock lower rates and longer terms. Sunwise works with multiple lenders, so an application declined by one may be approved by another. Lower-score applicants often qualify more easily for a lease or PPA.
With a solar loan, you can pay off the balance at closing or transfer the loan to the buyer if the lender allows. Leases and PPAs typically transfer to the new homeowner. An owned system generally adds resale value; a lease or PPA can complicate a sale if buyers are unfamiliar with the contract.
Solar loan interest is generally not tax deductible unless the loan is secured by your home (a HELOC or home equity loan used for solar). Unsecured solar loans, the most common type, do not qualify for the mortgage interest deduction. Consult a tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.
Yes. Utility rates in PA, NJ, and DE continue to rise faster than solar financing costs. NJ pays $85/MWh through SuSI ADI for 15 years on top of net metering. PA homeowners earn SRECs and net meter against PECO, PPL, and Met-Ed. DE offers up to $6,000 in Delmarva rebates plus SRECs and net metering.
The 30% federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired on December 31, 2025. State and utility incentives remain active: NJ SuSI ADI ($85/MWh for 15 years) plus property and sales tax exemptions; PA SRECs and net metering; DE Green Energy rebates ($0.70/watt up to $6,000) plus SRECs and net metering. Commercial ITC (Section 48E) remains available through July 4, 2026.
A lease charges a monthly rate for the equipment regardless of production. A PPA charges a per-kilowatt-hour rate only for the electricity the system actually generates. Leases offer more predictable monthly billing; PPAs more closely track real production. Both involve a financing partner who retains the state incentives.
Most solar loans allow early payoff without prepayment penalties, but terms vary by lender. Some homeowners with longer terms make extra principal payments to reduce total interest. Confirm prepayment terms with your specific lender before signing.
