Solar Leasing for Residential Photovoltaic Systems

National Renewable Energy Laboratoy, February 2009.

The emergence of the solar lease has created a new model to finance the cost of a residential photovoltaic (PV) system, particularly in markets with good PV incentives. This document, prepared by NREL, examines the solar lease option for residential PV systems and describes two solar lease programs already in place: 1) SolarCity, based in Foster City, California, is actively marketing its solar lease program in California, Oregon, and Arizona (SolarCity 2008) and 2) Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) – CT Solar Lease Program, offering a zero down-payment lease with a 15-year initial term to CT homeowners.

Link to the Document (pdf): http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy09osti/43572.pdf