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Choosing the best way to purchase your solar system

With so many options to finance a solar energy project, which one is best for you? Learn more about specific advantages of different finanicng choices in Florida, and compare to decide for yourslef.

Solar can generate an attractive ROI

Going solar can be a smart money move, offering a solid 14% or more return on your investment. If you pay for your solar project in cash, you can look forward to a tax credit next tax season. If the credit’s more than you owe in taxes, don’t worry! You can roll it over to the next year. Plus, the money you save on electric bills will keep adding up, especially as utility rates go up.

Slash your bills, keep your savings!

 

After making a decision to go solar, the next step is finding a good financing option. The vast majority of homeowners will not pay cash for their solar system and will finance it with zero downpayment. Even with over 3 million residential solar installations across the United States, the solar industry is continuing to mature and grow at an exponential pace.
This is because financing solar energy systems is a faster, easier, and more cost-effective means of going solar than ever before. Solar payment offsets another liability (electric bill) and therefore does not increase the cost of home ownership.

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Let’s go over some of the common financing options available in Florida

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Solar Loan
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Home Refinance
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Solar Lease
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PACE
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Solar Loan

Reasons to consider a solar loan. A household with a $260/month electric bill will pay $3,120/year, assuming there are no rate hikes. The national average electric rate inflation over the last 25 years is ~3.5%. This means that this same household will pay a whopping $122,692 dollars for electricity in the next 25 years, with zero ROI.

More about solar loans

Readily Available and Affordable. Solar Loans are the most common tool to go solar, typically aiming for what is commonly referred to in the industry as a “Bill Swapout.” This means that the solar savings will fully offset the post-tax credit solar loan, resulting in a cashflow-neutral advantage.

Instantly pays for itself. This is typically an easy decision for a homeowner because the benefits are clear: no change in homeownership costs while increasing the property value and generating clean electricity. The loan payment is fixed, and utility rates keep rising, resulting in ever-increasing monthly savings.

Warranty-Matching Lifecycle. The typical term at the time of this writing is 25 years, which matches the warranty on most major components.

Fixed Interest Rate. Solar Loan Interest Rate at the time of this writing is roughly ~8.5%. It is important to note that while the homeowner is paying interest on the solar loan, they are offsetting another expense by doing so, the interest rate should not be considered an additional expense or place the burden in the same way, say, the credit card debt would.

Can be tricky when it comes to rate buy-downs. Be wary of low-interest buy-down loans. Some contractors will manipulate the sales price to show a lower interest rate on the surface. A lower rate doesn’t always save money. If you sell your home, you may face a larger loan balance to pay off. Compare loan options carefully, especially since families often move every 7 years.

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Home Refinance

Lowest Possible Payment. When financing or refinancing your home, if solar is included in the mortgage, it is typically the absolute lowest-cost option to finance your solar system.

Finance it before you build it. Installation of the PV system takes place after closing. It is that simple. For FHA mortgages, there is an option to provide funds to install solar through FHA’s Solar and Wind Technologies Program. These additional PV funds are limited to 20% of the home value.

Maximizing positive cashflow. For the solar project example above, the system would only cost about $190/month. This means that the solar is making it’s own monthly payment, leaving $70/month in your pocket. What could you do with extra $840 it saves in the first year alone?

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Solar Lease

PPM does not recommend solar leases that are currently offered in Florida due to economic disadvantages. In the rest of the country, solar lease is a way to go solar without having to own the solar panels.

Disadvantages:

  • More expensive than the Loan
  • You don’t own your solar system
  • Subordinates the Tax Credit to third-party finance
  • In some cases, more challenging to sell the home, as the lease payoff is typically significantly higher

Advantages:

  • No liability/maintenance for the solar system
  • No payments if they don’t produce (in some cases)
  • No need to file for tax credit (because you are not eligible)

Net Metering

Don’t wait. Securing net metering, if it is still available, should be an urgent priority if you are considering moving forward with the solar project. Utilities will typically grandfather in all existing net metering agreements during a policy change.

 

It’s going away as we speak. Net Metering is disappearing state-by state, utility-by-utility nationwide, as utilities use this tactic as a new way of combatting solar energy and reduce competitive pressure from rooftop solar.

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PACE Financing

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) is a solar financing option that attaches the bank-provided solar loan to property taxes of the home where it is installed. It was created at the time when access to conventional solar financing was limited, and additional securitization was required. Today, it is less advantageous compared to a conventional loan both with respect to interest rate and qualification process.

In addition, it leaves an assessment on the property taxes until the loan is paid off, making it, in some cases, harder to sell the home. PPM no longer offers PACE for these reasons.

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Federal tax credit

Residential. Under the new rules, the 30% Residential tax credit has been extended until the end of 2032, decreasing to 26% in 2033, and down to 22% in 2034.

Additionally, IRS has recently changed the guidelines to allow homeowners to claim the tax credit partially if needed, and carry it forward.

 

Commercial. In addition to 30% Investment Tax Credit, business are also eligible for Bonus MACRS (accelerated depreciation). At the time of this writing, according to Energy.Gov, solar projects are eligible for 100% Bonus depreciation. Typically, for a business that has the sufficient tax burden, this would mean that 50% or more can be covered by tax incentives.

 

Nonprofit and Government. 

According to the new rules provisioned in IRA legislation, nonprofit and government institutions can receive a refundable 30% tax credit for going solar. While the industry is still waiting on the guidance from Treasury and IRS for filing and receipt of Direct Pay. “Direct pay is a game-changer for our ability to spread the benefits of clean energy to every community in America,” said John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for Clean Energy Innovation and Implementation.

Our Solar Projects in North Central Florida

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Residential project in GRU territory
Saves $564 a month
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Local commercial project
Saves ~$11.526 a month
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Local residential solar + storage project
Saves ~$230 a month

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the interest rate for solar loans in Florida?

Solar loans offered today are generally about one point above the prime interest rate, making them an affordable option to finance solar.

Can you finance solar panels in Florida?

Yes, and PPM can help you apply for some of the most competitive options out there. We make this process quick and easy for the future solar owners.

What is the 30% Tax Credit for solar panels in Florida?

As mentioned above, the Solar Tax Credit is an opportunity to offset 30% of the total cost of the project by filing for a tax credit, which is a dollar-to-dollar liability offset, and not just a deduction. However, it is important to remember that to take advantage of the credit, one would need to have a tax liability to offset.

How long do solar panels take to pay for themselves in Florida?

Payback time for solar investment can vary based on sector, project complexity and size, and the utility rate. A solar system for a typical home in Florida will fully pay for itself in approximately 7 years, providing 18 more years of free electricity under a typical solar panel warranty. If upfront investment is not desirable, a financing option can be a better choice.

Can you sell back solar energy in Florida?

Your solar system first powers your home. Any extra energy can either go to the utility grid or be stored in optional batteries. This direct use of solar energy is called “Self-Consumption.” On average, a home uses about 40% of its solar energy, while the rest is exchanged with the utility company. You get credit for this excess energy, but you’ll also buy it back when needed. Utilities require your solar system to match your energy needs, not exceed them.

What type of loan is best for solar?

When financing a home, it is always better to roll solar into the mortgage. A conventional no-fee, no pre-payment penalty loan is the close second-best option. PPM offers several options that match those requirements.

Does Florida offer any solar incentives?

Yes! Florida exempts solar from Sales Tax (all projects) and Property Tax (for residential projects). So homeowners have the opportunity to add equity to their home without having to pay property taxes on it.

In Addition, Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) does require Investor-Owned utilities to comply with the state-wide Net-Metering Policy. This may change in the near future, but still remains the law of the land at the time of this writing.

Do banks give loans for solar panels in Florida?

Yes, and there are some that originated right here in the state, and are very purpose-driven to land for solar projects. Please contact us for more information.

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