Sunlight Financial doesn’t publish a single “eligibility checklist” the way a mortgage lender does — its underwriting model is shaped by the specific loan program and capital provider behind each product. But the public requirements and what we’ve seen from reader-shared quotes give a clear picture of who qualifies and who doesn’t.
Minimum requirements at a glance
- Credit score: 650 FICO minimum for standard solar loans; 700+ for best APR tiers.
- Debt-to-income ratio: Generally capped near 50%, varies by capital provider.
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Age: 18 or older (some products require 21+).
- Home ownership: You must own the home where the system is installed.
- Property type: Single-family residence; some products extend to townhomes and approved condos.
- Income: Stated income at point-of-sale, documentation may be requested on conditional approvals.
- Installer: The project must be quoted by a Sunlight network contractor.
Credit score — what each tier qualifies for
The 650 floor is firm. Below it, you’ll typically be declined for a loan and may be offered the lease program instead. Above it, the tier you fall into determines which APR you see.
- FICO 740+: Best promotional tiers (0.00%–1.99% with dealer fee).
- FICO 700–739: Strong mid-tier APRs (2.99%–3.99%).
- FICO 650–699: Higher-tier APRs (4.99%–6.99%).
- FICO 600–649: Usually declined; lease may be offered.
- FICO <600: Not eligible; alternative financing required.
Debt-to-income (DTI) limits
Sunlight calculates DTI using your monthly debt obligations (including the new solar loan payment) divided by gross monthly income. The cap is generally around 50%, though some capital providers apply a 45% overlay. The DTI calculation includes:
- Mortgage or rent
- Auto loans
- Student loans (estimated monthly)
- Credit card minimums
- The proposed solar loan payment
Documentation Sunlight may request
The initial point-of-sale approval is stated-income with a soft credit pull. On conditional approvals or larger loan amounts, Sunlight (or its capital provider) may request:
- Two most recent pay stubs (W-2 employees)
- Two years of tax returns and 1099s (self-employed)
- Proof of homeownership (deed, mortgage statement, or property tax bill)
- Government-issued photo ID
- Utility bill matching the install address
Property requirements for solar loans specifically
- Owned, not leased. Renters don’t qualify.
- Roof condition. If your roof needs replacement, most lenders require it be done before or bundled with the solar install.
- No active liens on the panels. If you previously had a leased system, the lease must be transferred or removed.
- HOA approval if applicable.
- Utility company approval for net metering (varies by state).
If you don’t qualify
Borrowers under the 650 FICO floor still have options:
- The Sunlight–IGS solar lease. Lower credit thresholds, no loan on your credit report.
- A co-signer. Some Sunlight products accept co-signers, but availability varies.
- Local credit unions. Often more flexible than national lenders.
- HELOC. If you have home equity, a HELOC is credit-tier-flexible and often cheaper.
- PACE financing. Property-assessed Clean Energy financing attaches to your property tax bill and uses different qualification criteria — but carries its own risks at home sale.