Sunlight Financial Solar Lease 2026 (with IGS Solar)

In April 2024, Sunlight Financial partnered with IGS Solar to launch a residential solar lease program — its first major offering after restructuring. The lease is structured as a long-term agreement (typically 20–25 years) where IGS owns the system, captures the federal Investment Tax Credit, and you pay a fixed monthly lease that’s usually less than your old electric bill.

How the lease works

The mechanics are straightforward:

No money down. The system is installed at no upfront cost to you.
Monthly lease payment. You pay a fixed amount, typically 10%–30% less than your previous electric bill.
Annual escalator. Most leases include a small annual increase (often 0%–2.9%) to the lease payment.
You buy the power, not the system. IGS owns the panels, inverter, and equipment for the lease term.
End-of-term options. At the end of the lease (usually year 20 or 25), you can typically renew, buy the system at fair market value, or have IGS remove it.

Lease vs. loan: who owns what

	Solar loan	Solar lease
Who owns the system	You	IGS Solar
Federal tax credit	You claim it	IGS claims it
Upfront cost	$0 (financed)	$0
Monthly cost	Loan payment	Lease payment
Credit check	Standard (650+ FICO)	Less stringent
Effect on home sale	Loan must be paid off or transferred	Lease must be transferred to buyer
Maintenance	Your responsibility	IGS’s responsibility
Lifetime cost	Loan + interest	Lease + annual escalator

When the lease makes sense

You can’t use the federal tax credit (low federal tax liability)
Your credit doesn’t qualify for a competitive loan APR
You want zero maintenance responsibility
You value monthly cash-flow savings over long-term ownership

When the lease costs you

You forgo the tax credit (worth thousands)
Annual escalators compound — a 2.9% escalator over 25 years roughly doubles your monthly payment
Selling your home requires transferring the lease, which can complicate the sale
You don’t own an appreciating asset on your roof

Over 25 years, a solar lease with a 2.9% annual escalator can cost you 60%–80% of what cash purchase would — but with none of the equity.

Our take

The Sunlight–IGS lease fills a real gap: it gives credit-constrained or low-tax-liability homeowners a path to solar without a loan or upfront cost. But it’s rarely the lowest lifetime-cost option. If you can use the tax credit and qualify for a loan, ownership almost always wins. If you can’t, the lease can be a reasonable cash-flow trade — provided you understand the escalator and the home-sale implications.

Solar lease questions, answered.

What's the difference between a solar lease and a solar loan?

A solar lease lets you use panels owned by a third party in exchange for a fixed monthly payment, typically over 15–25 years. You don't own the system, can't claim the federal tax credit, and the lessor handles maintenance. A solar loan finances panels you own from day one — you claim the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit, build home equity, and own the system free and clear after the loan is paid off.

Can I buy out my solar lease early?

Yes, most solar leases include a buyout clause, usually at year 5, 7, 10, or 15. The buyout price is set at lease signing as a percentage of fair market value or on a fixed schedule. Early-year buyouts (years 5–7) typically cost $15,000–$25,000 on a residential system. After year 15, buyouts often drop to $1,000–$5,000. Check your specific contract for exact buyout pricing.

Does a solar lease affect my home's value?

Possibly, and unpredictably. Lawrence Berkeley National Lab research shows owned solar adds 3%–4% to home value on average. Leased systems are mixed — some buyers see them as a benefit (predictable energy bill), others as a liability (assuming someone else's contract). The lessor's role is the key complication: buyers must qualify with the lease company at closing, which can delay or kill a sale. Owned-system loans transfer cleanly.

Who owns the solar panels on a lease?

The leasing company owns the panels for the entire lease term. You're paying for the right to use them and the electricity they generate. The lessor — typically a tax-equity investor — claims the federal Investment Tax Credit and depreciation benefits, which is partly how they offer below-market lease rates. At lease end, you can usually buy the system at fair market value, renew the lease, or have the panels removed.

The Sunlight Financial solar lease program.