Compare cash price with financed amount
Do not compare only monthly payment. Review principal, interest or finance charges, term, prepayment provisions and the total amount paid.
Ownership brings responsibilities
Confirm warranties, monitoring, maintenance expectations, insurance considerations and the parties responsible for service.
Treat incentives as eligibility-dependent
Tax benefits depend on current law and the homeowner’s circumstances. Confirm them with a qualified tax professional rather than counting them as guaranteed savings.
Ask for two prices for the same scope
Request the cash price and financed price for identical equipment and work. Compare the amount financed, interest rate, term, total scheduled payments and any dealer or origination costs reflected in the offer. A low advertised rate alone does not establish the lowest total cost.
Understand payment changes
Some loan offers contain assumptions about a later principal payment or a scheduled payment change. Ask for the complete amortization and payment schedule. Do not assume a federal residential credit will fund a lump-sum payment for a new 2026 installation.
Cash ownership changes cash flow
Paying cash avoids loan payments but uses funds that could have other purposes. Compare the full installed price and reasonable ongoing service assumptions. A sales proposal should not promise a guaranteed investment return or assume all future equipment costs are zero.
Ownership includes responsibilities
A purchaser owns the equipment and must understand monitoring, warranties, maintenance and repair channels. Manufacturer, contractor and battery warranties can have different terms. Keep installation records and a plan for addressing issues after the original sales process ends.
Sources and further reading
Primary documents checked for this guide. Program rules and signed agreements govern your project.
Apply this to your California home
Compare the matching $0 down solar in California page, the Axia by Qcells pathway and Qcells equipment. Local permit and utility questions are covered in our Irvine, Anaheim and Orange County pages.