---
title: "Solar Financing Options"
description: "Two paths to solar, $0-down PPA or cash purchase. We don't offer loans. About 95% of customers go PPA, 5% pay cash."
url: https://www.lifestylesolar.com/solar-financing
type: marketing
---
# Solar Financing Options

Going solar doesn't require a big upfront investment. We offer two paths: a $0-down PPA or a cash purchase. We don't push loans, and we don't offer them.

## $0-down PPA (Power Purchase Agreement)

About **95%** of our customers go this route.

- $0 upfront, no equipment to buy
- Fixed monthly rate designed to beat your utility bill
- System owner handles installation, monitoring, and any repairs
- Typically backed by a 25-year, 90% production guarantee
- A third-party owner (such as Lightreach) owns and maintains the system on your roof; you pay a predictable monthly rate for the power it produces

## Cash purchase

About **5%** of our customers go this route.

- You own the system outright
- No monthly payment to a third party
- PA cash buyers earn SREC income (Ohio's SREC market is much weaker)
- Can claim any state-level incentives that pass through to the owner
- Adds value to your home

Neither option is automatically better, it depends on your goals.

## How it works

1. **Free consultation**, we review your energy usage, design a system, and walk you through both options.
2. **Choose your path**, pick the one that fits your budget and goals.
3. **Quick approval**, for PPA, our financing partners run a credit check during your consultation. Approval is typically instant.
4. **Project kicks off**, after approval (or signing your cash agreement), we handle permitting, utility coordination, and system blueprints. Typically 30-120 days from contract to activation depending on local jurisdiction.

## What to expect

- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
- Clear breakdown of costs and savings
- Fixed monthly PPA rate or one-time cash payment
- Real production estimates based on your actual roof
- Everything explained in plain language

## Note on the federal tax credit

As of January 1, 2026, homeowners no longer receive a federal solar tax credit. Federal incentives now flow only to TPO financiers, meaning they're already baked into PPA pricing. Cash buyers should not expect a federal credit on their 2026+ taxes.

[See your options →](/get-a-quote)