With a solar Loan Agreement, you purchase a solar energy system from Vivint Solar through a third-party finance partner, and your loan provider is responsible for your billing for the solar energy system. Because of this, you’ll get two bills: one from your utility company for the energy you consume, and one from your loan provider for the payments for the solar energy system.
Because you purchase the solar energy system from us, you have the benefit of owning the system outright and any power it may produce. This may be beneficial for you because it means you’re making payments towards a complete system, which may be cheaper than leasing it from us at a set market rate or buying the power from us at a variable market rate. Though we do not guarantee any production outputs for the system, the contract you sign with us may include maintenance for the system. This also means that we can and will address any issues, should they arise, and help you figure out a solution for them.
This also means that you may be eligible for any tax credits* that may come to you because you own and operate your own solar energy system.
Additional questions about our solar Loan Agreement
How do I know if a solar Loan Agreement is the right financing plan for me?
- Am I in a position where I can qualify for a solar loan?
- Would I rather receive a set monthly payment from a solar loan provider or (depending on the coverage in my area) would I be in a better position to simply buy the power from Vivint Solar at a variable market rate.
- Do I live in an area where there are specific constraints from my utility/county when it comes to signing a solar Loan Agreement?
- I can afford to invest in a long-term, financially beneficial asset and thus avoid another recurring bill on my budget?
- Do I want to own my own solar energy system, and thus maximize the financial benefits that come with signing a solar Loan Agreement, as opposed to simply benefitting from the production of the solar energy system, like I would with a Solar Lease Agreement or Solar PPA?
- Do I live in an area where I may be able to potentially benefit from a solar tax credit because I own my own system?
- If I move, can I potentially increase the market value of my home by installing a solar panel system and then selling my home at a higher rate?
Depending on how you answer each question, you may be a perfect candidate for a solar Loan Agreement. Be sure to check the coverage options in your area to ensure you live in a place that will allow you to sign a solar Loan Agreement.
What is the average cost of a solar energy system?
Because Vivint Solar custom designs your solar energy system, it’s actually hard to indicate the cost of a solar energy system for you—even an average one. Other places may make a blanketed statement like, “Oh, anywhere from $15,000-$30,000,” but we don’t feel that’s accurate either. Depending on the type of system you get and the rates in your area, the overall cost could be much more or less than that. The truth is that so many things go into the cost of a solar energy system (the size of your home, the size of your roof, your energy consumption as a household, the utility requirements in your area, the rates in your area, your electrical setup, etc.) that it’s not actually beneficial to answer that question for you. Instead, we recommend that you reach out to one of our solar experts and first get an idea of whether or not your home is even a good fit for solar. If it is, then a consultant will go over pricing options for you based on the various factors we’ve already indicated above. It really is the best option, because we feel that the variables associated with the cost of a solar energy system range too widely to be deduced to a single answer, and we don’t want to waste your time with ambiguity.
What happens if my solar energy system breaks or stops working?
With a solar Loan Agreement, you get the benefit of owning your system outright, which means you are responsible for maintaining it. Now, keep in mind that solar equipment is durable and comes with warranties that you’ll be able to utilize if there is a problem. We also offer maintenance plans that you may be able to purchase, if you choose not to do the work yourself. We’ve also created a Help Center for our solar homeowners to go to if they ever run up against an issue with their system. This eliminates the need for you to spend unnecessary time on the phone with a Vivint Solar representative. But, if you are someone who likes to connect with people, we have a Technical Support team that is dedicated to helping solar homeowners with issues that may arise regarding their solar energy system, free of charge.
Are there other benefits to financing with a solar Loan Agreement?
Are there ever! Check out some of these cool perks you may get from signing a solar Loan Agreement:
- Shorter time to activation. We know it may sound odd, but by signing a solar Loan Agreement, you could potentially shave several months off the time it takes to install and activate your solar energy system. That’s a quicker turnaround for you to start potentially saving with solar, and less for you to worry about. - Potentially lower utility bill. Because you own your own system, you won’t need to make a monthly payment to Vivint Solar, and all that delicious renewable energy may make a huge impact on your utility bill. Again, your potential savings is based on your current utility rate, but putting power back into the grid still opens the door for a lower monetary outcome in terms of your utility payment. - No filing notice. With a Solar PPA or Solar Lease Agreement, we own the system, which means we’ll reach out to your local jurisdiction and place a filing notice on your home indicating that the solar energy system belongs to us. With a solar Loan Agreement, you don’t have to worry about that. You own the system, which means it’s completely yours. No pesky paperwork for you to deal with if you ever intend to sell.
Compare our other solar plans
*Warranty refers to solar panels. Refer to your customer agreement for all warranty terms and conditions. Plan availability varies by area and utility.
Meet other homeowners that are already powering their home their way
*Tax incentives subject to area and availability. Vivint Solar does not offer tax advice. Please consult with a tax professional for details.
** Refer to customer agreement installation and warranty terms and conditions. Installation requirements vary on a house-by-house basis.