We are a consumer defense and connection service, not an installer.

Our service is 100% free for homeowners or consumers because we are paid a referral fee by our solar partners in our network to connect them with educated, qualified homeowners only if and when you choose to move forward with a project. This allows us to remain unbiased.

Partners don't have to spend millions on aggressive door-knocking teams or spam call centers; they can often offer lower rates through our platform. You get the best price; we get paid by the partner; you pay nothing for our advocacy.

We are extremely selective. We only work with installers and financing partners who are:

1. Compliance Verified: They must adhere to the 2026 SEIA Solar Business Code.

2. Technically Certified: Licensed for both roofing and solar installations to ensure warranty integrity. We also prioritize partners who use top-rated, bankable hardware rather than generic, white-label equipment.

3. Financially Stable: They must show stability to ensure they will be around to honor warranties and be capable of offering Third-Party Ownership (TPO) products that utilize the Section 48E corporate tax credit.

4. Reputation Audit: We verify their licenses, insurance, and customer satisfaction scores.

Our network includes top-rated local solar installers, roofing-integrated solar specialists, and EPCs (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) who specialize in both residential and commercial projects depending on your needs. Our network includes:

Residential Specialists: Experts in home energy and battery backup.

Commercial Strategists: Firms that handle complex business incentives and depreciation schedules.

Dual-Licensed Contractors: Partners who are licensed in both Roofing and Solar, allowing for seamless integrated installations.

The Solar Prime does not handle payments, but our network partners offer a full suite of financial tools, including Cash, Solar Loans, Prepaid, Bridge Loans, and all available options for the 2026 market like the following:

1. Rate Protection Plans (PPA/Lease): This is the most popular choice in 2026. You pay $0 down and simply swap your utility bill for a lower, fixed solar rate. The provider handles all maintenance.

Important Note: Because the residential tax credit expired in 2025, most homeowners now prefer Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) or Solar Leases if available. This allows the provider to claim the corporate tax credit (Section 48E) and pass the savings to you in the form of a lower rate. The Corporate Tax Credit (Section 48E) is still applicable as long as construction begins before July 4, 2026.

2. Cash/Loan: Available for those who want to own the asset outright. (Federal Tax Credits no longer being offered due to expiration on December 31, 2025)

We also partner with companies that can purchase your Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) upfront in eligible markets (like Illinois), effectively paying for a portion of your system on Day 1.

It all depends on your financial capability or preferences. However, we encourage homeowners to explore ownership whenever possible. While we encourage ownership to maximize asset value, Leases and PPAs (Power Purchase Agreements) have evolved to offer more freedom.

1. For Cash: Systems typically range from $20,000 to $50,000, depending on size and battery needs. Since there is no longer a federal tax rebate for homeowners, we recommend getting a custom savings analysis to see which path saves you more.

2. Standard PPA/Lease: The cost is often $0 upfront. You simply pay a monthly rate for power that is lower than your utility. This solar provider can also claim the corporate tax credit (Section 48E) and pass the savings to you in the form of a lower rate. You pay for the power, not the panels. This includes 25 years of full maintenance and insurance, which appeals to many homeowners who want a "hands-off" experience.

Important Note: PPAs are not available in some states (like Florida).

3. Prepaid PPA/Lease: You pay for the system upfront (like a cash deal, usually 60-70% upfront) to avoid monthly bills and interest, but you retain the "bumper-to-bumper" maintenance coverage of a lease or PPA This solar provider can also claim the corporate tax credit (Section 48E) and pass the savings to you in the form of a discount (not guaranteed but can be your option).

Buyout Options: For prepaid PPA or prepaid leases, modern agreements include a "Buyout Clause" (typically starting at Year 5), allowing you to purchase the system and take full ownership later if your financial situation changes.

Important Note: Your assessment specialist will model all these scenarios—Cash, Loan, Monthly PPA, and Prepaid—so you can choose the path that wins.

Expensive compared to what? Continuing to rent power from the utility monopoly is the most expensive option because the cost is infinite—you pay forever, rates rise ~4% to ~10% a year, and you own nothing at the end.

Solar is a fixed asset. In many cases, monthly solar payments may be comparable to or lower than your current electric bill, depending on system size, local incentives, and utility rates.

Federal Incentives may be available depending on system ownership, installation timing, and your tax liability.

1. Homeowners (Section 25D): The personal 30% tax credit for buying solar expired on Dec 31, 2025.

2. The Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credit (Section 48E): Businesses can still claim a 30% credit. This is why we recommend leases or PPAs, because the solar company claims this business credit and passes the value to you in the form of a lower monthly electricity rate.

Important Update: For the Section 48E tax credit, the key deadline is having the construction start before July 4, 2026 to be eligible for the tax credit.

3. State-specific Incentives: State incentives vary significantly (e.g., SRECs in Illinois vs. Property Tax Exemptions in Texas). Your assessment specialist will review the specific incentives currently applicable to your situation, or go the link here for the full resource per state.

Do it together. The worst mistake you can make is putting a 25-year solar system on a 15-year roof. If you need a roof, we will pair you with one of our Dual-Licensed Roofing Partners.

Important Note on Taxes: Standard roof replacements are generally not eligible for solar tax incentives. However, integrated solar roofing (where the solar is the roof) may have different eligibility. Always consult a tax professional.

Solar panels sleep at night. You will pull power from one of two sources:

1. The Battery Method: Your panels fill up a battery during the day, and you run off that stored energy at night.

2. The Grid Method: If you don't have a battery, you seamlessly switch back to utility power (and pay their rates). This is why a battery is key to "Rate Protection." Otherwise, you pull power from the grid at night. If your utility offers net billing/metering, the energy you exported during the day may appear as credits on your bill to offset this cost.

Solar panels are durable and typically last 25-30 years.

If you choose a PPA or Lease, the system includes a performance guarantee, meaning if a part breaks or underperforms in Year 15, the provider fixes it at their cost, not yours.