Solar Rent-to-Own vs Solar Finance? A common question amongst solar shoppers and a contentious issue amongst Solar PV installers and Solar lease to own professionals.
The difference between a solar rent-to-own system and financing a solar system is simple.
- Solar rent-to-own: The system is leased
- Solar Finance: The system is owned by you outright
How to finance your hybrid solar power system also depends on the solar needs of your home, i.e., the amount of backup power needed to run your home efficiently during loadshedding.
Ultimately the key decision areas for Solar System Financing come down to; Ownership, ROI, Tax Incentives, Long-term Savings and flexibility.
Solar Rent-to-Own Breakdown
A solar rent to own solar power solution includes specific terms and conditions and pros and cons. Lease to own solar offers small monthly installments. This means that even if it is a cost-effective financial solution, you do not actually own the system. It also means that even though you have a solar power system, you will not benefit from any tax or other incentives, including selling your excess power back to the grid.
Another big con of a solar rent-to-own solution is that the system adds no additional value to your property, which means you are unable to take advantage of the 4% capital gains that most solar installations add.
Ownership: Why is this so important?
A solar finance solution means complete control and ownership of the hybrid solar system, including maintenance and upgrades. When a solar system is financed, it belongs to you once the financing is paid in full. This also means you are able to benefit from tax incentives, sell surplus energy to the grid and add considerable value to your property.
Lease to own Solar does not entitle the lease to the ownership of the system. Sure, that means they don't have to pay for the maintenance (even though this is usually included in the rental price) but they also can't take advantage of the additional value adds that Solar Pv provides.
Return on investment (ROI)
The benefits of investing in a solar system includes long-term electricity bill savings. The system will pay for itself and potentially generate income from the surplus energy produced. This excess electricity can be fed back into the grid through net metering. Net gain/metering credits solar system households against electricity consumption, lowering monthly bills.
Rent to own solar users will still benefit from the reduction in their electricity costs. In theory, they would be paying their solar provider eg: R1399p/m instead of buying R1500p/m on electricity.
However, any excess production is recovered by the rental service/ company.
Only if you own the system outright can you recover excess solar production and sell it back to the grid for cash.
Tax Incentives for Solar Rent to Own?
Tax incentives for your solar system are available to you if you own the system.
There are no available tax incetives for Solar rent to own agreements!
Solar tax incentives can offset the initial cost of the solar system. The City of Cape Town is the only metro in the country to be granted an exemption by the National Treasure to purchase surplus electricity from businesses and residences.
Does Solar rent to own offer Long-Term Savings?
The best solar installations offer a sustainable and reliable energy solution for homes, ensuring uninterrupted power supply while reducing reliance on the grid. With a lifespan of 25 years or more, your initial upfront investment will continue to save you money long after the system has been paid in full.
When deciding on solar lease to own, it is important to understand what they buy-back period is and what the cost would be to own outright. solar panels have 25 year lifespan, but batteries only last for 10 -15 years depending on loadshedding intensity. If your solar lease to own agreement extends past 8 years, you will not be able to recover the cost of the initial battery install before it needs replacing.
Freedom and Flexibility
With InPower’s residential solar finance offering, a hybrid solar system is affordable. Delivering significant energy savings, a good return on investment, and the creation of a greener, more sustainable environment, a solar system is the ideal backup powers solution. Owning the solar system also means you are able to upgrade or downgrade your system depending on additional energy needs.
With a rental agreement, you may be limited in the size of the system and it’s components.
InPower offers the best solar finance in South Africa! On our financing model, the system is fully owned by you and works for you.
Find out more about why solar finance is better than a rent to own solar solution!
InPower’s Home Solar Finance
Here’s a brief step-by-step breakdown of how it works:
Step 1: Contact us for a consultation
Our team of experts will work with you to determine the best solar power system for your home and budget.
Step 2: Apply for Financing
We’ll guide you through the application process, which includes a credit check and evaluation of your home’s solar potential.
Step 3: Get approved
Once you’re approved, we’ll work with you to finalise the financing terms and schedule the installation of your solar power system.
Step 4: Start enjoying the benefits of solar power
Once your system is installed, you can enjoy solar energy's cost savings and environmental benefits.
What our financing solution covers
Our residential solar finance covers the entire cost of your solar and backup power system, including installation, equipment, and labour. Our solution means you can start enjoying the benefits of solar power without breaking the bank. Backup power without the pressure of paying the full upfront cost.
Investing in solar power is a smart decision for your wallet and the environment.
Ultimately, the choice between a solar rent to own solar system and solar finance system is dependent on financial capabilities, long-term energy goals, and long-term energy savings. There can be no doubt that the benefits of solar finance with InPower far outweighs the cons and with the help of our, we can help you gain even more!
