Momentum Solar
Your Numbers
kWh per year — CT average ~8,500
$
per kWh
$
per month — what utility would charge for same kWh
% increase per year
$
per kWh
% increase per year
Payment Trend
Year-by-Year Breakdown
YearUtility
Monthly		Solar Monthly
(before EPP)		Solar Monthly
(EPP)		Yearly
Savings
Your 25-Year Summary
💡

If You Do Nothing

$0
Total utility payments over 25 years
📈

Savings (before EPP)

$0
💰

Savings With EPP Pricing

$0
💡 What is Efficient Partner Pricing (EPP)? ▼
Save Even More

Efficient Partner Pricing (EPP) rewards homeowners who help us operate efficiently. It's the same idea insurance companies use with non-smoker discounts — people who cost less to serve get better rates.

Here's how it works for you:

  • You set aside time to go through all the information and upgrade to solar in one visit
  • That saves us from making a second trip to your home
  • Each home we don't have to revisit lets us help one additional homeowner that month
  • We pass those efficiency savings back to you as a lower monthly rate

To lock in your EPP rate today, we just need three things:

  • ✅ Sign the agreement — get your solar journey started right now
  • ✅ Schedule your Engineering Visit — we send a specialist to finalize your custom system design
  • ✅ Set up autopay — enroll in automatic bank draft (ACH) to waive the monthly billing fee and lock in your lowest rate

It's a win-win. You get a better price today, and we get to help more families switch to solar. That's why the EPP rate you see above is lower than our standard pricing.

📄 Your Solar Lease — What You're Signing Up For

▼
1. Who Is This Agreement Between? ▼

This agreement is between you (the homeowner) and IGS Solar, LLC (the company that owns and maintains the solar system).

IGS Solar leases the equipment to you. You pay a monthly amount to use the system and keep the power it generates. IGS handles installation, insurance, repairs, and monitoring for the full 25 years.

All obligations start on the "Transaction Date" listed on your agreement — that's the day you sign.

2. How Long Is This Agreement? ▼

This is a 25-year lease — 300 months total. Think of it like leasing a car, but for solar panels.

The clock starts on the first day of the month right after your system gets turned on and connected to the grid. We call that the "Interconnection Date." Every year after that is a "Contract Year."

What this means for you: You're locking in your solar rate for 25 years. No renegotiating, no surprises. After 25 years, you choose what happens next — renew, buy the system, or let us remove it for free.

3. Your Monthly Payment ▼

You pay one fixed monthly amount for using the solar system. That's it. No equipment costs, no installation fees, no maintenance bills.

When you sign up, you'll set up automatic payment by credit card, debit card, or bank transfer (ACH). If you set up auto-pay through your bank (ACH), we usually waive the small monthly billing fee — so it's basically free to pay.

You'll get an email invoice every month. If a payment bounces, there's a standard returned-check fee (same as any other bill). If you're late, the fee is 1.5% per month on the past-due amount.

Sales tax may apply to your monthly payment, just like it does on your utility bill. That's normal.

Bottom line: Set it and forget it. One predictable payment. No utility bill roller coaster.

4. What Each Side Handles ▼

What IGS handles (so you don't have to):

  • Installation and construction start to finish
  • A revenue-grade meter that tracks every kilowatt-hour your system produces
  • Insurance on the system against damage or loss
  • All repairs if something breaks
  • No lien on your house — your home title stays clean. We may file a simple equipment notice (like a car loan notice) just to show we own the panels, but that's it

What we ask from you:

  • Keep trees and bushes trimmed so they don't shade the panels
  • Don't clean or modify the system yourself — call us if something looks off
  • Tell us ASAP if you see damage or something missing
  • Sign permit and inspection paperwork within 7 days when we send it
  • Keep your internet on — the monitoring system needs a connection to track performance. We can use your WiFi or install a cellular gateway
  • Get HOA approval if your neighborhood requires it
  • Don't use the system to heat a pool or hot tub
  • Share utility bills when we ask — helps us verify your savings

Roof work: If you're getting a new roof or doing construction that affects the panels, give us 30 days' notice. We'll coordinate removal and reinstallation. You keep paying your lease during any brief downtime.

Access: We need to get on your roof occasionally for maintenance or monitoring. We'll always try to give you reasonable notice. Access continues for 90 days after the lease ends, just in case we need to remove the system.

Bottom line: IGS handles the technical stuff. You handle basic homeowner stuff. Fair trade.

5. Before We Install ▼

Before installation day, we do our homework:

  • Engineering site audit to make sure your roof is solid
  • Final system design customized for your home
  • Real estate due diligence
  • All city permits, zoning, and building approvals
  • We claim any available rebates and renewable energy credits

You just need to return any paperwork we send you and get HOA approval if it applies.

If for some reason your roof can't support solar or the city won't approve it, we can cancel the agreement — but that's rare and protects both of us.

6. Changes to This Agreement ▼

The only way this agreement changes is if both of us sign a written amendment. No handshake deals, no verbal promises. We can fix utility paperwork to match the lease terms, but nothing changes your rate or your obligations without your signature.

7. Your Warranties ▼

Your protection comes from two documents:

  • The Limited Warranty (Exhibit 2) — covers defects, workmanship, and materials for 25 years
  • The Production Guarantee (Exhibit 3) — makes sure your system performs

Those two documents cover everything that matters. IGS doesn't make promises beyond what's in those exhibits — but honestly, they cover all the important stuff.

8. Can IGS Sell This Lease to Someone Else? ▼

Your lease may be transferred to a qualified financing partner — just like your mortgage gets sold to another bank. This is standard for solar leases.

Your rate, your terms, your warranty — nothing changes for you. The new company takes over the backend, and the old company is off the hook. Same as when your mortgage gets sold.

9. Who Owns the Equipment? ▼

IGS owns the panels, inverters, and equipment. It's considered personal property — like a leased car, not a built-in appliance. It doesn't become part of your house.

You can't let anyone put a lien on the equipment. If a contractor you hire separately tries to file a lien on the panels, you have 30 days to clear it.

Bottom line: You get all the benefits of solar without the headaches of ownership.

10. Who Owns the Power? ▼

You do. Every kilowatt-hour that hits your roof is yours. That's what you're paying for — the power, not the hardware.

11. Tax Credits & Incentives ▼

Since IGS owns the equipment, we claim the federal tax credits, state rebates, and renewable energy credits (SRECs). That's how we can offer you such a low monthly rate. We take the tax benefits on the front end, you take the savings on the back end. Win-win.

You'll need to sign some utility paperwork so we can process the incentives, but that's standard and takes two minutes.

Bottom line: The tax credits are baked into your low monthly payment. You're already getting the benefit — just in the form of savings instead of a tax form.

12. Can You Buy the System Later? Yes. ▼

Starting at year 5, you can buy the system outright if you want. The price is based on whichever is more fair:

  • Your remaining payments at a discount: All remaining lease payments, discounted at 5% per year. Basically "pay off the lease early at a discount."
  • What the system is actually worth: An independent appraiser figures out the fair market value. IGS pays for the appraisal.

If you buy it, you get any remaining manufacturer warranties and a bill of sale. From that day on, you're responsible for maintenance and repairs — just like you own it.

Bottom line: You have an exit ramp. Most people don't buy because the lease savings are already great, but the option is there if your situation changes.

13. What If You Sell Your House? ▼

You have three easy options. Most buyers love taking over a solar lease because it means lower electric bills from day one.

Option 1: Transfer the lease. Give us 30 days' notice, we run a quick credit check on the buyer. If they qualify, they take over the payments. This is the most common route — buyers see solar as a selling point.

Option 2: Prepay the lease. Pay off the remaining payments in a lump sum. The new owner pays nothing but still gets the solar power. Great for cash buyers.

Option 3: Buy the system (only if you're past year 5) and include it in the home sale. Now the buyer owns the panels free and clear.

Bottom line: Solar doesn't trap you in your house. It's a selling point. And if none of these work, talk to us — we want to help, not punish.

14. What Happens After Year 25? ▼

About 3 months before your lease ends, we mail you renewal forms. You have three choices:

  • Renew — sign the forms and keep going
  • Decline — sign the forms saying you're done, and the lease ends
  • Do nothing — your lease continues year-to-year at the same low rate, and you can stop anytime with 30 days' notice

If you don't renew or buy, we can remove the system for free at a time that works for you. Or we may transfer ownership to you as-is at no charge, and the system becomes yours to keep.

Bottom line: No cliff at year 25. You have options, and if you want out, we clean up after ourselves.

15. System Removal ▼

If you don't renew or buy after 25 years, we can remove the system for free and schedule it at your convenience. We'll take the panels off, seal the roof penetrations, and leave your roof as close to original as possible.

Or we may transfer ownership to you as-is at no charge, and the system becomes yours to keep.

16. Storms, Damage & Insurance ▼

Unless you intentionally damage the panels or are grossly negligent, IGS covers everything — hail, wind, fire, theft, you name it.

Your lease payment stays the same during repairs, but remember — you're still getting power from the grid, so your lights stay on while we fix the system. The repair is on us, not you.

Bottom line: Sleep easy. A tree falls on your roof? Not your wallet. Lightning strikes an inverter? We replace it.

17. Liability Limits ▼

If something goes wrong, IGS is only on the hook for direct damages — not lost profits, emotional distress, or other indirect stuff. Your liability to IGS is capped at what you'd owe under the default section.

Standard lease language. Every contract has it.

18. When Would This Go Bad? ▼

You're in default if:

  • You miss a payment and it's 30+ days late
  • You break a major rule and don't fix it within 14 days of us notifying you
  • You alter the system without permission
  • You give us false info on the application
  • You try to sell or transfer the lease without our okay
  • You go into bankruptcy or foreclosure

Bottom line: Pay your bill, don't mess with the equipment, and be honest. Do that, and you'll never think about this section. 99% of customers don't.

19. What Happens If Things Go South? ▼

This is the worst-case scenario section. If you default, we can try to fix the situation, take the system back, ask for the remaining value, or report it to credit bureaus.

This almost never happens because most people just pay their bill and enjoy the savings. If you're struggling, call us before you miss a payment — we'd rather work with you than against you.

20. Credit Check ▼

We run your credit when you apply. We report your payment history to credit bureaus.

Pay on time, build credit. Miss payments, it can hurt — just like any other bill. Standard stuff.

21. Photos of Your System ▼

We might take pictures of the panels on your roof for our website or marketing materials. Your name, address, and personal details stay private.

Your house might be a solar model home. No big deal.

22. Waivers ▼

If we don't enforce a rule one time, that doesn't mean we can't enforce it later. Standard contract language.

23. Legal Stuff ▼

This agreement follows the laws of your state. If there's a dispute, it gets handled in your local courts. No jury trials, no class actions — just straightforward resolution.

Standard legal boilerplate. Every contract has it.

24. Notices ▼

Important stuff has to be in writing — email, mail, or hand delivery. No "he said, she said."

25. The Whole Deal ▼

This document is the whole deal. No side agreements unless both of us sign them. If a court says one part doesn't work, the rest still stands.

26. Your Right to Cancel — 7-Day Safety Net ▼

You have 7 business days to change your mind. Zero cost. Zero hassle.

Sleep on it. Talk to your spouse. Google us. If you're not 100% in, cancel within a week and it's like it never happened. We'll refund any payments within 10 business days.

To cancel, just send a written notice to:

IGS Solar, LLC
6100 Emerald Parkway
Dublin, Ohio 43016
Email: SolarSupport@igs.com

Before You Sign ▼

By signing, you're saying:

  • "I've read this agreement and I understand it's legally binding"
  • "I know utility rates change over time, so savings can vary month to month — but over 25 years, the math is strongly in my favor"

Don't sign if there are blank spaces. Everything should be filled in before you put pen to paper.

Bottom line: You're making an informed decision. No pressure, no rush. You have 7 days to back out. Let me make sure every blank is filled and every question is answered before you sign.

Your 25-Year Warranty ▼

System Warranty: Professional install, free from defects in workmanship and materials for 25 years under normal use.

Roof Warranty: All roof penetrations are watertight for 5 years. If we put a hole in your roof, we seal it right.

Operation: The system will operate within manufacturer specs. If not, we repair or replace defective parts and restore operation.

Monitoring: Free monitoring for the full 25 years (unless you buy the system). We watch your production remotely. If something's off, we know before you do and we fix it.

Claims: Email SolarSupport@igs.com, call 888.974.0114, or mail overnight to 6100 Emerald Parkway, Dublin, OH 43016 — ATTN: IGS Residential Solar.

What's NOT covered: Damage you cause, unauthorized repairs, new tree growth shading the panels, or failures not caused by a system defect. Acts of God (hurricanes, earthquakes) — but remember, IGS still insures the system against those.

Bottom line: You're covered for 25 years. If the system breaks, underperforms, or leaks — we handle it. That's the whole point of leasing instead of buying.

Updated for 2026 — Post-ITC Landscape

Solar Loan vs Lease in NJ:
The Math Completely Flipped in 2026

The 30% federal tax credit for homeowners is gone. Here’s exactly how that changes the loan vs lease decision for New Jersey homeowners — with real numbers.

Omar Jackson — NJ Solar Expert
Omar Jackson — Founder, Solar by Omar | Former Sunrun Rep I spent nearly a decade selling solar on both sides of the lease vs loan debate. I’ve closed deals on both structures and seen what each actually looks like for NJ homeowners long-term. This is the honest breakdown.

⚠️ Critical 2026 Update: The Federal Tax Credit Is Gone for Direct Purchases

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed July 4, 2025, eliminated the residential Section 25D solar tax credit effective January 1, 2026. Homeowners who buy solar with cash or a loan receive zero federal tax benefit. This fundamentally changes the loan vs lease comparison. Every piece of solar advice written before 2026 that says “buy to get the 30% credit” is now outdated. See the full 2026 NJ incentives guide.

For a decade the conventional wisdom was clear: buy your solar system so you can claim the 30% federal tax credit. Leasing was for people who couldn’t qualify for financing. That rule is now obsolete. Here’s the new math — and what NJ homeowners actually need to consider in 2026.

📋 What’s in this guide

  1. What Changed in 2026
  2. How a Solar Lease Works in NJ
  3. How a Solar Loan Works in NJ
  4. The 2026 Math Breakdown
  5. The TREC Question Nobody Asks
  6. When a Lease Wins
  7. When a Loan Wins
  8. Frequently Asked Questions

What Changed in 2026 — And Why It Matters

For years, the standard solar sales advice was: “Never lease. Always buy so you can claim the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit.” That advice was correct — until midnight on December 31, 2025.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act eliminated the residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) for any system installed on or after January 1, 2026. There is no phase-down, no grandfathering, no exceptions for systems already contracted. If you install solar with a cash purchase or a loan in 2026, your federal tax benefit is exactly $0.

However — and this is the part most people miss — the commercial solar tax credit (Section 48E) was not eliminated. It remains available through 2027 for businesses and third-party solar owners. This is where leases and PPAs come in.

💡 The Section 48E Pathway — How Leases Still Access Federal Benefits

When you sign a solar lease or PPA, the solar company (not you) owns the panels on your roof. Because they’re a business, they can claim the Section 48E commercial investment tax credit — worth 30% of the system cost. To win your business, they factor that credit into your lease rate, effectively passing the savings to you as a lower monthly payment. In 2026, a lease or PPA is the only way a residential homeowner can access any federal solar tax benefit.

How a Solar Lease Works in NJ

In a solar lease or PPA (Power Purchase Agreement), a solar company installs panels on your roof and owns them for the life of the agreement — typically 20-25 years. You pay a fixed monthly rate for the electricity they produce, which is set below your current utility rate from day one.

The key mechanics for NJ homeowners:

  • $0 upfront. No down payment, no installation fee. The solar company funds everything.
  • Fixed monthly rate — lower than your current PSE&G, ACE, or JCP&L bill from day one.
  • Company claims Section 48E — and passes the benefit through as a lower rate.
  • Net metering credits apply. Surplus electricity sent to the grid credits your account at retail rate.
  • Maintenance covered. The system owner handles repairs and performance guarantees.
  • You don’t own the system — which has implications for home sales and long-term incentives.

📌 NJ-specific note: On a lease, the solar company typically retains the NJ SuSI TREC payments — not you. This is worth $12,000+ over 15 years on a typical 8kW system. It should be factored into your rate comparison. Always ask: “Who keeps the TREC payments?” before signing. More on this below.

How a Solar Loan Works in NJ

A solar loan lets you own your system outright while spreading the cost over time — typically 10-25 years. You apply for financing through your installer or a third-party lender, and the loan payment replaces your utility bill.

In 2026, the loan math looks meaningfully different than it did before the ITC expired:

  • $0 upfront — the loan covers 100% of installation cost.
  • No federal tax credit — the 30% ITC that made loans compelling is gone for 2026 purchases.
  • You own the system — and keep all NJ SuSI TREC payments ($12,000+ over 15 years).
  • Monthly payment may exceed your old utility bill — without the ITC to reduce principal, loan payments are higher.
  • Full system ownership — no lease transfer complications when selling your home.
  • 25-year warranty — after which the system is yours free and clear.

The 2026 Math Breakdown: Real NJ Numbers

Let’s run the actual numbers for a typical NJ homeowner — 8kW system, $200/month current utility bill, PSE&G territory at $0.26/kWh.

8kW System — NJ Homeowner — PSE&G Territory — 2026

$0-Down Solar Lease

System installed cost$0 to you
Federal tax benefit48E via company
Monthly solar payment~$130–$150
vs. old utility billSave ~$50-70/mo
SuSI TREC paymentsCompany keeps them
Net metering creditsYou keep them
Own system after 25 yrs?No

Solar Loan (Cash Purchase)

System installed cost~$25,000
Federal tax benefit$0 (ITC expired)
Monthly loan payment~$190–$230
vs. old utility billOften higher initially
SuSI TREC paymentsYou keep $12,000+
Net metering creditsYou keep them
Own system after 25 yrs?Yes — free & clear

The takeaway from these numbers: In 2026, a lease delivers immediate monthly savings with no upfront risk. A loan gives you system ownership and TREC income but the monthly payment often exceeds your current utility bill — at least until the loan is paid off. The right choice depends entirely on your priorities and time horizon.

Full Comparison: Solar Lease vs Loan in NJ 2026

Factor $0-Down Lease / PPA Solar Loan / Purchase
Upfront Cost $0 $0 (loan-financed)
Federal Tax Credit 48E via installer — reflected in lower rate None — ITC expired Jan 1, 2026
Monthly Payment vs Old Bill Lower from day 1 (20–35%) Often higher initially without ITC
NJ SuSI TREC Payments Installer keeps them (~$12K+ over 15 yrs) You keep them (~$815/yr for 15 yrs)
Net Metering Credits You keep them You keep them
Maintenance & Repairs Installer responsible for 25 years Your responsibility after warranty
Own the System No — installer owns panels Yes — yours after loan paid off
Home Sale Complexity Lease must transfer to buyer Clean ownership transfer
25-Year Savings Potential Lower — TREC value given up Higher — own system + TREC income
Best For Immediate savings, no risk, low commitment Maximum long-term value, system ownership

The TREC Question Nobody Asks — But Should

This is the single most important thing to understand before signing any NJ solar agreement in 2026 — and the thing most solar companies hope you don’t ask about.

New Jersey’s SuSI program pays $85.90 per megawatt-hour of solar energy produced for 15 years. For a typical 8kW system producing ~9,500 kWh per year, that’s approximately $815 per year — $12,225 over the full term.

On a solar loan or cash purchase, those TREC payments go to you. On most leases and PPAs, they go to the installer — who uses them to offset the system cost and offer you a lower rate. This isn’t a scam, but it’s a significant financial consideration that changes the true comparison.

⚠️ Always Ask This Before Signing

Before you sign any NJ solar agreement — lease or loan — ask directly: “Who keeps the SuSI TREC payments under this contract?” If they’re vague, change the subject, or say you’ll get them when the contract clearly says otherwise — walk away. This one question can save you $12,000+.

When a Solar Lease Makes More Sense in 2026

✓ Choose a Lease When:

  • You want immediate monthly savings from day one
  • You don’t want maintenance responsibility
  • Your tax liability is low — ITC wouldn’t help you anyway
  • You plan to stay in the home long-term
  • Cash flow matters more than long-term total value
  • You want the 48E credit benefit without the paperwork

→ Consider a Loan When:

  • You want to own your system and keep TREC payments
  • You’re planning to sell your home — cleaner transfer
  • Your monthly budget can handle a slightly higher payment initially
  • You want maximum 25-year total savings
  • You’re an investor thinking about the asset value

The Long-Term Case for Ownership — Still Real

Despite the ITC expiration, the case for ownership isn’t dead — it’s just longer-term. The math works like this:

A homeowner who purchases an 8kW system in 2026 will pay higher monthly payments than a lease customer for the first 10-12 years of the loan term. But after the loan is paid off, they have a fully owned system producing free electricity — plus 15 years of TREC income totaling $12,000+. Over a 25-year horizon, ownership typically delivers $15,000-25,000 more in total value than a lease, depending on your utility rate and system performance.

The question is whether the short-term cash flow difference is worth the long-term gain to you specifically. For some homeowners it absolutely is. For others — particularly those with tighter monthly budgets — the immediate savings of a lease are the right call.

Not Sure Which Is Right for Your Home?

Omar runs the actual numbers for your specific utility, roof, and usage — lease vs loan side by side — so you can make the right decision for your situation, not a generic one.

⚡ Get My Personalized Lease vs Loan Analysis

What Happens When You Sell Your Home

This is the second biggest concern after monthly costs — and both structures have nuances worth understanding.

If you have a lease: The lease must either transfer to the buyer or be bought out before closing. Most buyers are comfortable assuming a lease if the payment is lower than the local utility rate — which it typically is. See our full guide to selling a home with solar in NJ.

If you have a loan: You can either pay off the loan before sale (using sale proceeds) or transfer it to the buyer as an assumption. Owned solar systems are generally easier to deal with in a sale — the value is captured in the appraisal and there’s no ongoing lease agreement to negotiate.

In both cases, NJ’s property tax exemption applies — solar panels increase your home’s appraised value without increasing your tax assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

In 2026, leasing is more financially competitive than it has ever been in NJ — specifically because the residential ITC expired. The solar company claims the commercial 48E credit and passes it through as a lower monthly rate. For most NJ homeowners who want immediate bill savings with no upfront cost or maintenance risk, a lease is genuinely worth it. The tradeoff is giving up SuSI TREC payments (worth $12,000+ over 15 years) and long-term system ownership.
In 2026, if your priority is immediate monthly savings with no upfront cost — lease. If your priority is maximum long-term value, system ownership, and keeping all NJ SuSI TREC payments — buy (loan or cash). Without the 30% ITC, the short-term math favors leasing more than it did in 2025. Over 25 years, ownership still typically generates more total value — but the monthly cash flow difference in the early years is real.
On most NJ solar leases, the installer retains the SuSI TREC payments. This is worth approximately $815/year or $12,000+ over the full 15-year term. The installer uses this income to offset the system cost and offer you a lower lease rate. It’s not a hidden fee — but it’s often not explained clearly in the sales process. Always ask before signing.
No. The residential Section 25D solar tax credit was eliminated for systems installed on or after January 1, 2026. NJ homeowners who purchase solar with cash or a loan receive zero federal tax benefit in 2026. Only leases and PPAs — where the installer claims the commercial Section 48E credit — still access federal benefits indirectly.
Your solar lease must either be transferred to the buyer or bought out before closing. Most NJ home buyers will accept a lease assumption if the monthly rate is meaningfully lower than the local utility rate — which it typically is. Some buyers may be hesitant about assuming a 20-year commitment. For a detailed breakdown of the process, see our guide to selling a home with solar in NJ.
Both are third-party ownership structures where the solar company owns the panels. The difference: a lease has a fixed monthly payment regardless of production. A PPA charges you per kilowatt-hour actually produced — so your bill varies with weather and season. In NJ, leases are more common for residential installations. Both structures allow the installer to claim the Section 48E credit in 2026.

Get the Honest Numbers for Your Home

Lease vs loan looks different for every NJ homeowner depending on your utility, usage, and priorities. Omar runs both scenarios side by side for your specific address — free, no pressure.

⚡ Get My Free Lease vs Loan Analysis
Scroll to Top