Solar
Best No Money Down Solar Options
Going solar no longer requires writing a five-figure check. Between $0 down loans, leases, and community solar, these are the options we rank highest for starting with nothing upfront.
Top matches
Solar
- ✗Filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware on April 15, 2026, listing liabilities of $500 million to $1 billion
- ✗The 25-year production guarantee and workmanship warranty are company obligations that a Chapter 11 case can delay or discharge
- ✓Equipment warranties come from the panel and inverter manufacturers, so they are unaffected by the installer's bankruptcy
- ✓Installed nearly 2 GW across 35 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C. before filing
How we ranked these: We ranked every no-money-down-tagged option in our database by our overall methodology score, which weighs value, equipment and warranty, and contract terms.
Last updated June 2026
Questions, answered
Is $0 down solar actually free?
No. It just moves the cost into monthly payments. With a $0 down loan, you own the system and pay it off over 10 to 25 years. With a lease, you pay a monthly fee and never own it. Either way, the goal is monthly payments lower than the electric bill they replace.
Loan or lease, which is better with nothing down?
A loan usually wins over the system's life because you keep the federal tax credit and own an asset that adds home value. A lease wins on simplicity: no maintenance responsibility and no debt on your credit report. Run the 25-year totals on both before signing.
What happens to a $0 down system if I sell my house?
An owned system transfers with the house and generally helps the sale. A leased system requires the buyer to assume the lease or you to buy it out, which can complicate closings. If you might move within a few years, favor ownership or community solar.
Does the federal tax credit work with no money down?
With a loan, yes. You own the system, so you claim the credit on its full cost even though you financed it. With a lease or power purchase agreement, the company owns the system and keeps the credit. That is partly how they fund the $0 down offer.