No-money-down solar PPA
See the locked-rate path first, then compare cash, loan, and lease with the same roof model.
PPA first
Solar without buying the panels.
For most homeowners, the no-money-down PPA is the cleanest path: zero upfront cost, a locked power rate, and 25 years of maintenance handled by Xtact.
Why we lead with it
The PPA removes the two biggest blockers.
Upfront cost and long-term maintenance are what stop most homeowners. A PPA moves both off your plate while still letting us compare ownership paths honestly.
$0 upfront
You do not buy the panels. Xtact owns the system and you buy the power it produces.
Locked power rate
The PPA rate is modeled against the utility bill you already pay, so the comparison is concrete.
25-year service
Maintenance, monitoring, inverter failures, and production issues stay on Xtact.
No hidden comparison
We still show cash, loan, and lease paths when the numbers call for it.
Side by side
PPA first. Ownership second.
The PPA is the default recommendation, not the only option. The table keeps the trade-offs visible so you can compare real paths instead of choosing from a sales script.
Request my PPA quote| What you get | PPA | Loan | Cash | Lease |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | $0 | $0 typical | $25K-$35K | $0 |
| Payment basis | Pay for solar power produced | Fixed equipment loan payment | Paid upfront | Fixed equipment payment |
| Federal tax credit | Captured by Xtact, passed through via lower rate | Expired for residential Section 25D after Dec 31 2025 | Expired for residential Section 25D after Dec 31 2025 | Captured by lessor |
| Who owns the panels | Xtact | You | You | Lessor |
| Who maintains | Xtact, 25 years | You, with 25-year Xtact monitoring | You, with 25-year Xtact monitoring | Lessor |
| Repair exposure | Covered by Xtact | Homeowner carries ownership risk | Homeowner carries ownership risk | Usually covered by lessor |
| Transfers if you sell | Yes, buyer credit-approved | Loan transfers or pays off | Title transfers with home | Yes, buyer credit-approved |
| Best fit | $0-down, service included | Ownership priority | Cash-rich, long hold | Rare; usually beat by PPA |
Your quote includes the actual dollars. This comparison shows what each path makes you responsible for.
2026 context
Why the math reshuffled this year.
The 30% federal residential clean-energy credit expired on December 31, 2025. In 2026, third-party-owned systems such as PPAs and leases may still monetize the commercial credit through Section 48E. That is why the PPA often pencils better now.
No money down
Pay for the power, not the panels.
Xtact owns and maintains the system on your roof. You buy the electricity it produces at a locked rate below your current utility path. There is no upfront payment, and maintenance stays with us.
The PPA is not a fit for every homeowner. If you expect to move soon, if buyers in your market are cautious about PPA transfers, or if ownership fits your finances better, we will say so.
Section 48E can still matter.
In a PPA, Xtact is the system owner. Under current law, the owner of a qualifying commercial solar system may claim the commercial credit and reflect that value in the rate.
System risk stays with us.
Inverter fails year 11? Our problem. Production drops year 17? We handle the truck roll.
The rate is the product.
The quote is only useful if the locked rate beats the utility path. If it does not, we say so before you sign.
State eligibility
We only offer PPAs where the law supports them.
Green markets can move through the PPA path. Red and gray markets do not get pushed into a PPA; we route those homes to loan or cash with the same install standard.
West
Mountain + Plains
Midwest
South
Northeast
Eligibility can change by utility, state rule, or PUC order. We confirm the route before presenting a contract.
Other paths
When ownership still makes sense.
Cash and loans can still be right for some homeowners. We just do not want you choosing them because the comparison was hidden.
Ownership, financed
Loan
You own the panels at install. Loans can make sense when you will stay 15+ years, want the system on your title, and prefer ownership even without the old residential credit.The Section 25D residential credit ended after 2025, so ownership math needs a fresh comparison.Outright purchase
Cash
Write a check, own the system, and keep every kilowatt. Cash can still win for a long hold when the opportunity cost of that cash is low.After January 1, 2026, the case depends more on roof quality, utility inflation, and how long you will own the home.Rare fit
Lease
A lease charges a fixed monthly payment for equipment. A PPA charges per kWh produced.In our markets, the PPA usually beats the lease because you pay for delivered production.Get the numbers
Start with the PPA. Compare the rest.
Send the address and average bill. We will model the PPA first, show the ownership paths beside it, and tell you which one makes the most sense before you sign.