SunRun Lease (L.A. & Arizona): The Basics

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Published on June 15, 2009 by Tor a.k.a. "Solar Fred".
Categories: Affordable Solar, Los Angeles Solar, Solar Lease, SunRun.

Solarwclouds SunRun Lease (L.A. & Arizona): The BasicsWe’re still getting through reviewing the various solar leases and solar PPAs in around the U.S. Today, we’re returning to SunRun and their other solar financing program, a Solar Lease.

SunRun is mainly known for its Solar PPAs, but in some states or utility areas, they have a Solar Lease model because of complex utility agreements and/or state laws. Here are the basic need-to-knows.

In the next post, we’ll go over a SunRun solar lease example for an average size 5kw DC system.

  • As mentioned, this program is currently only available in the Los Angeles (LADWP) utility and in Arizona. (For other areas in California and Massachusetts, see this post.)
  • Standard up front cost is typically $500, but could be less or zip in some utilities in Arizona. So, good news for people worried about high up front costs for solar.
  • This is an 18 year lease agreement. Should you move, you can transfer the lease to the new homeowner, buy out the remaining agreement, or buy the system at a predetermined cost.
  • You’ll need very good to excellent credit to qualify. SunRun says it takes into consideration more than just your FICO score.
  • SunRun does not place any kind of lien on your home, nor does the lease dip into your home equity, but again, they do look at your credit and ability to pay.
  • All maintenance of the solar system is included in the lease, including the inverter, which usually conks out at around 12 to 15 years.
  • As always with SunRun, they have a list of very experienced installers who will design, install, and maintain your system. That’s really great, considering there are so many new solar companies who have little experience with solar.
  • SunRun calculates your first year’s combined Solar lease and utility bill to be equal to what you’re paying now. So, you don’t really save anything in the first year of monthly bills. The real savings come in the next 17 years (or more if you buy the panels.) Why?
  • Because for the next 17 years, your SunRun solar lease bill will rise by only 2.9%, whereas the utility portion will probably rise at a higher rate, perhaps 5% or more.
  • Historically, utility rates have risen nationally at an average of 5% a year. In the future, could be more or… less. That’s a risk, but with climate change legislation running through Congress and California requiring utilities to buy more renewable energy, it’s a pretty good bet that electric rates will rise by at least 5%, especially in utilities with tiered rates.
  • Because the panels are technically owned by SunRun, they collect all of the incentives, including state and utility rebates, Federal tax credits, and renewable energy credits (RECs).
  • However, SunRun says it works these incentives into your overall lease price. That can be a really good deal for middle/upper middle income people who may not be able to take full advantage of the Federal Government’s 30% tax credit. (A tax credit is like a gift card for the IRS. For example, you owe $10,000 and get a $9,000 solar tax credit, then you only owe $1,000 on April 15th. Owe less? The credit can be taken over 5 years. Check with your tax expert to confirm.)

In my next post, I’ll lay out an example of the SunRun LADWP lease for Los Angeles and Arizona.

Read the 4 brilliant comments below or add yours!

zane Identicon Icon zane
Comment on June 16th, 2009.

It would be good to know what happens if/when the company goes bankrupt. Do you get to keep your panels? Or might they be liquidated?

Tor a.k.a. "Solar Fred" Identicon Icon Tor a.k.a. "Solar Fred"
Comment on June 16th, 2009.

Hey, Zane,I believe you will have to fulfill your contract, which is more valuable to any creditors than the solar panels being liquidated. You might also be able to negotiate to buy the panels. I also believe that there's some kind of provision that would continue to support and maintain the panels, even if the company were to go bust. Again, behooves the creditors to keep SunRun's side of the bargain, since you provide them income. That being said, read your contract for any details.

castisquid Identicon Icon castisquid
Comment on June 19th, 2009.

Hi all, it's Sydney from SunRun. Solar Fred – thanks so much for a great post! I just wanted to weigh in on the "what happens if you go belly up?" question. The really cool thing is that, the way we're set up, no creditor will ever have any claim to your system. And the customer is definitely not obligated to fulfill their contract. In other words – worst case scenario – you'll have panels on your house for which you paid a lot less than you otherwise would have.Hope that helps!

Tor a.k.a. "Solar Fred" Identicon Icon Tor a.k.a. "Solar Fred"
Comment on June 19th, 2009.

Thanks Sydney, for that clarification. Please feel free to clarify anything here. I want this blog to be an open and honest dialog about solar. The good, the bad, and the ugly, including any of my posts! So if anything's inaccurate in my posts about SunRun, leave another comment. Thanks for reading. I liked your post on solar as a Father's Day gift, BTW. ;)

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