Category Archives: Solar Financing

Articles about the ways to finance a solar installation.

Q&A with Sungage Financial

Reading Time: 5 minutes

When making the switch to solar, many EnergySage shoppers end up financing their installation with a loan from Sungage Financial. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Sungage currently provides financing solutions through their partner installer network in 18 states and Washington D.C. EnergySage conducted a Q&A with Mike Gilroy, Sungage CEO, to learn more about their company, what customers should consider when choosing a solar loan, and how they differ from other specialized solar lenders.

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How do I claim the solar tax credit (ITC)? Form 5695 instructions

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If you’re considering solar, you’ve probably heard about the federal solar tax credit, also known as the Investment Tax Credit (ITC). The Federal ITC makes solar more affordable for homeowners and businesses by granting a dollar-for-dollar tax deduction equal to 26% of the total cost of a solar energy system.

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Sungage Financial solar loans: the complete review

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Solar loans are the fastest growing method of financing a solar panel installation. Across the country, the majority of new solar installations are purchased with either a cash purchase or through a solar loan. Sungage Financial, based in Boston, Massachusetts, is a popular financier in the residential solar industry. If you’re comparing solar quotes from a few different solar installers, you may have received a loan option from Sungage. Here’s what you need to know about Sungage and their products.

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Solar financier partnerships: what you need to know

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One of the most important choices to make as you’re going solar is which installation company to work with. Online reviews, industry certifications, years in business, and equipment manufacturer endorsements are just a few ways to gauge the reputation and experience of one company over another. If you’re planning on financing a system with a solar loan, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for any partnerships with loan financiers, as they can be another indicator of a company’s credibility.

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Tesla solar renting vs. leasing vs. buying solar panels

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Tesla’s recently announced solar rental program was met with high hopes, as a program with the potential to make solar more accessible to more homeowners. With a sense of how the program works, the question becomes: how do the savings from renting solar panels form Tesla compare to the savings from owning or leasing solar panels?

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Tesla’s solar renting program: what you need to know

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Reading Time: 4 minutes

Tesla solar is back. After quarter over quarter of declining solar installations, Elon Musk launched (via tweet, of course) a new product for residential solar: the Tesla solar rental program. The program is a return to Tesla’s SolarCity roots, with a unique twist on the product that made SolarCity the leading national installer of solar prior to its acquisition by Tesla.

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The Lowtility solar + home loan product: the complete review

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Reading Time: 3 minutesBuying a house is a major investment that comes with many long-term variables to consider, including location, home style, sales price, and monthly utility bills. During the process of applying for a home mortgage, new buyers may also have the opportunity to think about other large home improvement investments that they would like to make once they move in to either increase the value of their home or decrease their monthly homeownership costs. The new solar + home loan from Lowtility is a unique option for home buyers looking to do just that by financing both a house purchase and a solar energy system installation all at once. Continue reading →

Energize CT rebates & energy efficiency upgrades for 2020

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Energize CT is Connecticut’s energy efficiency campaign and is sponsored by both your electric utility and energy efficiency providers. The program is available to renters, homeowners, and businesses across Connecticut. Here’s the breakdown of the different measures that you can take to reduce your energy use and resultant utility bills through the Energize CT program in 2020.

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Fannie Mae & Solar: HomeStyle Energy Program explained

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Reading Time: 3 minutesFor property owners who want to maximize their solar savings, solar loans make it possible to buy a solar energy system even if you don’t have the cash on hand to make a purchase. Solar loans come in many different forms, including home equity loans and home equity lines of credit, unsecured loans from specialty lenders, and Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) loans. Thanks to Fannie Mae, there’s a new solar financing option available to many homeowners – and it could be a game changer. If you’ve explored solar loans in the past and haven’t found what you’re looking for, it’s time to take a look at the new Fannie Mae HomeStyle Energy Program.

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BlueWave’s FlexRate loan: the complete review

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(Note: As of fall 2019, BlueWave no longer offers residential solar financing.)

Solar loans are an increasingly popular option for people interested in financing their solar panel systems. The trend away from leases and towards an ownership model like solar loans is a result of two key factors: the economic benefits and incentives available to solar customers and the greater accessibility of solar loan options.

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