This calculator compares three 25-year options: No Solar System, PPA or Lease, and Purchasing.
No Solar vs PPA vs Purchase Comparison
Utility Details
$
/ kWh
Solar System Production
kW DC
kWh
Used to calculate total lifetime energy needs.
PPA Terms
$
/ kWh
The “locked-in” starting price.
How much your PPA rate increases every year.
Nevada average starting range:
$0.08 – $0.12
Solar System Purchase
$
/ Watt
*Current median price in Las Vegas
No Solar
$0
25-Year Utility Cost
- Year 1 Avg Bill $0 / mo
- Year 25 Avg Bill $0 / mo
- Equity Built None
PPA / Lease
$0
25-Year PPA Cost
- Year 1 Avg Bill $0 / mo
- Year 25 Avg Bill $0 / mo
Purchase
$0
Net System Cost (Paid Off)
- Power Cost (Yrs 10-25) $0 (Free)
- MaintenanceHomeowner
25-Year Cost Comparison
| Feature | Solar PPA / Lease | System Ownership |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront Cost | $0 Down | High (Or requires a loan) |
| Maintenance & Repairs | Solar company covers all repairs and monitoring. | You are responsible (covered by warranties). |
| Selling the Home | Selling a home with a PPA can be challenging, as many buyers may be hesitant to take over a contract initiated by someone else. | Homes with solar sold for 6.9% more than homes without solar panels, on average. Easy transaction. |
| Long-Term Value | Maybe cheaper than the grid, but you never stop paying the bill. | Power generated is free once the system is paid off. |
Disadvantages of PPA / Lease
- No added property value
- Difficulty selling your home
- Locked into a contract that can be sold without your consent
- Uncapped escalator clause
- Vague performance guarantees
- Same-day signing pressure
- No written buyout schedule
- Missed payments can result in liens on your home.
For more information: Solar Equity Solutions, Solar Reviews
Contract Insights
Disclaimer: This calculator models the cost of the energy produced by the solar system. It assumes your system covers 100% of your usage and models a standard 0.5% annual panel degradation. Ownership cost is shown as the Net Cash Price (Principal) for a direct comparison of total outlay; financing the purchase with a loan will add interest costs not shown here.