One question, answered straight

How do I pay for solar in 2026?

Solar Assure offers two ways to pay: cash purchase, or a solar loan with $0 down, subject to credit approval through third-party lenders. We don't sell leases or power purchase agreements. PACE financing exists in select Missouri jurisdictions but usually costs more than our standard loan. Loan terms matter more now that the federal tax credit is gone.

By Joshua Hayeslip · Founder and CEO, Solar Assure

What we actually offer

Two ways to pay, nothing invented.

Cash purchaseFull ownership from day one, no financing cost, no monthly payment. The straightforward math on every payback page on this site assumes a cash or loan purchase.YOU OWN IT
Solar loan, $0 down availableFinanced through third-party lenders, subject to credit approval. No upfront payment or deposit required for qualifying applicants. Terms (rate, length, fees) vary by lender and credit profile and are shown in your proposal before you sign.SUBJECT TO CREDIT APPROVAL
PACE financing (select MO jurisdictions)A state-authorized financing mechanism still active in participating Missouri cities and counties. Solar Assure's conventional loan options typically beat PACE on rate; we mention it for completeness, not as our primary recommendation.MISSOURI ONLY, SELECT AREAS

What we don't sell: leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs), where a third-party company owns the system instead of you. Some competitors' financing is built around those structures, which affects home resale differently than an owned system. Solar Assure sells owned systems only.

Why this changed in 2026

The federal credit is gone, so financing terms matter more.

The 30 percent federal residential tax credit under Section 25D ended for installations completed after December 31, 2025. Cash and loan buyers, which is everyone Solar Assure sells to, no longer get that 30 percent reduction built into their effective cost. That makes the loan rate and term you qualify for a bigger share of your total cost than it was a year ago, which is exactly why we show financed and cash numbers side by side rather than leading with a "$0 down" headline that hides the underlying math. See our full breakdown of what changed with the tax credit for the statute itself.

The fine print

What “locking in your rate” actually means.

A fixed-rate loan payment doesn't change while your utility's rates keep climbing, which is the real substance behind "locking in" language. It does not mean your total energy spending is frozen: most homes stay connected to the grid, keep a utility service charge, and buy some grid power, especially in winter or as usage grows. Whether a financed monthly payment lands below your current electric bill depends on your system size, usage, utility rate, and the specific loan terms you're approved for; your proposal shows the actual comparison before you commit to anything.

Source: Solar Assure disclosures page, section 2.

Common questions

Financing, answered honestly.

Does Solar Assure offer leases or PPAs?

No. Solar Assure sells owned systems only, paid for with cash or a loan. Leases and power purchase agreements involve a third-party company owning the system instead of you, which is a different ownership structure than anything Solar Assure offers.

Is $0 down really $0 down?

For qualifying applicants, yes: no upfront payment and no deposit, subject to credit approval through third-party lenders. Not every applicant is approved, and approved terms (rate, length, fees) vary by lender and credit profile. Your exact payment is shown in your proposal before you sign.

Is PACE financing better than a solar loan?

Usually not, on rate. Solar Assure's conventional loan partners typically offer better terms than PACE, which is one of the few state-authorized financing mechanisms still actively used in Missouri and is available only in participating cities and counties. We mention it for completeness, not as our default recommendation.

Josh handles financing questions personally rather than routing them to a call center. If a financing term in your proposal is unclear, ask him directly.

Joshua Hayeslip
Written by
Founder and CEO, Solar Assure
Last updated September 24, 2026 · ~5 min read

See your real payment, cash or financed.

Run the calculator, then ask us about financing terms directly. No credit pull to see your numbers.

Or call (636) 679-0998 or email josh@solarassure.net.