Monthly Solar PPA and Solar Lease Options in California
Looking to go solar with no upfront cost?
Our Monthly TPO (Third-Party Ownership) programs—Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) and solar leases—make it easy to enjoy clean energy and lower utility bills without the hassle of ownership. Home Pro Roofing and Solar offers flexible monthly options designed for homeowners who want the benefits of solar power without the large investment.
What is TPO or Third Party Ownership?
When homeowners go solar, they can do so under two broad categories. They can buy their system themselves, either paying upfront out-of-pocket or financing with a loan, or they can utilize TPO or “Third Party Ownership.”
When someone buys their solar system, they own the equipment on their roof. When a homeowner goes with a TPO product, they do not own the system on their roof, either the installing solar company or a financial company does. There are two types of TPO: Power Purchase Agreement and Lease.
What is a Power Purchase Agreement?
A Power Purchase Agreement, or PPA, is when the solar company or a third party developer owns, operates, and maintains the solar system on the homeowner's roof. The customer enters into an agreement, usually 20 or 25 years, and agrees to purchase the electricity from that solar system instead of continuing to purchase electricity from the power company.
In a way, customers have had a "power purchase agreement" with their utility company since they've had an electric bill, but there are some significant differences. With the power company, they have zero say or control over what they're paying per kWh and often experience random price hikes. With our solar PPA, they'll know exactly what their electricity will cost for the duration of their agreement.
Another difference is what exactly the customer is paying for. Right now, with the power company, they are paying a certain amount for each kWh they consume. With a PPA, they will pay a certain amount for each kWh their system produces.
What is a Lease?
A lease is similar to a PPA, but it has some notable differences. A solar company or a third party developer owns, operates, and maintains the solar system on the homeowner's roof, same as a PPA, and they are still entering into a long-term agreement, usually 20 or 25 years. The difference lies in what the homeowner is actually paying for.
A PPA customer pays for the electricity produced by their system, but a lease customer pays for the equipment. They still do not own the system on their roof, but because they're leasing the equipment, they pay no additional cost for any electricity produced. The vast majority of the time, PPAs and Leases are priced-out the same.
Why choose TPO?
As you know, there is no wrong way to go solar, only good options and the best option. There are benefits to owning your solar system, both emotional and logical, but sometimes it makes more sense for the customer to choose TPO. So, what are those times?
Tax Incentives
The federal Residential Clean Energy Credit under Section 25D ended for expenditures made after December 31, 2025. For new homeowner-owned systems in 2026, the former 30% residential solar credit is no longer available. Third-party-owned solar arrangements follow different eligibility and tax rules.
Under a solar PPA or lease, a third-party company generally owns the system. A qualifying third-party owner, not the homeowner, may be eligible for applicable business tax incentives. Any economic benefit reflected in customer pricing depends on the program, eligibility, and signed agreement.
Long-Term Protection
When a homeowner purchases their solar system, whether it's with cash or a loan, they enjoy many warranties. These warranties vary based on the company the customer purchases their system from, but typically include workmanship and roof penetration warranties. Customers also have manufacturers' warranties on the equipment they purchased, the value of which completely depend on the financial strength of the manufacturer. If that company goes out of business, the homeowner's warranties are often rendered worthless.
PPAs and Leases normally come with increased protections because the solar company owns the system and are responsible for its maintenance, repair, etc. The exact coverage varies based on the company's agreement, but typically, if anything happens that is not the homeowner's fault or force majeure, it is the solar company's responsibility to repair it ASAP.
Of course, a customer still has protections when purchasing their system outright. They have all of the warranties that come with their system, both manufacturer and otherwise, but TPO typically offers more peace of mind and stronger guarantees - Especially with Axia by Qcells.
Insurance
When a homeowner purchases their solar system, they report it to their homeowner's insurance because the system becomes part of the home. This has varying effects on homeowners' premiums as sometimes rates are raised, lowered, or stay the same depending on their insurance company.
Customers who opt for TPO do not have to worry about insurance because the solar company who owns the system insures it. The customer does not own the system on their roof, so they do not need to report it to their homeowner's insurance.
Summary
A homeowner who signs up for TPO has a solar system, owned by a solar company, installed on their roof. They then pay for either the power produced (PPA) or the equipment (lease) in the form of ongoing monthly payments for the length of the term. These monthly payments typically come with a yearly escalator to compensate for inflation.
Monthly solar PPAs and leases can be alternatives to buying solar with cash or a loan. Compare the starting payment, annual escalator, contract length, maintenance obligations, ownership, transfer provisions, and total cost before choosing an agreement.
Enfin Monthly TPO Product
An approved third-party-owned solar program may be worth comparing with homeowner-owned financing, especially when minimizing the upfront payment is a priority. Program availability, approved installers, equipment, contract terms, and warranties must be confirmed in the current written offer.
Increased Protections
When a customer purchases a system, they get the following warranties:
- 25-year Workmanship
- 25-year Performance (*30 years if financed by Enfin)
- 25-year Solar Panel Product
- 12-year Battery Storage
- 10-year Inverter
- 10-year Roof Penetration
Solar panel, inverter, battery, installation, roof penetration, monitoring, and service warranties are not interchangeable. The specific provider and coverage terms for any EnFin, Axia, or other third-party-owned system depend on the signed program and equipment agreements. Do not assume universal 25-year coverage or guaranteed repairs without reviewing the contract.
Some third-party-owned solar agreements include a production guarantee, but the guaranteed amount, measurement period, exclusions, credits, and responsible provider differ by program. Review your own signed agreement before relying on a particular percentage or reimbursement.
If the program includes a production guarantee, ask for the production schedule and the contract language showing how any shortfall is calculated, when it is evaluated, and what remedy applies.
Review your agreement's production guarantee, if one is provided. Its thresholds, exclusions, measurement period, and any payment or credit for underproduction are specific to the program and must not be assumed from an illustrative example.
Battery and Inverter Coverage Depends on Your Agreement
Solar batteries and inverters have equipment-specific manufacturer warranties, which may differ from the third-party provider's maintenance or replacement obligations. Ask which party pays for diagnosis, labor, replacements, and service after a manufacturer warranty expires.
Some third-party-owned agreements include battery and inverter maintenance or replacement during the contract term, subject to exclusions and other conditions. Do not assume no-cost replacement; obtain the current written agreement to identify the responsible provider and terms.
"When, if ever, can I buy-out the system?"
Customers can buy-out their system when they sell their home as long as it’s after that 5th anniversary, or at the end of the 25-year term. The solar system's fair market value (FMV) will be appraised by a third party and the customer would pay the full FMV.
In order to get the free battery replacement, a customer must still be under the terms of the PPA/Lease. If a customer buys-out their system when they sell their home after the 5th anniversary, for example, the new homeowner will need to come out-of-pocket when they likely need a new battery a decade or so later.
If someone is selling their home before the battery replacement, it may be in their best interest to advertise to new homeowners that they will receive a new battery when needed, as well as enjoy increased protections, assuming they stay under the terms of the PPA/Lease.
"What happens at the end of the 25-year term?"
Customers have several options at the end of the "initial" term.
- Rinse and Repeat
The customer can get a brand new system at the completion of their term. We will remove the old system at no cost, and the homeowner can explore options to purchase or finance a new system with us.
- Outright Purchase
Customers can elect to purchase the system and keep it on their roof as-is. As mentioned earlier, a third party will appraise the FMV of the system.
- Automatic Renewal
Customers will be notified when their term is coming to a close. If they don't make any choices, their agreement will automatically renew for a five-year term. The monthly payments will be based on the electricity their system produces in that month multiplied by a per kWh rate 10% less than their utility, with a 2.99% annual escalator. The customer will also pay $70 per month per battery attached to their system.
Miscellaneous Notes
- The third-party solar owner, not the homeowner, may be eligible for applicable business tax benefits. Grid services participation and any opt-out rights depend on the current written PPA or lease agreement.
- If a customer chooses TPO for their PV-only system, they will need to purchase the system if they want to add a battery later.
- If the design changes after the customer signs up (for example after the site assessment), you must re-do the proposal in Aurora and send a new contract in order to ensure the Production Guarantee Table in the contract is accurate.
Omnidian
Enfin has enlisted a third-party company, Omnidian (not owned by Qcells), to actively monitor all installed TPO systems. Not only do they monitor systems, but they are also responsible for coordinating service for the customer if/when necessary. Axia by Qcells will be the first call, and customers can expect Axia to be the ones doing the service.
When signing up a customer for TPO, you need to tell them about Omnidian. The company will be mentioned in Enfin's mandatory TPO welcome call, and if a customer didn't know about them previously, they will be confused and it could delay your project.
Customer Qualifications
- At least 18 years of age
- Valid Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
- At least one applicant must be listed on title
- Legally eligible to execute a contract
Property Qualifications
- Permanently affixed to the ground
- Multi-Unit Dwellings like Townhomes and Condos
- Must own the roof
- HOA approval, if applicable
- Units must be metered separately
- Homes in trusts qualify
- Ground mounts NOT accepted. Enfin will fund loans for ground mounts, but not TPO.
Summary of Enfin Monthly TPO
- A potential option for eligible customers comparing third-party ownership with cash purchases and available loans
- Monthly payments may compare favorably with loan terms, depending on the starting rate, annual escalator, contract term and total cost
- Provider-specific equipment, maintenance and warranty coverage must be reviewed in the written agreement
- Production guarantees, if offered, follow the program's written terms
- Battery and inverter replacement coverage, if offered, follows the contract and applicable equipment warranties