Don’t Buy Solar Panels Until You Watch This
May 9, 20267 Solar Mistakes That Will Cost You $20,000
May 9, 2026When a solar salesperson presents you with a lease, they’re showing you a monthly payment that looks attractive. What they’re not showing you is what you give up over 25 years. Jon runs the real numbers.
For New Jersey homeowners: For New Jersey homeowners specifically, buying or financing solar almost always wins over leasing — because NJ SRECs (the state’s solar income program) are paid to the system owner, not the leasing company. If you sign a lease, the installer captures your SREC income for 15–20 years. That alone can mean forfeiting $8,000–15,000 that would otherwise be yours.
What a Lease Actually Is
A solar lease means a company installs panels on your roof and charges you a monthly fee to use the electricity they produce. You don’t own the panels. You don’t get the SREC income. You don’t get any increase in home value. And in most leases, your monthly payment escalates 2–3% every year for 20–25 years.
The Escalator Trap
That 2.9% annual escalator sounds small. But over 20 years it compounds. A lease that starts at $120/month becomes $210/month by year 20 — whether utility rates go up or not. You’ve locked yourself into a rising payment with no ownership to show for it.
NJ Homeowners Lose SREC Income
New Jersey’s SREC program pays solar owners for every megawatt-hour their system produces. On a typical NJ home system, that’s $500–$1,500 per year in SREC income. With a lease, that money goes to the leasing company — not to you. Over 25 years that’s $12,500–$37,500 gone.
Home Sale Complications
Selling a home with a leased solar system means either buying out the lease (often $15,000–$30,000) or convincing your buyer to assume it. Many buyers won’t. It complicates and sometimes kills home sales.
The Ownership Math
With a solar loan, you own the system from day one. You get the SREC income, the full bill savings, and the home value increase. Monthly loan payments are often similar to or lower than lease payments — and they end in 10–12 years. After that, 13+ years of free electricity.
Find Out What Solar Saves You in Your Home
Every home is different — roof angle, usage, utility rate, and local incentives all affect your numbers. Enter your monthly electric bill below for a free savings estimate. Jon reviews every submission personally and follows up within 2 hours.
What the Lease vs Buy Math Looks Like for Your NJ Home
Every home is different — roof size, electricity usage, and which utility you’re on all affect the numbers. Jon runs the exact comparison for your specific situation, including NJ SREC income projections over 15 years, before you commit to anything. Book a free call to get the real numbers for your home.
