No Tax Credit Needed.
Go Solar for $0.
The 30% federal solar tax credit expired December 31, 2025 — but California homeowners still qualify for $0-down solar through a Power Purchase Agreement. The PPA provider claims the commercial 48E tax credit and passes the savings to you as a lower per-kWh rate. No purchase, no loan, no tax liability required.
- $0 down — no purchase, no loan, no ownership
- Pay per kWh set below PG&E, SMUD, SCE, or SDG&E rates
- Provider claims 48E tax credit — passes savings to you
- Provider owns, monitors, and maintains the system
- 650+ credit score — soft pull to check eligibility
🔒 Soft pull only · No obligation · Local follow-up within 1 hour
Find Your
Best PPA Option
60 seconds. No credit pull. We match you to the right PPA for your home and utility.
Soft pull only · No obligation · Free
Which $0-Down PPA Is Right for You?
Three providers are available now. We match you to the best fit based on your utility, bill size, and whether you want battery backup. Everbright is temporarily paused — LightReach, EnFin, and GoodLeap cover the same ground with equal or better terms today.
LightReach
Solar + Battery PPA
The only PPA that bundles solar panels and a home battery in one agreement. Under NEM 3.0, the battery stores midday solar and discharges during expensive 4–9pm peak hours — maximizing self-consumption and savings. Best overall value for PG&E and SCE customers.
- Solar + battery storage in one $0-down PPA
- Fixed per-kWh rate set below your utility rate
- Palmetto owns, monitors, and maintains all equipment
- PSPS outage backup — no generator needed
- Available in PG&E, SCE, SDG&E territory
- 650+ credit score · soft pull to check eligibility
EnFin
Levelized Solar PPA
EnFin's Levelized PPA is structured differently from a standard per-kWh agreement — your monthly payment is fixed based on 12-month average production, so you know exactly what you'll pay every month. Backed by Qcells, one of the largest US solar manufacturers. Monitored by Omnidian.
- Fixed monthly payment — not variable per-kWh billing
- 0%, 2.99%, or 3.5% annual escalator options
- No payments until Permission to Operate (PTO)
- Buyout option available — path to ownership
- Omnidian monitoring — repairs covered at no cost
- Available in PG&E, SCE, and SMUD territory
- 650+ credit score · soft pull to check eligibility
GoodLeap
Solar PPA
GoodLeap is one of the largest residential solar financing platforms in the US. Their PPA emphasizes consumer education — explanatory materials are built directly into the agreement so you understand exactly what you're signing before you commit. Strong digital process, fast paperless execution.
- $0 down — no purchase or ownership required
- 0%–2.99% annual escalator options
- Buyout option available at fair market value after 5 years
- Contract transparency — educational materials built in
- Battery add-on available at additional cost
- Available across all California utilities
- 650+ credit score · soft pull to check eligibility
Everbright
Solar PPA
Everbright is a dedicated solar PPA platform serving California PG&E and SCE customers with competitive per-kWh rates and a streamlined approval process.
- $0 down solar PPA — pay per kWh below utility rate
- Competitive rates for PG&E and SCE territory
- Dedicated solar PPA platform — streamlined process
- 650+ credit score · soft pull to check eligibility
Which PPA Fits Your Home?
Answer three quick questions and we'll point you toward your best starting option. Your savings calculation confirms the final recommendation.
Find Your Best PPA Match
Select the option that best describes your situation — recommendation updates instantly.
How a Solar PPA Actually Works
From your first eligibility check to the day your bill drops — here's every step, with no surprises.
Eligibility Check
We confirm your address, utility, and credit — soft pull only, zero impact to your score. We identify which PPA programs you qualify for and match you to the best available rate.
Soft Pull OnlySystem Design
Your system is sized around your home's actual 12-month usage and roof orientation. The PPA provider calculates your fixed per-kWh rate and we show you projected savings vs. your current utility bill.
No ObligationSign & Permit
You review and sign your agreement digitally. The provider files permits with your utility. A hard credit pull occurs at signing — you'll be notified before it happens. No surprises.
Digital — PaperlessInstall & Pay Less
A licensed crew installs your system. Once your utility grants Permission to Operate (PTO), solar generation begins. Your utility bill drops — you pay the PPA provider for what your system produces, not the utility.
EnFin: First Payment After PTOPPA Programs Available Across California
We serve PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, and SMUD customers statewide. LightReach, EnFin, and GoodLeap cover all four utility territories — no travel adder, no geographic restriction. Not sure which utility serves your address? Check our service area map →
PPA vs. Owning Your System
Every option has the right use case. Here's the honest breakdown so you can decide what fits your goals before your estimate call.
| $0 DownSolar PPA | Own ItPrepaid Lease | Own ItCash / Loan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront Cost | $0 Down | 30% off upfront — cash or credit union loan | Full system cost or loan required |
| Who Owns System | PPA Provider | You (after 5 years) | You (from day 1) |
| How You Pay | Per kWh produced (or fixed monthly via EnFin) | One upfront payment | Monthly loan payment |
| Annual Rate Increase | 0%–3.5% escalator depending on provider | None — locked at signing | None — fixed loan payment |
| Maintenance | Included — provider responsible | Your responsibility | Your responsibility |
| Federal Tax Credit | Provider claims 48E — passed to you in rate | 3rd party claims 48E — passed as 30% discount | 25D expired Dec 31, 2025 — no longer available |
| Credit Score | 650+ | None (cash) · 650+ (CU loan) | 650+ · 720+ for best rates |
| Builds Home Equity | No | Yes | Yes |
| Payback Period | N/A — no ownership, immediate savings from month 1 | Solar only: ~4 years · Solar + battery: 8–9 years | Solar only: ~4 years · Solar + battery: 8–9 years |
| Best For | $0 down, no maintenance, immediate savings | Ownership benefits without needing tax credit | Maximum long-term ROI and home equity |
What Is a PPA Escalator — and Does It Matter?
A PPA escalator is a small annual increase — typically 0% to 3.5% — built into your per-kWh rate at signing. It's the most commonly misunderstood term in a PPA agreement and the one most worth understanding before you sign.
Here's the key context: California utility rates have risen an average of 6–8% per year over the past decade, according to EIA state electricity data. A 2.99% PPA escalator is less than half that rate of increase. So even as your PPA rate climbs, it typically stays well below what you'd be paying the utility.
The table to the right shows a typical scenario: a PPA starting at $0.18/kWh with a 2.99% escalator vs. a utility starting at $0.30/kWh rising at 6% annually. The gap between what you pay and what you'd otherwise owe stays meaningful for the full 25-year term.
What to ask before you sign: What is my escalator rate? Is it 0%, 2.99%, or 3.5%? GoodLeap and EnFin both offer 0% escalator options — your rate stays flat for the full 25-year term in exchange for a slightly higher starting rate.
| Year | PPA Rate (2.99% escalator) |
PG&E Rate (6% annual rise) |
Your Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $0.18/kWh | $0.30/kWh | $0.12/kWh |
| Year 5 | $0.208/kWh | $0.379/kWh | $0.171/kWh |
| Year 10 | $0.241/kWh | $0.507/kWh | $0.266/kWh |
| Year 15 | $0.280/kWh | $0.678/kWh | $0.398/kWh |
| Year 20 | $0.325/kWh | $0.907/kWh | $0.582/kWh |
| Year 25 | $0.377/kWh | $1.213/kWh | $0.836/kWh |
| ✓ Even at year 25, PPA rate stays well below projected utility rate | |||
Illustrative example. PPA starting rate, escalator, and projected utility rate vary by provider, territory, and system size. Actual savings calculated at time of proposal based on your current utility rate. PG&E historical rate data via EIA.gov.
They Said $0 Down Was Real.
It Was.
"I was skeptical at first but the $0 down PPA was completely real. Install was done in three weeks and our first bill afterward was under $20. Wish I'd done this two years ago."
"No pressure, no gimmicks — just clear answers about what my bill would look like after solar. We're saving about $160 a month. Ed walked me through every step and the install was done in under 30 days."
"Ed Watts is incredibly knowledgeable and is the kind of professional who genuinely cares about doing what's right for his clients. You can tell he values integrity and long-term relationships over quick sales."
Actually Saves Your Home
Enter your monthly bill and utility — the calculator shows your estimated PPA rate, projected savings, and how it compares to what you'd pay staying on the grid. 60 seconds. Soft pull only.
Solar PPA Straight Answers
See Your PPA Savings
in 60 Seconds
No credit pull. No obligation. Enter your monthly bill and utility — the calculator shows your estimated PPA rate, projected savings, and how all four options compare side by side.
🔒 No credit pull · No spam · Free · Sales by Watts Home Services LLC · Install by Solar Savings Direct CSLB #1065773