Solar Prepaid Lease: A Smarter Alternative to PPAs and Monthly Leasing

When you look for solar power or home battery backup in Utah, you’ll see a lot of different terms: PPAs, Monthly Leases, and Ownership. At Intermountain Wind & Solar, we believe in transparency. Here’s how our solar prepaid lease compares to the “standard” models you’ll find across Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming 

1. The IWS Solar Prepaid Lease (Our Recommended Model)

This is for the homeowner who wants a true “buy it and forget it” experience for solar panels or home battery storage, without the tax headache.

Upfront Cost: Discounted (You get an instant 15%–20% savings applied upfront to solar panels and select home battery systems).

• Monthly Payments: $0. You never receive a monthly bill for your solar system.

• Maintenance: 100% covered. A third party monitors the system 24/7 to ensure it’s performing.

• Selling Your Home: If you're planning on selling your home within 6 years of purchasing, the new owner will have to assume the remaining term of the lease. Since there is no monthly payment, the new buyer simply inherits the free power.

2. Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) & Monthly Leases

This is the "No Money Down" model often advertised on social media.

• Upfront Cost: $0.

• Monthly Payments: You pay for the power the panels produce or a set lease fee every month. Note: These often include a "price escalator," meaning your solar bill goes up 2-3% every year.

• The Catch: You don't get the 15%–20% instant discount. The solar company keeps the entire tax credit for themselves.

• Selling Your Home: Can be difficult. The new buyer must qualify for the lease and agree to take over your monthly payments.

3. Traditional Purchasing (Ownership)

This is for the homeowner who wants to own the "asset" entirely.

• Upfront Cost: Full Price.

• Monthly Payments: $0 (unless you take out a solar loan).

• Tax Credits: Federal residential tax credits expired at the end of 2025 under the “One Big Beautiful Bill” signed into law in July 2025. Under the old system, homeowners had to file paperwork and wait until tax season, and without sufficient tax liability, many never received the full benefit. The same uncertainty applied to battery storage systems.

• Maintenance: You are responsible for the system once the installer's labor warranty expires.

By choosing solar panels or home battery storage through our prepaid lease model, you receive instant savings of up to 20% upfront, without the risk of a monthly payment that increases over time. It’s the most secure way to protect your home from rising utility rates across Salt Lake City and the Intermountain West.