Financing Comparison

TPO vs PPA vs Prepaid vs Cash — side-by-side analysis per project

2026 Market Shift: TPO Dominates

Section 25D expired Dec 2025. TPO now accounts for 69% of residential installs (up from 45% in 2025). TAG GRID No-FICO and Propel Prepaid options are the fastest-growing financing pathways.

Marcus JohnsonPRO-2026-0002

Austin, TX10.5 kW system — $34,200 contract

TPO — PPA selected
TPO — PPA

Power Purchase Agreement

Monthly
$125/mo
Upfront
$0
25-Year Cost
$37,500
Tax Credit
$10,260
FEOC compliant equipment required
Provider
TAG GRID
Credit Req
No FICO required
TPO — Lease

Monthly lease payment

Monthly
$135/mo
Upfront
$0
25-Year Cost
$49,200
Tax Credit
$10,260
1.5% annual escalator
FEOC compliant equipment required
Provider
Sunlight Financial
Credit Req
good
Prepaid

Upfront payment, TPO benefits

Monthly
Upfront
$23,940
25-Year Cost
$23,940
Tax Credit
$10,260
FEOC compliant equipment required
Provider
Propel (SolSource)
Credit Req
none
Cash Purchase

Direct ownership

Monthly
Upfront
$34,200
25-Year Cost
$34,200
Tax Credit
None
Provider
Direct purchase
Credit Req
none
Lisa ChenPRO-2026-0005

Santa Monica, CA11.8 kW system — $45,000 contract

Prepaid selected
TPO — PPA

Power Purchase Agreement

Monthly
$165/mo
Upfront
$0
25-Year Cost
$49,500
Tax Credit
$13,500
FEOC compliant equipment required
Provider
TAG GRID
Credit Req
No FICO required
TPO — Lease

Monthly lease payment

Monthly
$178/mo
Upfront
$0
25-Year Cost
$68,400
Tax Credit
$13,500
2% annual escalator
FEOC compliant equipment required
Provider
Mosaic
Credit Req
good
Prepaid

Upfront payment, TPO benefits

Monthly
Upfront
$31,500
25-Year Cost
$31,500
Tax Credit
$13,500
FEOC compliant equipment required
Provider
Propel (SolSource)
Credit Req
none
Cash Purchase

Direct ownership

Monthly
Upfront
$45,000
25-Year Cost
$45,000
Tax Credit
None
Provider
Direct purchase
Credit Req
none
James WilsonPRO-2026-0010

Tampa, FL8.8 kW system — $30,200 contract

TPO — Lease selected
TPO — PPA

Power Purchase Agreement

Monthly
$110/mo
Upfront
$0
25-Year Cost
$33,000
Tax Credit
$9,060
FEOC compliant equipment required
Provider
TAG GRID
Credit Req
No FICO required
TPO — Lease

Monthly lease payment

Monthly
$118/mo
Upfront
$0
25-Year Cost
$35,400
Tax Credit
$9,060
FEOC compliant equipment required
Provider
TAG GRID
Credit Req
No FICO required
Prepaid

Upfront payment, TPO benefits

Monthly
Upfront
$21,140
25-Year Cost
$21,140
Tax Credit
$9,060
FEOC compliant equipment required
Provider
Propel (SolSource)
Credit Req
none
Cash Purchase

Direct ownership

Monthly
Upfront
$30,200
25-Year Cost
$30,200
Tax Credit
None
Provider
Direct purchase
Credit Req
none