There's no one way to go solar in your home. Being able to choose between personal panels and community solar, or between ownership and leasing, makes it possible for you to choose the route that best suits your needs.

In the r/solar subreddit, one homeowner prompted Reddit users to discuss the merits of solar panel leasing or Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) over total ownership.

To learn more about your options, you can head to The Cool Down's Solar Explorer page, where you'll discover trusted solar services that can score you massive savings as you upgrade your home.

"While both options save money on bills, purchasing solar panels outright or with a loan generally provides better long-term financial returns," the poster wrote. So, what are the benefits to a lease agreement?

Solar ownership may seem the more appealing option if you're in it for the long haul; after all, homeowners get access to the full amount of the energy their panels generate. However, the initial installation is pricey, and it can take you over a decade to break even, so if you're still unsure about solar or just want a lower-stakes alternative, solar leasing may be the right path for you.

Leasing panels also allows homeowners to offload maintenance and repairs onto your lessor, which makes for a less demanding responsibility. All the while, you'll slash your energy bills and make your household more eco-conscious, all at a fixed monthly rate or tailored PPA payments.

Since conventional forms of energy production rely on the combustion of fossil fuels and release pollution into our atmosphere, choosing clean energy upgrades for your home can help you reduce your footprint. 

The heat trapped on our planet has been linked to unstable weather patterns, supercharged extreme weather, resource shortages, and more, and while your personal contribution to the problem may be small in the grand scheme of things, it never hurts to make greener choices. 

Installing solar panels can sever your dependence on the nonrenewable power grid and bring your home energy costs close to $0. With TCD's Solar Explorer, you can save up to $10,000 by connecting with vetted solar partners that can guide you as you make the switch. 

If you're interested in leasing, like the aforementioned Redditor, Palmetto's LightReach leasing program offers a $0-down subscription plan that can lower your utility rates by up to 20% and allow you to reap the benefits of hassle-free solar energy. You'll even have access to certain federal tax credits that have otherwise been shelved for direct purchases. 

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For solar ownership, check out EnergySage — another of TCD's partners — to score fantastic incentives and reach out to local installation services as you get started.

Solar panels pair exceptionally well with updated energy-efficient appliances, and upgrading your HVAC can reduce your energy bills by up to 50%. Visit TCD's HVAC Explorer for budget-friendly electric or hybrid HVAC options. 

For any and all clean energy upgrades you may make, the Palmetto Home app can earn you up to $5,000 in rewards.

Commenters were quick to share their own solar experiences and voice their opinions in the leasing-versus-ownership debate.

"Had I gone with a PPA, and invested the $45k instead, I would be much better off today," one user wrote. "The solar was still the best investment I've made … But had I parked that $45k and took the PPA option 6 years ago I'd have profited an additional $35k."

"Don't ever get a solar lease or a PPA, just buy outright," another countered.

Another provided one explanation for why PPA agreements make sense for some: "We didn't have the cash upfront, and a home equity loan had too many hoops on our situation. Even so, doing the math, I'd double my electric bill for which is what I was trying to avoid."

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