In recent years, the pace of solar installation across America has been accelerating, The New York Times reported. Homeowners far and wide have discovered the incredible benefits of owning their own solar panels, which pay for themselves and then some.

However, recent changes to federal incentives have made it more difficult to buy solar panels outright, removing financial support that helped to reduce the upfront investment needed to make the purchase.

Despite this change, savvy homeowners are still installing solar panels at a higher rate than ever before. But now, many of them are leasing rather than buying with the help of solar companies.

In the Times' coverage of solar leasing — which it called "a rare bright spot for U.S. solar" — it wrote about Sunrun, a San Francisco-based company that leases the solar panels it installs on customers' houses.

Leasing helps homeowners avoid the skyrocketing energy prices that have plagued most of America in recent years. When it comes to saving money on your utility bills, there are few better ways to insulate yourself from rising prices than to install solar panels, which can reduce or even eliminate an electric bill. Not only that, but the addition of battery storage makes your home more disaster-proof when outages occur. 

TCD's Solar Explorer can walk you through multiple solar options and help you make the right choice for your situation. The tool can help you get in touch with vetted solar partners, including solar leasing options like Palmetto. 

Palmetto's LightReach program offers a $0-down subscription option for homeowners on a budget that can cut your utility rate by up to 20% and allow you to take advantage of the federal tax credits that are no longer available for homeowners who purchase panels.

With the help of other electrical appliances, you can bring your power bill down even lower. Use TCD's HVAC Explorer to find the perfect heat pump or efficient HVAC system to fit your home and budget. For a boost to your home upgrades, unlock up to $5,000 in rewards using the Palmetto Home app. This free app gives you credit for simple actions you take in your everyday life, so get started today.

FROM OUR PARTNER Save $10,000 on solar panels — or get them on your roof without paying for purchase or installation Whatever your solar budget, Palmetto can help you save. If you want to buy your own panels, Palmetto's concierge advisors can help you save up to $10,000 on installation through a network of preferred installers. And if you'd rather get solar savings without upfront costs, Palmetto's revolutionary LightReach subscription program can deliver. LightReach lets you lease solar panels with no money down, making it painless to lock in long-term savings. Palmetto covers a 25-year warranty for the panels, which means you'll get reliable performance without unforeseen costs. To get started, just answer a few basic questions about your home and connect with Palmetto's experts to find the option that's right for you. Start Saving

With the federal tax credits for solar purchase gone, leasing is gaining steam across the country.

"There is no stopping, from a big-picture perspective, this consumer-led revolution toward a better way to power homes, lives, and the grid. Full stop," said chief executive Mary Powell of Sunrun, per the Times.

Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices — and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club.

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