A company here in Portland is looking at installing a 3.29(DC) KW solar system with solar world (manufactured and based 30 minutes from my house) panels. Price is $14,987 and after federal tax credit and local rebates(which go to the company not me) the system upfront cost is $6,000. I then over the next 4 years receive a $1,500 per year state tax credit effectively paying for the system after 4 years while I receive an estimated $300 per year in electrical savings and get the added value of solar on my house. After 5 years there is a buyout option because the company has taken the panels depreciation and it's about $2,000 or I can continue to lease for another 15 years and after 20 years they take them off the house or I have another option to buyout. They take care of maintenance every 5 years and ensure against performance and defects for the 20 year panel life. Is this something that's common to lease the panels so the upfront cost is effectively $0 after tax credits or is it just that my state has amazing rebates. If this is common does this seem like a good deal? On paper it is a no brainer 5 year payback and I make $300 per year profit on my $6,000 investment, after 4 years I get my full investment back and save even more money as rates rise. Thanks in advance for your opinions.

Know any other low-risk investments that pay that well? Yours is not the only state with that level of subsidy- in MA subisdies that rich or richer are driving exponential growth in annual MW of installed PV. You may be getting a better subsidy from the state for the home-grown goods, or not- it depends on how they're written.

The subsidies really skew the market, but if you have the $15K in capital to run the whole thing without the lease encumbrance you may even be further ahead. If you lease and need/want to sell the property before the term of the lease is up it becomes a sticky-wicket. Most solar lease deals are transferable to the new owners, provided they even want it, but it adds another layer of paperwork and a third party into the negotiations, complicating the picture.

There are multiple nationwide PV leasing companies chasing subsidies. You might want to run an internet search and get multiple proposals- it's a competitive market.

Yes I have another coming out this Thursday that is a national chain( I prefer to buy local) but wanted to compare their pricing. I do not plan on selling the house as it will be a rental if I move out in the planned 3-5 years. I am not looking for a 100% payback, I want to do it cause it's the right thing and to learn more and as a business owner I think it would help me sell more. I don't have the cash upfront as other home improvement projects are taking my funds so the $6,000 lease is attractive.

What are more $$ about all the subsid's of what could be further advantageous, if any, to adding direct HW or Space-Comfort Solar to PV and within Sky's plans/research?  Of that we might get if solar credits are applicable to $20,000 off of a #60,000 plan, residentially.

Sky:
That sales promo by experience and possession seems would 'heat' heat things up way past those $ROI-on-operation.

Just pulled the trigger on a 3.36 KW DC system with Solar world panels and mostly American made parts, $4550 up front and I receive a $6000 state tax credit, it was a no brainer I get paid to put up the solar, I do love Oregon rebates! It is a PPA where I prepay for all the power so no credit checks and I can easily transfer ownership or move panels to my next residence but at a 3 year break even(Oregon tax credit is $1,500 a year for 4 years) it is something everybody here should do.

The $6000 is the maximum rebate, but is also limited to 50% of your net cost.
So if your net is $4550, the maximum credit will be $2275.

I just saw that solarcity is going public. Elon Musk is part of it. They are doing the all in one lease/PPA deals.

Definitely do it. I say, if you can afford to go solar you should, and your tax credits seem to be exceptionally well in Oregon, not to mention what you will save in your electric bill over the years. We are at that tipping point of the solar age. I believe we will see solar more and more in the up coming years.