BUY or LEASE? The Real Cost of Solar + Storage Systems
Solar panels and battery storage deliver lower electricity bills, energy resilience, and long-term independence from rising utility rates. But every homeowner faces one major question: Should you buy your solar + storage system, or lease it from a third party?
On the surface, leasing seems attractive. There is low or no upfront cost, maintenance is included, and you get immediate bill savings. However, buying gives you ownership, access to rebates, and greater lifetime savings. When installing Discover Energy Systems’ HELIOS ESS lithium battery, which has the lowest-cost-per-kWh storage solution in its class, the financial advantage of ownership is more apparent than ever.
The following illustrates the costs and benefits of buying vs. leasing solar + storage.
(This article will look at the leasing option only in third-party ownership systems. We will not examine the other third-party option, the power purchase agreement.)
Buying Solar + Storage with HELIOS ESS
Purchasing your solar + storage system means you own the equipment and all the value it produces. Rebates, tax credits, and bill savings flow directly to you—not a leasing company. With Discover’s HELIOS ESS, buyers get a scalable, high-performance battery at the best price per kWh on the market, maximizing both incentives and ROI.
Typical Costs (10 kW solar + 32 kWh HELIOS ESS battery)
|
Item |
Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
|
Solar panels (10 kW @ $1/W) |
$10,000 |
|
2 x HELIOS ESS (32 kWh @ $225/kWh) |
$7,200 |
|
Inverter, wiring, and peripheral equipment |
$8,000 |
|
Installation & labor |
$7,000 |
|
Gross system cost |
$32,200 |
|
Federal ITC (30%) expires 12/2025 |
-$15,000 |
|
Local rebates (varies depending on region) |
-$5,000 |
|
Net cost to owner |
$12,200 |
NOTE: If the cost of electricity in your area is $2000 per year, the system pays for itself in about 6 years.
Financing Solar + Storage
Most people do not have the cash to purchase their solar + storage system. They will take out a loan to finance the purchase. Financing will give you all the benefits of buying, but it will add an extra cost to fund the loan.
Typical Costs (10 kW solar + 32 kWh HELIOS ESS battery + Loan)
|
Item |
Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
|
Solar panels (10 kW @ $1/W) |
$10,000 |
|
2 x HELIOS ESS (32 kWh @ $225/kWh) |
$7,200 |
|
Inverter, wiring, and peripheral equipment |
$8,000 |
|
Installation & labor |
$7,000 |
|
Gross system cost |
$32,200 |
|
Federal ITC (30%) expires 12/2025 |
-$15,000 |
|
Local rebates (varies depending on region) |
-$5,000 |
|
Loan Amount |
$12,200 |
|
Financing Cost (8%) |
$2,652 |
|
Monthly Payment (4 years) |
$310 |
|
Net cost to owner |
$14,852 |
NOTE: If the cost of electricity in your area is $2,000 per year, the system pays for itself in about 7.5 years.
Leasing Solar + Storage
Leasing eliminates upfront costs. You pay a fixed monthly fee while the leasing company owns the system, collects incentives, and maintains it. You benefit from bill savings, but without ownership, the leased solar + storage will provide zero, or even negative, resale value.
Typical Lease Terms (same 10 kW + 32 kWh system)
|
Item |
Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
|
Upfront payment |
$0 – $1,000 |
|
Monthly lease payment |
$250 – $300 |
|
Lease term |
20 years |
|
Annual cost ($250 × 12) |
$3,000 |
|
Total lease payments |
$60,000 |
|
Ownership at end of term |
No (option to renew or buy at fair market value) |
NOTE:
- You cannot select the desired equipment in a leased system. The solar leasing company determines the installed equipment.
- When it comes to maintenance, you are dependent on the leasing company. If the system goes down and it takes a week to restore, the homeowner must pay for power from the utility during that time and is not reimbursed for this additional expense.
Pros and Cons
The following table lists the pros and cons between purchasing, financing, and leasing your solar + storage system.
|
Category |
Buying System with HELIOS ESS |
Financing System with HELIOS ESS |
Leasing System (any equipment) |
|
Electric bill savings |
PRO |
PRO |
PRO |
|
Rebates & incentives |
PRO |
PRO |
CON |
|
Financing cost |
PRO |
CON |
CON |
|
Maintenance |
CON |
CON |
PRO |
|
Resale value |
PRO |
PRO |
CON |
|
System ownership |
PRO |
PRO |
CON |
Lifetime Financial Comparison (20 Years)
|
Metric |
Buying System |
Financing System |
Leasing System |
|
S |
$12,200 |
14,852 |
$60,000 |
|
Total bill savings (20 yrs) |
$40,000 (2,000/yr) |
$40,000 (2,000/yr) | $40,000 (2,000/yr) |
|
Rebates & ITC benefit |
$20,000 |
$20,000 |
$0 |
|
Maintenance (20 yrs) |
($6,000) |
($6,000) |
$0 |
|
Net 20-year |
$21,800 |
$19,148 |
($20,000) |
Over a period of 20 years, leasing the system costs much more than the savings you can achieve on your utility bill.
If you buy or finance the system, with rebates and utility bill savings, the system pays for itself within 6 to 8 years and nets you $20,000 in the long run.
HELIOS ESS Makes Buying Even Better
By purchasing your solar + storage system, you have a choice on what equipment to install. You don’t have to accept any system; you can ask to use the HELIOS ESS.
Discover’s HELIOS ESS isn’t just another battery—it’s engineered for value and performance:
- Lowest $/kWh on the market, stretching every rebate dollar.
- Modular, scalable design to grow with your needs.
- Long cycle life and high efficiency for better performance.
- Seamless integration with leading hybrid inverters.
Buying a HELIOS ESS system is the clear choice when you combine these advantages.
Conclusion
Leasing may sound appealing because it reduces upfront costs, but dollar for dollar, it leaves you paying significantly more over time with nothing to show for it. Buying a solar + storage system based around Discover’s HELIOS ESS ensures you get every incentive, maximize long-term savings, and add real value to your property.
If you’re serious about energy independence and financial return, buying a HELIOS ESS solar + storage system is the smarter investment.
For more information on the HELIOS ESS, click here.