Solar Lease vs. Clear-Title Solar™ Comparison Calculator

Most solar financing creates hidden markups, separate contracts, and title complications. BrightNest Mortgage™ keeps solar inside the mortgage framework so closings stay on time and ownership is clean from day one.

%

Tax Awareness (Optional)

Estimate only. Not tax advice.

Asset - BrightNest Mortgage

Clear-Title Solar™ with tax-deductible interest - own your solar, build equity, eliminate utility bills

System size: 10.13 kW | System cost: $21,213 at $2.09/W - No dealer fees, no Domestic Content markup
$122/mo
Own The Sun
Home Equity Gained
+$20,650
5.9% FL avg home value increase
Lease Comparison
17.3% More
Lease costs more
25-Year Total Cost
$35,100
Payback Period
Day 1

Main Benefits:

✓
Clear-Title Solar™ - No UCC-1 liens
✓
Tax-deductible interest payments
✓
Zero dealer fees (save 30-35%)
✓
No DTI issues - integrated into mortgage
✓
Solar held in escrow holdback so closing stays on schedule
✓
5.9% home value increase (FL average)
✓
13.3% less time on market (resale)
✓
FHA-first: solar can be financed up to 120% of the home's appraised value

Who is this for?

For smart homeowners who understand the difference between an asset and a liability.

Liability - Solar Lease

Rent solar panels with monthly payments forever. Leases often introduce separate contracts, markups, and title complications.

System value: $27,332 at $2.70/W - Higher due to Domestic Content requirement to harvest tax credit (you don't get the credit, they do!)
$133/mo
17.3% More: Get Burned
Home Equity Gained
$0
Net Monthly Benefit
+$51
25-Year Total Cost
$50,000
Payback Period
10.6 Yrs*

Major Issues:

✓
Never own the solar panels
✓
No ownership or equity from the solar system
✓
Zero home value increase
✓
Perpetual payments for 20-25 years
✓
DTI problems affect future financing
✓
UCC-1 liens still apply
✓
Escalating payments (2-4% annually)

Who is this for?

For homeowners who prefer paying rent forever.

Renting vs. Owning Energy

A solar lease is just swapping landlords. You're still renting energy, just from a different company. Clear-Title Solar™ means you OWN the system and build equity.

Solar Lease = Still Renting
Swapping one landlord for another
BEFORE LEASE
Pay Utility Company: $210/mo
AFTER LEASE
Pay Solar Company: $133/mo
Escalates 2.9% annually
25-Year Reality:
Year 1: $133/mo Year 10: $174/mo Year 15: $202/mo Year 25: $250/mo
✗ Total paid: ~$50,000
✗ Equity gained: $0
✗ You own: Nothing
✗ Still paying rent to a landlord
Clear-Title Solar™ = Ownership
Turn sunshine into equity
BEFORE SOLAR
Pay Utility: $210/mo
AFTER CLEAR-TITLE SOLAR
Pay Mortgage: $127/mo
Fixed forever (tax-deductible)
25-Year Reality:
Year 1: $122/mo Year 10: $122/mo Year 15: $122/mo Year 25: $122/mo
✓ Fixed forever - NEVER increases!
✓ Total paid: ~$35,100
✓ Equity gained: +$20,650 (Day 1!)
✓ You own: The entire system
✓ Building wealth, not paying rent
The Bottom Line
Stop Renting. Start Owning.
With a solar lease, you're still a renter paying someone else. With Clear-Title Solar™, you own the system, eliminate utility bills, and build $20,650+ in instant equity.