Capital Purchase (Cash)
Pay for the system outright and keep every penny of saving, export income and tax relief. The highest lifetime return of any route.
- Upfront:
- Full installed cost
- Term:
- No finance term
- Owns it:
- You, from day one
For a lender-by-lender view, see how to compare commercial solar lenders.
Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)
A funder installs, owns and maintains the system on your roof at zero capital cost. You simply buy the power it makes at an agreed rate below your grid price.
- Upfront:
- £0
- Term:
- Typically 10 to 25 years
- Owns it:
- The PPA provider, throughout the term
Hire Purchase
Spread the cost over fixed instalments and own the system outright at the end, while still claiming the full first-year tax relief now.
- Upfront:
- Deposit only (often ~10%)
- Term:
- Typically 2 to 7 years
- Owns it:
- The lender during the term, you at the end
Asset Finance
Lending secured against the equipment itself, delivered as hire purchase or a finance lease. Preserves your other credit lines.
- Upfront:
- Low or none, deposit varies
- Term:
- Typically 3 to 10 years
- Owns it:
- Depends on structure (HP: you at end; lease: lessor)
Operating Lease
Rent the system for a fixed monthly cost with the lessor retaining ownership. Payments are fully expensed through the P&L.
- Upfront:
- £0 to low
- Term:
- Typically 5 to 15 years
- Owns it:
- The lessor, throughout
Commercial / Green Loan
A straightforward cash loan to buy the system outright. You own it from day one and repay the loan separately.
- Upfront:
- £0 (loan funds the purchase)
- Term:
- Typically 3 to 15 years
- Owns it:
- You, from day one
No Upfront Cost / Fully Funded
The zero-capex options in one place. 'Fully funded' is a promise, not a product, it always resolves to a PPA or to 100% finance.
- Upfront:
- £0
- Term:
- Varies by structure
- Owns it:
- Depends on the underlying structure