Get a commercial solar finance quote, route by route
Tell us about your site in four short steps. We model every funding route against your numbers and reply by email with comparable, costed quotes.
How to read a commercial solar finance quote
Two quotes for the same system can look very different and still cost the same, or look similar and cost thousands more. The aim of this page is to give you a checklist for reading any finance quote, whether it comes from us or from a funder you approached directly. It is general information, not tax or financial advice.
What every quote should show
- The cash price of the system, split into panels, inverters, mounting, installation and any grid work, so the lines can be compared.
- The deposit, if any, and the term in months.
- The payment amount and frequency, and whether it is fixed or linked to an index.
- The APR and the total amount payable over the whole term, including fees.
- Who owns the system during the term and at the end.
- What happens at the end: transfer of ownership, an option to purchase, a rental extension or removal.
If any of these is missing, ask for it in writing before you compare. A quote that shows only a monthly figure cannot be compared with anything.
APR and flat rate: a worked example
A flat rate is calculated on the original amount for the whole term, while an APR is calculated on the balance that is still owed. The difference matters. These figures are illustrative arithmetic, not a market rate.
- Borrow £100,000 over five years at a 5% flat rate: interest is £25,000, the total payable is £125,000 and the payment is £2,083.33 a month. That is equivalent to an APR of about 9.2%.
- Borrow the same £100,000 over five years at an 8% APR: the payment is £2,027.64 a month and the total payable is about £121,658.
The 5% flat-rate offer looks cheaper and costs about £3,300 more. Always compare the total amount payable over the same term, not the headline rate.
Fees and clauses to look for
The headline price is only part of the cost. Check each quote for the following, and ask the funder to confirm in writing which apply:
- Arrangement, documentation or option-to-purchase fees, and whether they are added to the loan or paid up front.
- A balloon or residual payment at the end of the term.
- Early settlement terms: whether you can repay early, and the charge for doing so.
- A personal guarantee from a director, or a charge over company assets as security.
- Payment indexation: whether the rental or PPA price rises each year, and by what measure.
- Who insures and maintains the system, and who pays if the inverter fails.
- On a leased building, whether the landlord must consent, and what happens to the system if the lease ends.
Comparing different routes like for like
Buying, hire purchase, a loan, a lease and a PPA are not directly comparable by monthly payment. The fair test is the total cost over the same period, after tax, set against the electricity you expect to save. The tax position differs by route: an owner can claim capital allowances, while under a lease or PPA the funder usually claims. Our guide to solar panel capital allowances explains how that works, and the route comparison sets the options side by side. To try your own numbers, use the finance calculator. For funder-specific checklists, see comparing commercial solar lenders and comparing hire purchase quotes.
Questions to put to every funder
- What is the APR, and what is the total amount payable including every fee?
- Is there a balloon, residual or option fee, and how much?
- Can I settle early, and what does it cost?
- Do you need a personal guarantee or security over other assets?
- Who owns the system at the end, and who claims the allowances during the term?
- Does the price rise during the term, and how?
What happens when you send the form
We read the details you send, work through the funding routes against your electricity spend and site, and reply by email. We are a comparison and quote service, not a lender or a financial adviser. We do not promise a callback time or a named installer or funder, and we will say if solar does not suit your site. Read more in the finance routes overview and the FAQs.
Frequently asked questions
Is a flat rate the same as an APR?
No. A flat rate charges interest on the original amount for the whole term, so it understates the real cost. An APR reflects the falling balance. Ask every funder for the APR and the total amount payable, and compare those.
What is a balloon or residual payment on solar finance?
It is a lump sum due at the end of the term, or a final value the funder expects the system to hold. A lower monthly payment can hide a large final payment, so ask for the full payment schedule including the end of term.
Who claims capital allowances on a lease or PPA?
Usually the owner of the system. Under a lease or PPA the funder owns the panels and normally claims, so compare quotes after tax by route and confirm the treatment with your accountant.
Does this site lend money or pick an installer for me?
No. This is a comparison and quote service, not a lender or financial adviser. We reply by email with the numbers for each funding route, and we do not promise a callback time.