☀ California Solar Power Purchase Agreements

Solar PPA California 2026:
$0 Down, Pay Per kWh

Powur does not underwrite PPAs directly. Through their platform, California homeowners access $0-down Power Purchase Agreements from two leading third-party financiers: LightReach (by Palmetto) and GoodLeap. You pay for the electricity your system produces at a rate typically 20-50% below your current utility.

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📈$0 down, no upfront cost
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LightReach & GoodLeap financiers
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🔋Provider handles maintenance
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PG&E, SCE, SDG&E eligible
What Is a Solar PPA?

How a California Power Purchase Agreement Works

A solar PPA is the simplest possible structure: a solar company installs a system on your roof at no cost, and you buy the electricity it produces at a set rate that is lower than your utility's rate.

1

$0 Down Installation

The PPA provider installs the system on your home at no upfront cost. You do not own the system. The provider holds title throughout the agreement term.

2

You Pay Per kWh

Each month you pay for the electricity your system produces at a rate set in the contract, typically 20-50% below your current PG&E, SCE, or SDG&E rate.

3

Provider Handles Everything

Maintenance, monitoring, and warranties are the provider's responsibility for the 25-year term. If production drops, they address it.

4

Transferable at Home Sale

The PPA can transfer to the new buyer when you sell. However, the buyer must qualify and agree to assume the contract, which can add complexity to a transaction.

California PPA Providers via Powur

LightReach and GoodLeap: The Two Main PPA Options

Powur does not underwrite PPAs itself. The platform connects California homeowners with two primary third-party ownership financiers offering $0-down PPA structures.

By Palmetto

LightReach

LightReach provides comprehensive solar and battery third-party ownership structures through the Powur platform. Their California PPA includes strict performance guarantees and comprehensive equipment coverage for the term.

  • 25-year minimum equipment warranty
  • Strict performance guarantees
  • $0 down, pay per kWh produced
  • Battery backup options available
  • Top-tier hardware (QCell or REC panels)
  • System monitoring included
Sustainable Finance Platform

GoodLeap

GoodLeap is one of the nation's largest sustainable lending platforms. Their California PPA offers $0-down access to solar with a flat monthly rate for clean energy rather than a per-kWh charge.

  • $0 down, flat monthly rate structure
  • 25-year agreement term
  • Tesla Powerwall 3 available as add-on
  • Transferable to new buyer at sale
  • Coverage for system maintenance
  • Rated among top solar finance platforms
Important for California homeowners: Most Powur-brokered PPAs include an annual escalator of 1.5-3.5%. That means your per-kWh rate increases each year. By year 10, depending on your starting rate and escalator, your PPA payment may exceed your original utility bill. Always request the 25-year payment schedule and compare it to the fixed payment you would have under Propel Financing or Participate Energy.
Full Product Comparison

PPA vs Propel Financing vs Participate Energy

For most California homeowners who qualify for Propel or Participate, those structures deliver stronger 25-year economics. Here is why, side by side.

Feature Propel Financing Participate Prepaid PPA (LightReach / GoodLeap)
Upfront cost $0 down Upfront prepayment (or financed) $0 down
Payment structure Fixed monthly, 25 years One time, then nothing Per kWh or flat monthly
Annual escalation None, fixed for life None 1.5-3.5%/yr typical
ITC savings to you 30-39.2% upfront discount ~30% in prepayment price Retained by provider
System ownership Automatic Year 5 Purchase option Year 6 Never (unless bought out)
Credit check Yes, 660 FICO None Soft check typical
Home sale complexity Simple, tied to borrower Free transfer, no qualification Buyer must qualify and assume
Battery options Enphase IQ Tesla Powerwall 3 Tesla Powerwall 3 (some plans)
25-year cost outlook Lowest (no escalation, ownership) Very low (one payment, no monthly) Highest (escalating per-kWh rate)

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When to Consider Each Option

Who Should Choose a PPA vs Propel vs Participate?

Best for most CA homeowners

Propel Financing

660+ FICO, want $0 down, want ownership path, in EC zip code, monthly payment OK. Delivers the strongest 25-year economics when the 39.2% discount applies.

Learn about Propel →

Best for no-credit or non-EC

Participate Energy

No credit check, prefer no monthly payment, want Tesla Powerwall, or are in a non-EC zip code. Strong long-term economics through single prepayment.

Learn about Participate →

Consider a PPA when

PPA (LightReach / GoodLeap)

You want the simplest possible structure, are in LADWP territory (check eligibility), or cannot qualify for either Propel or Participate. Best for immediate savings in years 1-7 before the escalator erodes the advantage.

(805) 316-7211 to discuss →

California PPA Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a California solar PPA and a prepaid lease?
With a PPA you pay per kilowatt-hour produced, usually with an annual escalator of 1.5-3.5%. Your payment can be higher in year 15 than your original utility bill was. With a prepaid lease like Participate Energy's product, you make one upfront payment and owe nothing monthly for the entire term. A prepaid lease also includes a purchase option starting at Year 6. For most California homeowners, a prepaid lease delivers significantly better 25-year economics than an escalating PPA.
Does a solar PPA affect my mortgage or refinancing?
It can. Some lenders treat PPA contracts as an obligation attached to the property and may factor the payment into your debt-to-income ratio. UCC filings associated with the PPA can also appear on title searches. Propel Financing avoids this because it is a personal loan tied to you. Participate Energy's Prepaid Lease has no UCC lien and transfers freely at sale.
Can I buy out a California solar PPA early?
Most PPA contracts include an early buyout provision, typically available starting in years 6-7. Buyout pricing is usually based on fair market value of the system at that time, which can be unpredictable. Propel Financing's Year 5 ownership transfer is contractually fixed in the original agreement with no additional payment required.
Does NEM 3.0 affect a PPA in California?
Yes. NEM 3.0 reduced export credits significantly, which means less value from grid export. With a PPA, you pay per kWh your panels produce whether you use it or not. Under NEM 3.0, it is more important than ever to size the system to match self-consumption and add battery storage to avoid exporting surplus at low credit rates. Both LightReach and GoodLeap offer battery-inclusive PPA options.
Are PPAs available to LADWP customers?
LADWP customers are excluded from Propel Financing and Participate Energy's programs. PPA availability in LADWP territory varies by provider. Contact us at (805) 316-7211 to discuss options if you are in LADWP territory.
Is Propel Financing better than a PPA for California homeowners?
For most PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E homeowners with qualifying credit, yes. The Propel discount applies 30-39.2% off your system cost before any financing, your payment never escalates, and you own the system outright at Year 5. A PPA starts cheaper but the escalator means your payment grows every year. See the full California financing comparison for 25-year cost projections.

See PPA vs Propel vs Participate
Side by Side for Your Home

Tell us your utility, your zip code, and your monthly bill. We will show you real numbers across all three products so you can pick the one that makes the most sense for your California home.

Takes 2 minutes · No obligation · No credit pull to start