Austin Energy adds residential solar leasing option
April 22, 2026
Austin Energy is taking its industry-leading solar programs a step further by supporting the option for customers to lease residential solar equipment.
Solar leasing is an agreement where a residential customer pays a monthly fee to have a solar panel system installed on their property — benefiting from the solar production — while a third-party commercial company owns and maintains the equipment.
The new pathway helps more Austin Energy customers access the benefits of rooftop solar with low or no upfront costs, while ensuring clear, consistent disclosures and robust education tools at every step.
Residential customers:
- Receive Value of Solar credits on their Austin Energy bills for their solar generation.
- Lease solar equipment from a third party, usually for 20-25 years.
- Leverage eligible federal tax credits.
- Receive Austin Energy’s Solar Rebate of $2,500.
“Solar should be simple, safe and a smart investment for households,” said Tim Harvey, Austin Energy Director of Customer Energy Solutions. “By pairing residential solar leasing with strong consumer protections — like our Home Solar Guide, Solar Rebate quiz and standardized disclosure form — we’re making it easier than ever for customers to go solar with confidence.”
Why Austin Energy is Supporting Solar Leasing
- Leasing lets customers enjoy the environmental and bill-saving benefits of solar without purchasing a system outright.
- Low or no upfront cost makes it easier for homeowners to get started.
- Leasing enables a path for residential homeowners to leverage commercial solar tax credits.
- A well-structured lease, paired with strong consumer protections and clear education, can be a good option for many homeowners.
- This option allows Austin Energy to support Austin’s solar installation industry through shifting policy landscapes.
Strong Consumer Protections & Education
Austin Energy’s solar program is built around transparency, informed choice and customer safety. Before enrolling, customers have access to:
- Home Solar Guide — A plain-language overview of how solar works, typical costs and savings, and the differences between owning and leasing.
- Austin Energy Solar Rebate Quiz — A short, required module that ensures customers understand key concepts like system sizing, contracts, performance and bill impacts.
- Standardized Disclosure Form — A clear, comparable summary of lease terms, including payment structure, escalators (if any), maintenance/repair contacts, performance expectations and end-of-term options.
These award-winning tools help customers understand their rights and responsibilities, avoid surprises, and compare offers apples-to-apples.
How to Get Started
Explore the Home Solar Guide on Austin Energy’s website to decide whether owning or leasing best fits your goals. Then, take the Solar Rebate Quiz, shop for a participating contractor, and apply for a rebate.
Local Solar and Austin Energy’s Resource Generation Plan
Rooftop solar expansion is a key component of Austin Energy’s Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan. To learn more about solar rebates for homeowners visit AustinEnergy.com/HomeSolar.