Financing Solar Energy Systems: DoE Guide for Lenders and Consumers

"The Borrower’s Guide to Financing Solar Energy Systems: A Federal Overview", released by the DoE, provides information that can assist both lenders and consumers in financing solar energy systems, which include both solar electric (photovoltaic) and solar thermal systems.

This guide also includes information about other ways to make solar energy systems more affordable, as well as descriptions of special mortgage programs for energy-efficient homes.

Although the sun’s energy is free, special equipment is needed to convert it to electricity or heat for a building. The up-front costs of this equipment can be daunting to consumers and a barrier to new purchases.

Therefore, this guide was prepared to show how today’s solar energy systems can be affordably financed.

http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy99osti/26242.pdf