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Some solar leases and power purchase agreements include an annual escalator. Not every agreement does, terms vary by provider and by contract, so the only way to know for certain is to review your actual proposal. Here’s what a 3.5% annual escalator does to a $200 monthly payment, shown for illustration only:
|
Point in Agreement |
Fixed $200/mo | $200 with 3.5% Annual Increase |
|---|---|---|
Start |
$200 |
$200 |
After 5 increases |
$200 |
$238 |
After 10 increases |
$200 |
$282 |
After 10 increases |
$200 |
$335 |
After 20 increases |
$200 |
$398 |
After 25 increases |
$200 |
$473 |
HomeLink Solar offers both a solar subscription (lease or PPA) and a cash-purchase ownership option. Compare the exact proposal in front of you, not just the company name.
| Comparison Area | HomeLink Positioning | Sunrun's Publicly Stated Model | Safe Takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company model | Southern California-focused solar and battery provider | National solar and battery company | Local specialization vs. national scale |
| Solar options | Ownership, fixed-payment, and applicable program options, subject to qualification | Subscription lease and cash purchase options | Compare the exact proposal, not only the company name |
| System ownership | Homeowner ownership available | Subscription systems are owned and maintained by Sunrun; cash systems are homeowner-owned | Ownership affects incentives, maintenance, and future transfers |
| Monthly payment | Can emphasize fixed-payment options where offered | Describes its lease payment as locked in, but actual contract terms must be reviewed | Confirm whether any payment increases are written into the proposal |
| Escalator | Can offer or emphasize zero-escalator structures where available | Do not claim a standard Sunrun escalator without the customer's contract | Compare Year 1, Year 10, Year 20, and total contract cost |
| Installation | Use "in-house" only when every relevant trade is verified as employee-performed | Operates at national scale and may use different fulfillment models by market | Identify who is installing, permitting, and servicing the project |
| Battery options | Custom battery sizing based on usage and backup goals | Offers Tesla, Lunar Energy, and FranklinWH equipment, depending on location and package | Do not claim Sunrun offers only one battery brand |
| Battery design | Emphasize usable storage, output, backed-up loads, and future consumption | States that battery recommendations depend on home usage and backup needs | Compare the actual battery count and configuration |
| Monitoring | Local HomeLink support plus manufacturer monitoring, depending on equipment | Promotes 24/7 system monitoring | Differentiate through response ownership, not monitoring alone |
| Maintenance | Depends on ownership, manufacturer, and workmanship warranties | Maintains subscription systems; purchase customers are more responsible for system care | Subscription service can be a real Sunrun advantage |
| Transfer at sale | Depends on financing and ownership structure | States its subscription can transfer to a new homeowner | Compare transfer, payoff, assumption, and buyout language |
| Tax credit | Typically belongs to the eligible system owner | On a Sunrun-owned subscription, Sunrun or its financing partner generally receives ownership-related incentives; purchase customers may qualify themselves | Phrase carefully and advise tax consultation |
| Service model | Local team and escalation path | Centralized national support structure | Proximity and direct accountability |
| Contract review | Free side-by-side proposal or contract review | Provides its own proposal and agreement | Strong HomeLink conversion offer |
Whether it’s from Sunrun or anyone else, here’s exactly what a HomeLink energy advisor walks through with you, free, with no obligation.
Whoever you choose, these are fair questions to ask before you sign.
Signing doesn’t always mean every option is gone. Cancellation rights depend on when and where the agreement was signed, whether work has started, and the contract’s terms. California contracts commonly include cancellation disclosures, but you should review your exact agreement immediately, or have someone review it with you.
Pricing depends on your home, your usage, and the specific proposal in front of you. HomeLink's Southern California-only focus keeps overhead lower than a national provider, which often allows for competitive fixed-payment options. The only way to know for certain is to compare your actual Sunrun proposal side by side with a HomeLink quote, which is exactly what our free proposal review is for.
No. Some Sunrun leases and power purchase agreements include an annual price escalator, and some don't. It depends on the specific agreement, market, and program. Review your exact contract, or upload it for a free HomeLink review.
Yes. Alongside its subscription (lease or PPA) products, Sunrun also offers a cash-purchase option where the homeowner owns the system directly.
Not exactly. In a solar lease, you pay a recurring amount for use of the equipment. In a power purchase agreement (PPA), you typically pay for the electricity the system produces at a set per-kWh rate. Both are subscription structures where Sunrun, or its financing partner, owns the system, but the payment structure works differently.
On a lease or PPA, Sunrun or its financing partner owns the system. On a cash-purchase agreement, the homeowner owns the system outright.
Sometimes, but it depends on timing, location, whether work has started, and your contract's specific terms. California contracts commonly include cancellation disclosures. Review your exact agreement, or have a HomeLink advisor look at it with you.
Many leases and PPAs include a buyout provision that lets you purchase the system outright at a specified point in the contract. The exact cost and timing are outlined in your agreement.
This depends on your financing and ownership structure. Owned systems typically transfer with the home or the remaining loan is paid off at sale. Leases and PPAs may require the buyer to qualify for and assume the agreement, or you may need to buy it out first.
Not automatically. Ownership generally means more responsibility for maintenance but more access to incentives, while a subscription can include provider-handled maintenance in exchange for not owning the equipment. Which is "better" depends on your priorities, not a universal rule.
Sunrun has offered battery options including Tesla Powerwall, Lunar Energy, and FranklinWH, depending on your location and the specific package offered. Confirm which battery, and which exact configuration, is written into your proposal.