How to pay for solar and battery in 2026, without the lease trap.
GoGreen Financing pools rates from a panel of 10 California credit unions on standardized terms. We help you pick the best fit, you own the system from day one. RCH is not the lender.
The federal tax credit expired. The math still works. Here is how.
The 30 percent federal solar Investment Tax Credit expired December 31, 2025. Cash-up-front projects now have a longer payback than they did a year ago. Most homeowners who go solar in 2026 finance the install instead of writing a check.
The thing the lease companies do not want you to know: financing through a credit union and owning the system still beats leasing for almost every homeowner who plans to stay in the home five years or longer. You build equity, you keep the production value, and you keep the resale benefit when you sell.
GoGreen Financing is the cleanest path we have found for our clients. It is a state-supported program. The lenders on the panel are real California credit unions. The terms are standardized so you can comparison shop without legal homework. And RCH is not the lender, so we have no incentive to push you toward one credit union over another.
State-supported financing through California credit unions.
GoGreen Financing is funded by the California Public Utilities Commission and the four investor-owned utilities (PG&E, SDG&E, SCE, SoCalGas). It pools rates from 10 California credit unions, all underwriting solar and battery loans on the same standardized terms. Verified directly from gogreenfinancing.com/solarlenderrates on May 10, 2026.
3.58%
Lowest APR (Cal Coast, 0-30 month term)
$75K
Maximum loan amount
20 yr
Maximum term length
580+
FICO floor
10 California credit unions, one set of standardized terms.
Every lender on the panel underwrites to the same GoGreen guidelines. APR, loan amount caps, and qualification details vary by lender. The 5 lenders below are eligible to borrowers anywhere in California; 5 more on the panel are limited to specific counties or affiliations. We help you pick the best fit for your loan amount, term preference, and FICO. Rates verified May 10, 2026.
Source: gogreenfinancing.com/solarlenderrates, verified May 10, 2026. Rates change. RCH is not the lender. Customer applies directly with the GoGreen lender.
Download rate sheet (PDF)Estimate your monthly payment.
Choose a project size and term. The estimator uses California Coast Credit Union's lowest qualifying APR for the selected term, since they are the San Diego based lender on the GoGreen panel. Other lenders may offer lower or higher rates depending on your loan amount, term, and FICO. This is a rough estimate, not a quote.
Term length
Estimated monthly payment
$249/mo
At 6.98% APR (Cal Coast Credit Union, lowest qualifying rate for this term)
This is a rough estimate, not a quote.
Real project pricing varies. Actual numbers depend on roof condition, electrical service capacity, system design, shading, equipment selection, and 12 months of bill data. The calculator uses California Coast Credit Union's lowest qualifying APR for the selected term as a representative example; other lenders on the GoGreen panel may offer lower or higher rates. Your actual rate depends on FICO, current market, and lender selection at application time.
For an accurate quote, we need recent SDG&E bills and photos of your roof and electrical panel. Call (858) 215-1239 or request a free site assessment.
Lock in your real quote.
Your calculator selection stays right here while you fill out the form. Mention it in the project description, or just submit your details and we will follow up to confirm exact numbers within one business day.
Your selection from the calculator
Why we do not push leases or Power Purchase Agreements.
Big national solar companies push leases and PPAs because they keep the long-term equity for themselves. You get a slightly cheaper monthly bill in year one. They keep the production value, the equipment, and the resale benefit for the next 20 to 25 years.
When you finance through GoGreen, you own the equipment from day one. The system pays itself off in 6 to 8 years. After that the panels keep producing for another 15 plus years for free. If you sell the home, the equipment is yours and adds documented resale value (Lawrence Berkeley Lab puts this at $4 to $5 per installed watt; on a 6.5 kW system that is roughly $20,000 to $30,000 in home value at the time of sale, in addition to the energy savings you accrued while you lived there).
For almost every homeowner who plans to stay in the home five years or longer, owning beats leasing. The exception is renters or short-term owners; we will tell you so honestly if your situation calls for it.
Four steps. We are not the lender.
RCH is the contractor. The credit union is the lender. We help you choose the right lender; you handle the application directly with them.
01
Free site assessment
Send us your last 12 months of SDG&E bills plus a few photos of your roof and electrical panel. We size a system to your real usage, not a generic calculator.
02
Quote with exact numbers
Project price, equipment list, timeline, warranties. We share which lender on the GoGreen panel is the best fit for your loan amount, term, and FICO.
03
You apply with the lender
Direct application with the credit union of your choice. Most approvals come back within 1 to 2 business days. We can answer questions but cannot lock the rate.
04
Install and commissioning
Single permit, single inspection, single install crew. C-10 license, no subcontractors. Tesla Certified for Powerwall and Wall Connector. RCH 10-year workmanship warranty.
Common questions about GoGreen financing.
What credit score do I need to qualify for GoGreen solar financing?
GoGreen lenders approve borrowers with FICO scores starting at 580. Loan amount caps tighten at lower FICO bands. For example, Self-Help Federal Credit Union approves up to $25,000 for FICO 580-679 and up to $50,000 for 680+. Higher FICO scores generally qualify for the lower end of each lender's APR range.
Do I have to put my house up as collateral?
No. GoGreen solar and battery loans are unsecured. There is no lien on your home. The loan does not show up on title. If you sell the home, the loan stays with you, not the buyer.
Can RCH lock my interest rate?
No. RCH is the contractor, not the lender. We help you choose which credit union on the GoGreen panel is the best fit for your loan amount, term, and FICO. You apply directly with that lender and they set your rate at application time. Rates change.
What is the longest term I can finance over?
Most lenders on the panel offer up to 20 years for solar plus battery loans. Some require a $25,000 minimum loan amount for 20-year terms. Solar-only loans generally cap at 15 years. Shorter terms have lower APR but higher monthly payments.
Will my SDG&E bill cover the loan payment?
Often yes. A typical 800 to 1,000 kWh per month home on SDG&E standard residential rates pays around $365 to $457 per month at the January 2026 rate of 45.7 cents per kWh. A solar plus Powerwall bundle at $23,724 financed over 15 years at California Coast Credit Union's lowest qualifying 6.98% APR runs around $213 per month.
Can I pay off the loan early without a penalty?
Yes. All GoGreen lenders allow prepayment with no penalty. If you sell your home, refinance, or come into cash and want to pay it off, you can do so without fees.
How accurate is the calculator on this page?
Rough estimate only. It uses verified GoGreen rates as of the date stamped above plus standard amortization math at the lowest qualifying rate per term. Your actual rate depends on FICO, lender selection, current market, and qualification details. Real project pricing depends on roof condition, electrical service capacity, system design, shading, and 12 months of bill data. For an accurate quote we need to see your bills and photos.
Want exact monthly numbers for your home?
Send us your last 12 months of SDG&E bills and a few photos of your roof and electrical panel. We will size a system to your real usage and pull current rates from the GoGreen panel for your loan amount, term, and FICO.
Ian Crilly
Residential Manager, RCH Renewables, C-10 Licensed (#1108682)
Last updated: May 2026