⚠️ 2026 update on the federal tax credit
The 30% federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired on December 31, 2025 for systems you buy with cash or a loan. Cost and savings figures on this page that assume that credit may be out of date. Two things still apply: Nevada's sales-tax and property-tax exemptions and NV Energy net metering, and systems on a lease or PPA may still qualify for a federal incentive through the end of 2027. For numbers that reflect today's incentives, book a free review and talk to a tax professional about your situation.
Quick answer: SunRun is the largest residential solar company in the U.S. and is heavily oriented around leases and PPAs. An independent agent like me works with multiple installers and tends to push ownership financing so you keep the equity and the surviving Nevada incentives. Heads up: the 30% federal tax credit expired December 31, 2025 for purchased systems — it now survives only on lease/PPA deals through 2027, where SunRun keeps it. If you want zero-down with no upfront cash, SunRun's model fits cleanly. If you want long-term equity in the system, the agent model usually pencils better.
Who SunRun is
SunRun is a publicly traded company — you can read their model and risk factors directly in their SEC filings. Their core product historically has been third-party-owned solar: lease and Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). They install, they own the panels, you pay a monthly bill that's lower than your projected utility bill.
Nothing wrong with that as a product. It's just a specific product, and it's not always the best one for the homeowner.
Who I am
I'm Daniel — independent solar agent based in Las Vegas. I don't have a single product to sell. I work with installers I've vetted, and I run financing through partners that offer cash, loan, lease, and PPA. The financing path I recommend depends on your situation, not my comp plan.
Side-by-side
| Factor | SunRun | Independent Agent (me) |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | National price book; lease/PPA dominant | Multiple installers bid the job |
| Federal tax credit status | Survives on lease/PPA through 2027 — SunRun keeps it | Gone for cash/loan since 12/31/2025 — see IRS Residential Clean Energy Credit |
| Install quality control | SunRun crews or sub-contracted partners | I pick the installer per job |
| Customer service responsiveness | Corporate call center | Direct line to me |
| System size pressure | Rep commission scales with size | I size to actual usage |
| What happens at home sale | Lease/PPA must transfer to buyer; can delay closing | Owned system conveys with the house |
The lease/PPA question
The FTC's consumer guide on solar leases is the best neutral resource I've found. The key points:
- The third party — not you — owns the panels
- The third party — not you — claims any federal credit (lease/PPA still qualify through 2027; purchases no longer do)
- Most leases have an annual escalator clause (typically 1.9–2.9%)
- The lease must transfer at home sale, which sometimes spooks buyers
A lease or PPA can still capture a federal incentive through the end of 2027 — but the third party pockets it, not you. For a purchase, that 30% federal credit is simply gone after December 31, 2025. Even so, with a 7–10 year horizon ownership almost always wins on lifetime cost: you keep Nevada's sales-tax and property-tax exemptions, full net-metering value, and you lock your own generation cost against rising NV Energy rates.
NV Energy net metering and how that interacts
Nevada's net metering rates are set by the PUCN and administered by NV Energy. NV Energy publishes the current rates here. The economics work the same whether you lease or own — but ownership lets you capture the full upside.
Where SunRun genuinely wins
Brand recognition. National footprint. If you move to another SunRun service area, the same company still services the system. They also have a deep monitoring stack and a lot of operational experience after 15+ years in market.
Where the agent model wins
Pricing flexibility. Ownership-first financing. A human who knows your project. Local accountability — if something goes wrong with the install, I'm a 20-minute drive from most of my clients in the LV valley.
What I'd ask SunRun (or any big solar company) before signing
- Is this a lease, a PPA, a loan, or cash? Be precise.
- Who claims the federal tax credit?
- What's the annual escalator on the lease/PPA?
- What happens if I sell the house in year 7?
- What's the workmanship warranty, and is it backed by the company that's actually on my roof?
Internal links
More about how I work · Las Vegas solar guide · California solar
Closing
I'm not anti-SunRun. They're a serious operator with a real product. I just think most LV homeowners are better served by ownership financing through a local agent — keeping the equity, Nevada's tax exemptions, and full net-metering value — than by a national lease. If you want me to run the math on your specific bill, request a quote here.