June 16, 2025, 9:50 am | Read time: 4 minutes
The cost of installing a personal solar system on your roof has steadily decreased in recent years. However, you don’t necessarily have to buy one yourself—you can also rent solar systems. Learn more about this option and which choice might be right for you here.
The dream of owning your own photovoltaic system can be realized for just a few thousand euros. This allows you to generate solar power on your own roof for around ten cents per kilowatt-hour. Typically, the installation company takes care of planning, installation, commissioning, registration, and maintenance of the system. However, for the past few years, there has also been the option to lease a system. The generated electricity can be fed into the grid or used by the owner. At first glance, leasing seems to be the more expensive option. But is that really the case? myHOMEBOOK consulted experts to find out the respective advantages and disadvantages of renting or buying a solar system.
Overview
- What are the advantages of renting a solar system?
- What does the rent consist of?
- What are the disadvantages of the rental model?
- Renting a solar system–what options are available?
- What are the advantages of buying?
- What costs should you expect when buying?
- Is investing in solar energy worth it?
- Tip: Electric car owners save twice
- Conclusion
What are the advantages of renting a solar system?
If you don’t want to invest yourself, you can also lease a photovoltaic system. “Because the lessor is the owner of the system,” said a spokesperson for Zolar, an online provider of solar solutions, in response to a myHOMEBOOK inquiry. They added: “With leasing, you don’t need start-up capital, whereas with buying, you become the owner immediately. In many cases, it is more attractive for homeowners to take on most of the responsibility for the installation. However, whether renting or buying is more advantageous depends on the specific contract terms and the local situation.”
For Zolar, an online provider of solar solutions, the lack of an initial investment is a significant factor for renting solar systems. “Because the lessor is the owner of the system,” a company spokesperson said. The monthly rent depends on individual electricity consumption, the size of the rented PV system, and other factors.
Any solar power that is not consumed is fed into the public power grid. For this, the homeowner receives a feed-in tariff. According to Zolar, this currently remains unchanged for 20 years from the time the system is commissioned. Any additional electricity needed continues to come from the grid.
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What does the rent consist of?
According to Zolar, if owners decide to rent a solar system, the provider usually covers insurance, repair, and maintenance of the system. When planning, components with the best price-performance ratio are chosen to make the solar system as efficient and economical as possible for each individual,” Zolar explains.
- plus costs for residual electricity from the energy supplier
- minus feed-in tariff for excess electricity
By renting solar systems, homeowners can achieve cost savings and protect themselves against rising electricity prices through the lack of an initial investment and the guaranteed feed-in tariff. Although purchasing may require a higher initial investment, the operator becomes independent after the purchase and can benefit from the advantages of their own photovoltaic system throughout its lifespan.
What are the disadvantages of the rental model?
“Initially, the higher price seems disadvantageous,” the Zolar spokesperson explained. “However, there is the possibility that the tenant can take over the system for a symbolic euro at the end of the lease term and continue to benefit from cheap solar power.”
Also interesting: Is a solar system worth it in winter?
Renting a solar system–what are the options?
Roof leasing models are available, where the building owner rents the roof to the PV system operator. In this case, the system does not become the property of the residents. Instead, a service provider operates the PV system and sells the electricity to the residents of the house. After usually 20 years, the PV system can be taken over either free of charge or for a processing fee.
So, whether to buy or rent–both solar system models have their advantages. For example, those who do not want to make a high initial investment but still want to benefit from the advantages of a solar system may find renting more convenient. The comfort of renting a system is also undeniable for homeowners.
Note: For consumers, the German Solar Industry Association provides an overview of member companies. Additionally, the PV calculator from the Energy Agency NRW can help determine if a system is worthwhile.