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I have been reading a lot about this and the lease seems like a better deal for the solar company then you. You don't save that much by leasing.
Buying can range from 20-50K depending on how extensive the install.
The tax break is probably the best part of the deal. It is doubtful you will produce the bulk of your power needs here, but it will take some sting out of your bill if you invest 30K upfront...so is it really worth it? Also, they are going to change the rate at which they buy back power. They have been buying back power at the same rate they charge you but there is a lot of monitoring and fixed cost equipment which belongs to the power company which needs to be maintained. Now that everyone one is jumping on this "free" bandwagon the power company is going to pass on some cost of equipment and upkeep to you, the "local power provider". All I am saying is don't think that the rate the power company is paying today will be the same in the future...they will be paying a lot less to buy it from you then when you buy it from them. I have seen some numbers and they are shockingly low and people are fighting it, but it will change. So the pay-back will be more.
Also I think they reduce the value of your home. They are kind of ugly, and they are a time bomb of sorts, they will be obsolete before they expire and they will need to come off.
I have seen some shingles that produce power but they are not as efficient and are a bit more costly but they look much nicer.
I am holding off. It is not like it will eliminate my bill. I use about 1500 mwh/ month on average with peak demand of 2100 or so in the summer. The number of panels I need exceeds my southern facing roof space. Lastly, I think given our latitude I don't think there is a great pay off up here. Yeah you can generate some power but you are not going to pay for any big part of it in the winter without covering your entire yard.
IMO if they didn't have the tax break there would be no point whatsoever but the tax break makes it somewhat appealing.
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